Career Center

Available Position:               Upper School English Department Chair and Teacher

Department:                            Upper School

Reports To:                               Upper School Division Head

Status:                                        Salaried, Exempt, 10 Months

Date Posted:                            February 7, 2022

Start Date:                               August 1, 2022

About Saint Mary’s Hall

Founded in 1879, Saint Mary’s Hall is an independent co-ed day school serving students and families of all faiths. Since its founding, Saint Mary’s Hall has called four campuses home. Though the faces and structures change over time, the heart of Saint Mary’s Hall endures from generation to generation.

Situated on a picturesque, tree-covered 60-acre bluff above Salado Creek in Northeast San Antonio since 1968, the campus at 9401 Starcrest Drive serves all students in beautiful state-of-the-art facilities. Saint Mary’s Hall is a special place built on strong community bonds, rich traditions, and a culture of belonging for all students. Graduates leave Saint Mary’s Hall confidently armed with the skills, knowledge, study habits, and self-awareness needed to thrive in college and find fulfillment in life.

Position Description: The Upper School English Department Chair will collaboratively create a mission and vision for the department that is aligned with the mission and direction of Saint Mary’s Hall.  The ideal candidate will be academically innovative with a passion for competency-based learning and meaningful application, not only in their own classroom but in their guidance of the department’s curriculum and growth.  Candidates should have an enthusiasm for collaborative practice and engage foundations of positive community membership in their department and curricular engagement. 

The Upper School English Department Chair reports directly to the Head of Upper School.  This position will collaboratively engage in conversations ensuring meaningful K-12 vertical continuity and relevance with Lower School Curriculum Coordinators, Middle School Curriculum Coordinators, and the Assistant Head of School for Academics.   

Responsibilities

Department Chair Requirements

• Lead and facilitate ongoing curriculum reviews that facilitate developmentally appropriate content that holds relevance to our current world, diverse student body, and college preparatory mission
• Collaborate with the Assistant Head of Academics, Head of Upper School, Director of Belonging, and Department members to ensure culturally responsive tenets are foundational to the department’s curriculum, and that classrooms are inclusive spaces
• Lead regular Upper School department meetings to develop best practices and facilitate innovative, research-based teaching strategies that reflect the ongoing trends in the field of discipline specific education
• Collaborate with the Division Head to assign teaching responsibilities to department members in a timely and informed capacity
• Foster a confident and collegial atmosphere within their department and actively encourage interdisciplinary opportunities with other colleagues and Department Chairs
• Partner with Wellness faculty to ensure departmental practices are informed and support students holistically
• Serve on the All School Curriculum Council to review and contribute to the crafting of academic proposals, policies, and practices
• Meet regularly with Division Head and Upper School Academic Team to collaborate and contribute to shared understanding of academic proceedings
• Engage and support colleagues as they pursue opportunities to attend and present at local and national educational conferences
• Support the Assistant Head of School for Academics and Division Head in hiring, training, and mentoring department faculty members.
• Manage the department’s budget in partnership with the Head of Upper School
• Department Chair’s serve for four years in this capacity, with the possibility of a second four-year term.

Teaching Requirements

• Teach five classes in the Upper School, providing effective and professional classroom instruction and relevant assessment
  • To creates space for the additional responsibility of department chair goals, a reduction of other duties or possible stipend will be discussed and collaboratively determined with Upper School Division Head
• Serve as a community advisor to a small group of students
• Assesses students to evaluate their abilities through the lens of growth mindset and global competencies
• Establishes regular and effective communication with students and parents
• Engages regular professional development and growth-based goals
• Participate in required non-classroom activities including parent/teacher conferences, faculty meetings, special activities, and performance events

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree is required (Master’s degree or higher preferred)
• A familiarity with College Board AP curriculum and experience teaching an AP course is preferred
• Must possess a minimum of four years of teaching and or administrative experience
• Previous work in Independent Schools is preferred

Dynamic Leadership

Len Miller joined Saint Mary’s Hall as the 25^th Head of School in July 2020. Len came to San Antonio after a 25-year career in independent schools. He served previously at some of our nation’s top schools, including The Hill School, The Lawrenceville School, and The Shipley School. His tenure has been hallmarked by a deep commitment to the quality of the academic program, the student experience, and the long-term sustainability and growth of the institution. He has been at the forefront of developing innovative academic programs and recruiting and retaining dynamic teachers. Robust, intentional student wellness programs are the result of his collaborative leadership.

Len’s forward-thinking efforts in strategic planning, enrollment, advancement, and fiscal matters have underpinned the overall strength and quality of the schools he has served. As a leader, he strives to empower his leadership team to build programs, effect change, and make significant and meaningful impacts on the students, faculty, staff, and School culture. Len is committed to educating the whole student with a deep focus on connection and belonging among the student body.

 Physical Requirements:

• The ability to work at a desk and computer for extended periods
• The ability to communicate in a clear, concise, understandable manner, and listen attentively to others in a group and one-on-one setting
• The ability to stand for extended periods
• The ability to repetitively stoop, bend, squat and reach
• Work in a rigorous academic environment dealing with a wide variety of physical and mental challenges, deadlines and a varied and diverse array of contacts
• Work primary in a traditional classroom setting
• Work intermittently in outside weather conditions

Other Information:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee.  Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice. 

Interested candidates should submit electronically a cover letter expressing the reasons for their interest in the position and a current résumé.

Dr. Elizabeth Stockdale

Head of Upper School

Saint Mary’s Hall

9401 Starcrest Drive

San Antonio, Texas 78217

jobs@smhall.org