Head of Upper School Science & Upper School Science Teacher
The Chapin School
Application
Details
Posted: 07-Jan-25
Location: New York, New York
Type: Full Time
Salary: $75,000-$130,000 annually
Required Education:
4 Year Degree
Chapin’s Department Heads play a key role as stewards of the School’s Academic Program, providing academic leadership and initiative informed by knowledge appropriate to their disciplines and recent developments in their fields. Working in collaboration with one another within their divisions and across the K-12 school, Department Heads work closely with faculty, Division Heads, and the Director of Academic Program to develop curriculum and support enhancements in teaching and learning practices, seeking to improve the student experience, in alignment with Chapin’s mission.
Chapin’s Department Heads exemplify in their classrooms the qualities that they seek to develop in the faculty, ensuring that content and pedagogy reflect the most recent research and best practices. The Department Head reports to the Division Head and works closely with the Director of Academic Program to ensure vertical alignment of Chapin’s K–12 curriculum.
The Head of Upper School Science is responsible for
collaborating within the department and across the K-12 school for a shared vision and cohesive progression of Science education.
envisioning and executing integrated learning opportunities across disciplines.
leading the professional growth and support of department members.
developing a program of study that inspires students, cultivating a commitment to excellence and a love of science.
teaching three sections of Upper School science - ideally Biology plus either Class 8 Science, Chemistry, or Physics - and serving as an Upper School advisor.
Our next Head of Upper School Science is…
a department leader and mentor who
fosters a collegial and supportive working environment in the department that encourages the free exchange of ideas and information and enables the department to function as a smoothly working, collaborative team.
facilitates department meetings that promote participation from all department members and balances attending to administrative details while providing a forum to engage in meaningful collaboration about teaching and learning.
coaches department members by creating long-term goals with teachers, offering feedback that helps teachers develop their classroom practice, nurturing each teacher’s professional growth, welcoming teachers into her/his/their classroom, and visiting classes regularly to provide ongoing guidance about teaching practices.
ensures that department members understand and follow the academic and social policies and regulations of the School.
a master teacher who demonstrates a commitment to innovation and interdisciplinary curriculum development by
exuding a love for working with a range of learners and believing all students can be scientific thinkers.
leading annual curriculum reviews within the department to ensure vertical continuity and appropriateness of content, skills, and assessment.
collaborating with science Department Heads in Lower and Middle Schools to cultivate program alignment within the context of Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
eagerly seeking out new research in the field of science education.
building and clearly communicating a central vision and purpose of the science program to multiple audiences: students, families, advisors, and department members.
a student-centered educator who values each student’s voice, experience, and history by
understanding and appreciating the Upper School learner within the context of adolescent development.
modeling excellence in teaching and a commitment to ongoing study in the discipline and of classroom techniques, building structures that enable all students to thrive, including students with learning differences, and embracing a range of teaching and learning strategies.
an educator who actively cultivates a classroom and community of belonging by
motivating department members to advance their inclusive teaching practices by modeling such practices and developing a culture where innovative inclusion efforts are the norm.
critically examining departmental practices and policies to ensure they are equitably designed and applied.
A partner to students, colleagues, and parents who
engenders respect from the community in their reliability, sincerity, competence, clear communication, and care.
upholds community standards for self and for department members.
offers evidence-based communication to students, families, and colleagues.
promotes and designs professional development opportunities rooted in current research in the field.
seeks and reflects on feedback, demonstrating the values of personal and professional growth.
How to Apply
Candidates must submit a current résumé and a cover letter that includes responses to the following question by January 31.
What is the purpose of an Upper School science program?
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in science or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
A minimum of 5–7 years of experience teaching science to adolescents.
leadership experience in launching an initiative that required working collaboratively with administrators, faculty, staff, students, and other stakeholders, preferably within an educational community.
an understanding of differentiated teaching models and pedagogical approaches.
OUR MISSION
The Chapin School is dedicated to empowering a diverse, ambitious and resolute community of young women to thrive and lead in their world. Guided by our motto, Fortiter et Recte, Chapin considers bravery, compassion, service and respect for self and others to be fundamental values. We believe that equity, inclusion and collaboration are critical to personal growth. By advancing and deepening each student’s agency, confidence and resilience within an affirming and joyful learning environment, Chapin strives to ensure that each student is emboldened to pursue distinction as a leader and contributing citizen.
ABOUT US
The Chapin School, founded in 1901, is an independent, all-girls day school in New York City currently serving 802 students K–12.
Chapin’s signature Focus Forward strategic plan, which guided our work for more than a decade, intensified Chapin’s historic commitment to offering the most challenging academic curriculum while also teaching the social, emotional and other skills that will set the stage for its students’ success in this century. Chapin’s institutional priorities continue to be imbued with the spirit of Focus Forward. We have fine-tuned our... articulation of the School’s purpose as we approach the third decade of the 21st century. A forward-focused learning community whose symbol is a wheel will never cease to strive toward achieving its vision of cultivating in girls the skills and attributes that will allow them to be brave for themselves and for others.
UNDER ONE ROOF
Chapin’s single building provides a unified learning environment under one roof for all students, the 128 faculty members who teach them and the 85 staff members who support all other aspects of school life. An ambitious construction project to be completed in 2020 will feature an entire floor dedicated to the arts and a gymnasium with suspended running track—all with spectacular views of our urban location. The Hayot Center for Innovation, to open in 2020, will provide our entire learning community the opportunity to extend our commitment to interdisciplinary inquiry-based investigations and explorations, deepening students’ interests through experimentation, invention and the development of out-of-the-box solutions to complex issues.
Our vibrant, inspiring and welcoming new spaces will further our commitment to a forward- focused learning environment that enables all students to embrace the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century to the best of their abilities. With these exciting new spaces as a canvas, we renew our pledge to develop curriculum and pedagogy that reflect current research and best practices, always placing each student at the center of her own learning.
