Science Department Chair & Chemistry Teacher

The Science Department Chair is key in providing leadership and preserving the instructional integrity of the department. The responsibility for the quality of instruction and the level of student success rests primarily on the classroom teacher, but the Department Chair, Dean of Academic Affairs, and Principal have the responsibility to assist the classroom teacher in achieving success.

The school is looking for a “highly qualified” individual with a science background who has comprehensive knowledge and expertise in the State Content Standards for Common Core, (California and other states who have adopted the new science standards), Next Generation Science Standards, Advanced Placement requirements in the sciences, and how to assess and evaluate student performance in attaining all standards. The Science Department Chair will provide expertise, guidance, coaching, leadership, and support to promote student success in mastering VMA’s standards and curriculum.

Given current department teaching needs, VMA will prioritize applicants that have a background in teaching chemistry.

Job Goals

• To help department members understand VMA’s instructional goals and the pedagogy used to achieve those goals
• To help new teachers acclimate to the demands of teaching in the science department
• To represent the needs and interests of the science department at school meetings
• To communicate and lead department initiatives as required by the administration
• To lead departmental reflection on curriculum and teaching practices in the pursuit of excellence

Performance responsibilities

• Serve as an instructional leader to promote effective teaching strategies to ensure student mastery of the science standards in the regular programs and in the AP programs for science
• Assist the teachers in aligning curriculum units of study to meet the Next Generation Science Standards  (Could be California) and the AP Board Standards for the science courses
•  Develop, distribute, and assist with the analysis of Common Formative Benchmark Assessments (CFBAs) in science and AP science exams to monitor student progress toward mastery of the Next Generation Content Standards and AP Science Standards with the Dean of Academic Affairs
• Oversee Assessment of Student Performance and Progress programs and assist teachers in using data from these tests to set performance goals and/or adjust teaching objectives
• Work with the department members at the beginning of school to understand and establish specific class goals related to the frameworks for the various science courses
• Work to establish uniform grading practices and inter-rater reliability – rubrics where appropriate
• Develop study guides and model lesson plans in a standardized format to post on the school website
• Work with the department members to plan and monitor data team meetings
• Work with the department members to share best practices in an organized collaborative format
• Teach a set amount of science periods with non-teaching periods to assume chair responsibilities
• Promote and monitor the appropriate use of instructional materials including videos
• Participate in the interview and selection of teachers and to recommend class schedules
• To assist in the interviews and selection of new teachers and provide input on retention
• Survey department members regarding assignment preferences and present information to the administration with recommendations 

Leadership Duties

• Assist in the development of new course outlines aligned to the CA Next Generation Science Standards and AP Board Standards for chemistry, physics, and biology in the future
• Assist in the implementation of new and existing course outlines
•  Support a positive learning environment for the science classes
• Assist in the master schedule and teacher assignments within the department
• Assist in assessing professional development needs of members of the department including development, distribution, and collection of an institutional professional development survey
• Assist department members in the Advanced Placement course audit procedures
• Promote high expectations with all members of the department
• Represent department positions and concerns at to the Dean of Academic Affairs and Principal
• To convene meetings with the department members
• To attend leadership meetings
• To represent the department at parents’ meetings
•  Identify and recommend possible solutions to school/department problems
• Assist in the selection, ordering and distribution of textbooks, equipment and instructional materials and supplies as appropriate to the department and the Academic Affairs’s direction
• Assist in the adoption of new textbooks aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards and AP Science Frameworks
• Assist in the ordering and distribution of department supplies, equipment, and textbook