English Department Head, Natick High School Starting Date: July 9, 2026 Overview Responsible for maintaining a program of high‑quality curriculum, instruction, and assessment in the English Department and for being a productive and supportive member of the school’s Leadership Team. Essential Duties Hiring, Retention, Coaching, Supervision and Evaluation of English Department Educators Provides coaching, feedback, and support to English teachers through classroom observations, coaching cycles, mentoring, collaborative planning, and collaborative data analysis. Evaluates department members using the district‑driven evaluation model and in adherence with the Education Association of Natick’s contractual deadlines. Supports new teachers and long‑term substitutes in onboarding, planning, and classroom management. Collaborates with Special Education, Alternative Education, and English Language Learner administrators to support high‑quality instruction in co‑teaching and small‑group English classrooms. Leads the hiring and onboarding process for new English teachers. Coordinates and leads professional development aligned to departmental needs and school goals. Builds and maintains a positive departmental culture. Teaches Two English Classes Aligns instruction to departmental curriculum and rigorous objectives. Employs best practices in ELA pedagogy and models these strategies for other educators. Uses differentiated instruction and sheltered English immersion to support each learner’s engagement and growth. Maintains communication with students, parents, and community, fostering a strong home‑school connection. Curriculum Development and Alignment Leads the design, alignment, and evaluation of the ELA curriculum for grades 9–12. Guides the development and cohesive implementation of common assessments, rubrics, and grading practices. Provides curriculum materials and texts that are on‑grade level, rigorous, and represent diverse voices and perspectives. Collaborates with middle‑school English Department Heads for vertical alignment and continuity. Maintains current standards‑aligned curriculum documents that accurately represent the teaching and learning in English classrooms. Instructional Leadership Develops and articulates a clear departmental vision aligned with school goals and the district’s strategic plan. Leads the implementation of high‑quality ELA instruction grounded in best practices, including differentiated instruction, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and culturally sustaining teaching. Uses data to guide instructional improvement and inform decision‑making. Facilitates regular English Department PLCs and meetings rooted in collaboration, instructional planning, and professional learning. Designs professional development supporting educator growth and aligned with department, school, and district goals. Applies knowledge of current research and theory in English pedagogy to leadership practices. Collaborates with intervention teams to ensure effective support for struggling readers and writers. Collaborates with other instructional leaders to improve literacy instruction across the curriculum. Ensures equitable access to advanced coursework, including Honors and AP English classes. Oversees the English Workshop. General Leadership Serves as the primary point of contact for English Department communication with families, administrators, and community partners. Works with the NHS Leadership Team, principal, and district administrators to implement district, state, and federal initiatives. Fosters a positive school culture. Represents the English department at public forums (e.g., School Committee, PTSO, Parent Nights). Serves as a member of the school’s Leadership, Data, and Department Head teams and contributes to broader school improvement efforts. Collaborates with special education, multilingual learners, and school counselors to ensure inclusive practices. Participates in hiring processes for building‑wide roles and supports design of building‑wide professional development. Department Management Maintains the department’s budget with fiscal responsibility, including procurement of instructional materials and supplies. Maintains annual media and equipment inventory and oversees storage and maintenance of textbooks and supply areas. Ensures teachers adhere to school‑based deadlines, including grade submissions and course recommendations. Coordinates course offerings, scheduling, and placement recommendations in partnership with counseling staff and administrative team. Creates the scheduling and staffing matrix annually for all English classes. Engages in student management in assigned areas and addresses students’ initial placement to English classes. Complies with school regulations and protocols, School Committee and District policies, and applicable state and federal laws and regulations. Other duties as assigned. May be required to attend select meetings or complete other tasks during the summer with compensation per the EAN contract. Qualifications At least five years of successful English teaching experience at the high school level. Current Massachusetts licensure as English Teacher, 5‑12. Massachusetts licensure as either Supervisor/Director‑English or Vice‑Principal/Principal, 9‑12 preferred. At least a Master’s degree, preferably in English, English Education, or Educational Leadership. Prior leadership experience preferred. Strong communication, team‑building, and organizational skills. SEI endorsement required. Essential Skills and Specialized Knowledge A passion for working with adolescents and their caregivers. An ability to multitask in a fast‑paced, supportive environment that nurtures student growth. Knowledge of adolescent development. Strong oral and written communication skills. Flexibility and a strong desire to collaborate. Excellent organizational and data literacy skills. Ability to meet ongoing, time‑sensitive deadlines. Deep knowledge of high school English content and pedagogy, including Universal Design for Learning (UDL), SEI strategies, and differentiated instruction. Ability to reach each learner using a variety of approaches. A strong belief that all students can grow and achieve. Bilingual skills, especially in Spanish and Portuguese, are highly desirable. Work Environment and Physical Requirements Move about classroom, school grounds, office, and/or off‑site locations; may need to move quickly across uneven surfaces. Use technology including phone, intercom, personal computer, projector, scanner, copy machine, calculator, camera, printer, and fax machine. Remain in a stationary position for periods of time. Operate a computer and other school/office machinery. Read material from computer monitor as well as handwritten or printed matter. Maintain files and access school/classroom/office materials. Communicate effectively with students, parents, and other staff in person, via video conference, telephone, and/or writing. Ensure safety of students. Multitask and meet multiple demands from several people. May need to support students with life‑skills development such as eating, cleaning, and toileting. Lifting up to and including 25 lbs. Noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud. The Natick Public Schools do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, color, religion, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, pregnancy and pregnancy‑related conditions, physical and intellectual differences, immigration status, homeless status, or any other class protected by law. #J-18808-Ljbffr