Website The Branson School
About The Branson School
The Branson School is a coeducational, college-preparatory day school of 345 students, grades 9-12, located in Marin County, California. Branson’s mission is to develop students who make a positive impact in the world by leading lives of integrity, purpose, learning, and joy. Branson is an ever-evolving educational community that challenges and supports students as they grow into confident, thoughtful, ethical people. We encourage students to be brave in whatever they do – in the classroom, on the field, on stage, in the community, even with their peers. Branson also believes that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to create a truly excellent learning environment and a vibrant, caring community. From the classroom, to affinity spaces, to athletics, clubs, and beyond, we aspire to ensure that every member of the Branson community feels a deep sense of belonging and inclusion.
At the heart of Branson is the trusting, dynamic relationship between dedicated teachers and students. The Branson faculty and staff value student-centered teaching and decision-making, continual growth, and collaboration. They respond to challenges with open minds and creative spirits, and they fully participate in the Branson community in a multitude of roles. They are widely regarded as outstanding, innovative leaders in teaching and their areas of expertise. Branson faculty and staff work and collaborate together on our beautiful, 17-acre campus, where a shared sense of purpose and love for their students create a joyful and tight-knit community.
Learn more at branson.org, visit us on social media @bransonschool, or contact us.
Mission Statement
Branson develops students who make a positive impact in the world by leading lives of integrity, purpose, learning, and joy.
Diversity Mission Statement
Branson believes that diversity, equity and inclusion are essential to create a truly excellent learning environment and a vibrant, caring community. We aspire to have every member of the Branson community feel a deep sense of belonging and inclusion.
Core Values
Honor, Purpose, Courage, Kindness
Job Summary
Branson is seeking a Spanish teacher who will also serve as the Language department chair.
Branson’s language program is fully immersive, and at all levels of the program class is conducted entirely in the target language. Spanish teachers should be able to teach at any level but generally tend to teach at two or three levels of the program each year. The teachers of each course work very closely together, collaborating to plan each unit of study, individual lessons and assessments. All language teachers report to the Chair of the Language Department and are expected to collaborate and form a strong team with all members of the department. The Chair will teach three year long courses, fulfill the expectations of the department chair position, serve as an advisor to a group of students in a particular grade, and will perform an additional to be determined duty at the school—options include committee work, coaching, running a student club or organization, etc.
Duties and responsibilities for department chair:
Oversee the implementation of the goals of the Strategic Plan for the department (https://bransonstrategicplan.org/teachingandlearning/)
Oversee the placement of all students into the appropriate language course, especially incoming freshmen.
Create yearly departmental goals based on the Strategic Plan
Assist department members in creating personal yearly goals based on goals of the Strategic Plan
Oversee the scope and sequence of all courses within the department
Ensure that teachers are trained in and employ culturally competent teaching practices
Evaluate each department member at the conclusion of each year based on the following on the evaluation program
Report regularly to the Director of Studies regarding curricular changes and departmental proposals
Guide department members to appropriate professional development each year based on the goals of the Strategic Plan.
Observe classes of all teachers within the department regularly and provide timely feedback
Serve on the Department Chairs group, which meets weekly
Participate in staffing decisions, student course placement, and scheduling decisions as needed
Coordinate standards across classes and between teachers who are instructing the same class
Serve as a “thought leader” for the department by researching and sharing educational trends, best-practices, and educational research related to the department’s curricular goals, current projects and the landscape of secondary education in the discipline.
Ensure that all department materials (curriculum guides, webpages, etc.) are updated and current for each teacher and for the department
Coordinate with the Director of Studies to provide appropriate professional development and examination of pedagogical practices
Hold department members accountable – through motivating, nudging, and inspiring, as well as helping them to see the ‘big picture.’
Relay pertinent information and action items from Department Chair meetings to department members in a timely fashion
Work with the school administration to implement and support school initiatives and keep the school mission at the forefront of all decision making.
Teaching Duties and Responsibilities:
Teach 3 sections of Spanish, with either two or three preparations. All courses are 100% taught in Spanish.
Collaborate closely with the other teachers of each course to develop units, lessons and assessments.
Maintain an understanding of the overall scope and sequence of the Spanish program in order to effectively design curriculum that aligns with the overall goals of Branson’s Language program.
Stress effective oral and written communication in Spanish in all classes and encourage careful listening skills.
Create a safe and inclusive classroom environment.
Treat all students equitably, be sincerely interested in them as individuals, and make a priority of responding to their needs.
Hold high expectations for all students and communicate these expectations clearly and regularly.
Hold students accountable for their actions and their learning.
Engage and encourage students in the active process of learning.
Incorporate appropriate and varied methods, materials, and technologies into teaching.
Give timely, meaningful, and personal feedback on student performance and participation.
Regularly communicate with the department chair, administration and parents about student progress and concerns as they arise.
Serve as a faculty advisor to a group of 8-10 students.
As an active community member, all employees will attend assemblies, staffulty meetings, department meetings, admission events and other required school events including nights and weekends.
Perform an additional extra-curricular duty approved by the school — coaching, advising a student organization, serving on a committee, etc.
Respond to evaluations from supervisors and students professionally and constructively.
Be available to meet with students outside of class to provide academic support.
Be available to meet with students outside of class to provide social, emotional and mentoring support.
The ideal candidate would also be willing to travel internationally with students on occasion.
Key Qualifications and Skills:
B.A. or M.A. in Spanish, or equivalent experience.
An ideal candidate will have significant teaching experience.
Must love working with teenagers, and be understanding and compassionate about the realities of being an adolescent.
Must have a high level of integrity as well as strong communication and organizational skills. A sense of humor is a plus.
Must be interested and conversant in creating a culturally inclusive classroom.
Preference will be given to candidates with experience working with or understanding adolescent development.
Must be committed to academic excellence, interdisciplinary learning, exceptional teaching, and contributing to a dynamic climate for lifelong fitness and wellness.
Able to pass state and federal background check, fingerprinting, and provide a recent negative TB test or screening.
Able to perform all of the physical requirements of being a teacher at Branson.
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
Branson is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity for all applicants, employees, volunteers and interns, and the School makes decisions based on the merits of each candidate. Branson prohibits discrimination based on an individual’s race, color, religion (including all aspects of religious beliefs, observance or practice, including religious dress or grooming practices), sex (including gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender, pregnancy and breastfeeding), sexual orientation (including heterosexuality, homosexuality, and bisexuality) national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, marital status or registered domestic partner status, uniformed service member or veteran status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristics or information, or any other basis protected by law. The School will afford equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants, employees, volunteers, and interns as to all terms and conditions of employment, including, without limitation, compensation, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, discipline, and termination.
For Consideration
We encourage those that align with Branson’s shared commitment to its Mission Statement, Diversity Mission Statement and Core Values to apply by uploading a cover letter, statement of teaching philosophy and resume to Michelle Jones, Director of Human Resources at https://thebransonschool.applytojob.com/apply/sdS5EDSnnp/Language-Department-Chair-Spanish-Teacher-2324-School-Year
To apply for this job please visit thebransonschool.applytojob.com.
