Director of Curriculum
Regular – Full Time
Internal/External
Posting Date: April 29, 2024
Closing Date: May 12, 2024
Posting # 2024037
Salary
Salary and benefits will be competitive and commensurate with experience.
This is a non – bargaining unit position.
All candidates must hold a valid B.C. TRB Teacher's Certificate and be legally able to work in Canada.
Summary
St. Margaret's School (SMS) is Western Canada's only girl-centered, independent day and boarding school located in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada on the unceded traditional territories of the Esquimalt Nations, Songhees Nations, and W̱SÁNEĆ Nations. Founded in 1908, SMS is an international centre for girl-centered learning and leadership development, providing empowering education for girls from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 (boarding grades 7–12). St. Margaret's School is an International Baccalaureate (IB) School offering the Diploma Program.
Reporting to and working closely with the Principal of Academics and Deputy Head of School, the Director of Curriculum is an IB expert with 5+ years of experience who oversees educational programs, JK-Grade 12. The Director of Curriculum maintains congruency between the Mission, Vision and Value Statements of St. Margaret's School, and alignment with the principles and requirements of the PYP, MYP and DP Programmes, in the leading and shaping of instructional practices at SMS. The Director of Curriculum takes the lead in all aspects of curriculum, including supporting and supervising the IB Coordinators, the STEM-X Curriculum Coordinator, the Nature-Based Pedagogy Coordinator, the Numeracy Specialist, the Instructional Leaders and the IB Administrative Assistant. The Director of Curriculum has a proven background of academic leadership who supports academic and teaching excellence as well as a climate that promotes and celebrates the whole child, fosters student wellness and leadership and encourages each student to participate and contribute with confidence and competence. The Director of Curriculum is a strong pedagogical leader and lifelong learner with experience teaching within an IB school environment, and who embraces and moves forward the mission, vision and values of the school. Working closely with the Educational Leadership Team, they ensure that each student receives a rich and personalized educational experience rooted in inquiry-based, experiential learning that is nurturing, stimulating and challenging. The Director of Curriculum is open-minded, receptive to and welcoming of meaningful dialogue with students, staff and families and promotes a healthy partnership in the education of the whole child. The Director of Curriculum regularly liaises with the Principal of Academics and Deputy Head of School, Vice Principals, the Student Records Coordinator, the IB Administrative Assistant, the External Programs Coordinator. and the wider educational leadership team. The Director of Curriculum is a positive role model to all members of the SMS community and assists in creating cohesion between all areas of the school.
Core Competencies
- Integrity & Trust
- Service Orientation
- Adaptability
- Innovation
- Resilience
- Professional Knowledge
- Communication & Collaboration
Duties and Responsibilities
- Ensure teaching and learning is in line with IB practices and standards and reflective of the SMS vision/mission/values and goals.
- Take the lead in the IB accreditation process, with the support of the IB area coordinators.
- Take the lead role in Professional Development, including:
- Ensure IB Professional Development requirements are met.
- Identify in-service priorities.
- Lead the Curriculum and Instruction Team.
- Identify gaps in teacher learning and matching needs with Pro-D workshops.
- Lead approvals for Professional Development requests.
- Develop and lead in-service Pro-D workshops with the team.
- Track faculty professional learning.
- Create a system of sharing out of professional development attended.
- Take the lead in curriculum development.
- Identify, create and nurture new courses/programs that meet strategic goals and support the IB Program.
- Support teachers with curriculum mapping.
- Coordinate Area meetings and assign leads for each.
- Identify cross-discipline opportunities that enrich the learning experience.
- Take the lead in special programs:
- For example, SPARK interdisciplinary program
- Provide direct support to the Nature-Based Pedagogy Coordinator in the development of a framework and timeline of plans and priorities for nature-based, outdoor education programs that reflect the school's goals towards community and global sustainability.
- Liaise with the Ministry of Education Independent School Branch and any other independent school associations and members regarding academic and curricular trends, issues and interests.
- Liaise with Human Resources, with the support of the Vice Principals and the Director of Personalized Learning and Wellness to:
- Coordinate with HR Manager and Deputy Head on all matters related to Staff/Faculty hiring and discipline.
- Identify HR needs - create postings, do interviews.
- Facilitate the hiring and mentoring of new faculty and staff.
- Take the lead in:
- Updating the School Handbook, School website, Course Selection Handbook and other published materials that share the educational experience at SMS.
- Facilitating the course selection process.
- Creating the JK-Grade 12 timetable, in collaboration with the Deputy Head, the Director of Personalized Learning and Enrichment and the timetable contractor.
- Drafting faculty FTE assignments, including the Deputy Head of School and the Director of Personalized Learning and Wellness in this process.
- Coordinate the Curriculum Evening and related curriculum information sessions.
- Liaise with the Vice Principals, Director of Personalized Learning and Enrichment and Director of Community.
- With the support of the Administrative Assistant JK-12.
- In consultation with the Chief Operating and Financial Officer and the Deputy Head of School, determine and manage the budget related to the allocation of curricular resources for JK-12 Programs.
- Facilitate the ordering of resources.
- Liaise with the External Programs Manager to identify camp and workshop opportunities that support the promotion of SMS curricular values.
- Evaluate job performance of supervisees, in conjunction with other members of the Educational Leadership team.
- Work closely with the External Relations Team in the areas of retention and recruitment.
- Support the Director of Community in the development, communication, coordination and execution of plans for Open Houses and information sessions.
- On behalf of the school, attend Board meetings and retreats as required.
- Participate on the Educational Leadership Team, including co-lead Faculty Meetings with the Principal of Academics and Deputy Head of School.
- Identify topics/themes for discussion, information with related Q&A.
- Develop agenda.
- Ensure minutes are recorded and filed appropriately.
- Awareness and understanding of the social/emotional needs of girls, and research in how girls learn best.
- Superior communication, organizational and interpersonal skills in working with colleagues and parents.
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
Required Education & Experience
- Valid certification by the BC College of Teachers
- Masters degree in curriculum development, Educational Administration, or related field and experience
- Minimum of 5 years of exemplary classroom teaching experience
- 3+ years in a school leadership position
- 5+ years of IB training and experience
- Experience working in an all-girls environment.
- Experience working in an independent school.
- Experience working within a diverse team.
- Experience supporting students with diverse backgrounds and identities.
Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Embodies a growth mindset.
- A lifelong learner - evidence of continued professional growth.
- Excellent interpersonal, public relations and teamwork skills.
- Strong oral, written, facilitation and presentation skills.
- Maintains confidentiality, professionalism and integrity with staff, parents and other community members.
- Demonstrates integrity.
- Initiative to set priorities and identify plans of action and follow through.
- Demonstrated resilience and able to sit in ambiguity.
- Strong organizational and time management skills.
- Desire to form healthy partnerships with parents and families.
- A visionary, big picture thinker and strategic planner.
- Actively supports the vision, mission, and values of our school.
Valued Benefits
A career with St. Margaret's School will offer you the opportunity to be part of dedicated team of professionals in a dynamic and rewarding educational environment. This position is located on the school campus, with access to rapid transit, on-site gym, and other amenities.
St. Margaret's School emphasizes a dedication to equity, diversity, and inclusion across living, learning, and work environments. The school aims to have its workforce mirror the diversity of students and the community. Actively encouraging applications from groups facing historical or current equity barriers, the institution is committed to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive community. Employees needing employment support, technical aids, or accommodations, are encouraged to contact Human Resources [email protected].
Interested candidates are invited to submit an application package, including a covering letter, curriculum vitae and professional references, through Bamboo HR, by May 12, 2024, to:
Questions email [email protected]