Position: Department Chairperson
Salary Grade: Stipend as per the collective bargaining agreement
Reports to: Principal/Curriculum Coordinator

OVERALL OBJECTIVE AND SUMMARY

The department chair provides instructional leadership and enhances articulation regarding

curriculum alignment with standards. He or she facilitates the development and use of common

assessments in order to determine instructional strategies that will most effectively meet the

needs of students. The duties of the department chair are critical to the overall educational

program and require effective and ongoing communication and collaboration with staff and

administration.

EXPECTATIONS

1. Demonstrate at least overall “proficient” performance in the classroom.
2. Show a willingness and ability to facilitate open, candid, and effective lines of communication with colleagues, parents, and other stakeholder groups.
3. Demonstrate mutual respect and trust among colleagues.
4. Promote positive and productive relationships between colleagues, students, parents, and community.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of the ability to promote positive morale and a willingness to mediate misunderstanding.
6. Demonstrate knowledge of the content and approved curriculum.
7. Advocate for the success of all students. Be knowledgeable of best practices and developments within his/her departmental content area.
8. Demonstrate a willingness to examine student data and facilitate changes necessary to produce efficient and effective practices that will increase student achievement.
9. Follow board policies and administrative rules and regulations.
10. Demonstrate a  culture of continuous learning and improvement.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Demonstrates support to District, school, and department goals. The chair will demonstrate a willingness to examine student data and facilitate changes necessary to produce efficient and effective practices that will increase student achievement, by:
• Having an awareness of the curriculum that is being taught in the classroom by the department members
• Facilitating department discussions on student performance data for the purpose of curricular or instructional modification
• Representing the department’s recommendations for professional development, sharing information with the principal regarding professional development
2. Promote department efforts with implementation of the most current standards and objectives, formative and summative assessments, common assessments for courses, and effective instructional practices.
3. Facilitate all scheduled department meetings. Plan and organize department meetings and submit agendas, attendance and minutes as directed by site administration.
4. Assist with the development and implementation of curriculum for his/her department methodologies, instructional techniques, materials, curriculum and assessment.
5. Facilitate department committees for new text adoptions, and recommend supplementary materials for his/her department.
6. Attend regularly scheduled department chair meetings. Update administration regarding

practices and expectations, classroom methodologies, instructional techniques, materials, curriculum, and assessment. Disseminate information from department chair meetings to teachers.

1. Submits any department budget requests. Facilitates the department discussions regarding the allocation of resources when assigned to the department.
2. Collaborate on behalf of the department with administration and counseling regarding master schedule, course descriptions, articulation, and student placement in the various department courses.
3. Assist short-term substitute teachers in carrying out their assigned duties and communicate any concerns to administration. 
4. Promote efforts to support the success of student teachers placed within the department