Website Windward School
Windward School, a grade 7-12 college-preparatory, independent day school in vibrant West Los Angeles, seeks an experienced educator to join our English Department. Windward faculty and administrative leaders continually seek best practices and educational partnerships to help our students and faculty pursue their passions, engage in cutting edge work, and lead meaningful lives.
Windward’s mission, as a college-preparatory school, is to challenge each student to achieve academic excellence in a nurturing environment. Windward teachers, parents, and administrators work as a team to encourage each student to be responsible, caring, well, informed, ethical and prepared, thus promoting the fullest development of the individual.
The English Department is looking for a dynamic, innovative teacher and leader to join our collaborative team. The successful candidate will have experience as a school leader and teacher at both the middle and upper school levels, as well as experience with collaborative curriculum design. Teaching responsibilities will include four sections with at least two preparations.
Department chairs at Windward play key roles mentoring faculty, stewarding instruction and learning, and promoting innovation in their respective departments. At the same time, they work collaboratively with the other chairs and administrators to ensure the overall academic program aligns with the mission of the school. Department chairs at Windward fulfill the role of teacher and serve in an administrative capacity simultaneously.
In the English Department, students and teachers work together to deepen skills and understandings in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. We read a variety of challenging texts across literary traditions, including poems, short stories, essays, plays, and novels, in a diversity of voices and perspectives. In partnership with reading texts closely and writing across a range of genres, students cultivate increasingly dynamic rhetorical skills, particularly as discussion participants. Courses support and challenge students to better understand their own learning processes and to acquire increasingly sophisticated strategies as learners. Teachers should be able to teach grades 7-12.
Summary of Major Responsibilities
● Provide regular support and mentorship of English Department teachers through collaborative goal setting, monthly department meetings, and regular classroom observations
● Manage departmental budget, facilitate guest teachers, and approve all expenses
● Serve as a communication liaison between faculty and administration, and respond to parent inquiries about teachers, curriculum, or courses in the department
● Teach four sections of English across grade levels
● Design and coordinate curriculum with other members of the department and liaise with other departments; as Chair, lead curricular and pedagogical development of the English Department and facilitate regular review of the department’s scope and sequence
● Monitor and evaluate students’ progress, prepare for parent conferences, craft narrative feedback for students, etc.
● Exhibit knowledge of current trends, pedagogy, research, and topics of importance in language arts education by applying it in the classroom and sharing it with teachers on a departmental and school-wide basis
● Participate in regular, purposeful pedagogy meetings and in professional development sessions
● Participate actively in the life of the school, through attendance at events, committee membership, and leadership of extracurricular activities
● Perform other duties within the scope, spirit, and purpose of the job, as requested by the divisional directors
Essential Qualifications/Experience
● A bachelor’s degree in English Literature or a closely related field, advanced degree preferred
● A minimum of three years’ full-time experience teaching English, six or more years preferred
● Experience in department leadership, curriculum development, and/or other administrative roles
● Readiness to teach four classes
● A demonstrable passion for literature and writing
● Evidence of significant recent professional development
● Excellent technology skills and experience integrating technology into the curriculum
● Experience in a school with a similar philosophy, teaching methods, and curricula to those of Windward; knowledge and understanding of independent school communities preferred
● Willingness to contribute to school life outside of the classroom
● A proven commitment to the safeguarding and welfare of children and young people
Salary Range: $71,350 – $134,860, depending on experience. Please review the Faculty Salary Calculator on our Careers page for additional information.
This is a great chance to be part of a dynamic, close-knit, independent school culture and community.
We offer competitive compensation and benefits, including:
● Medical, dental, vision insurance
● Paid Holidays, Vacation and Wellness days
● Retirement Plan, including up to 6% employer match
● School-paid Life and Disability Insurance
● Flexible Spending Account Plans
● Annual $2,000 FlexCheck
● Annual $2,000 Lunch Allowance
● Access to Peak Performance Center to promote physical and mental health
● Wellness Initiatives
● Employee Assistance Program
● Tuition Remission
● Nurturing, supportive and inclusive community
● And much more!
For more information about Windward School, see our website: www.windwardschool.org.
To Apply: All interested candidates should submit a resume, three letters of recommendation and a letter of interest via the Apply link.
EOE
