High School STEM Department Head

• Lead a consistent, growth-oriented coaching cycle for STEM faculty, including observations, collaborative planning, feedback sessions, modeling, and co-planning support.
• Provide timely, specific, actionable feedback focused on strengthening research-based STEM instructional strategies (e.g., inquiry-based learning, differentiation) and their application in health sciences.
• Model exemplary, standards-aligned STEM instruction (PBL, technology integration, inquiry methods) and offer co-teaching support.
• Guide STEM teachers in setting professional growth goals, refining strategies, developing classroom management techniques, and connecting STEM curriculum to health science applications.
• Serve as the department's primary resource for STEM content, pedagogy, instructional technology, curriculum, and assessment strategies; curate and disseminate relevant resources.
• Balance instructional coaching with formal teacher evaluation, fostering trust while implementing the evaluation system with a focus on growth.

• Establish, facilitate, and sustain high-functioning STEM department PLCs focused on improving student learning and results.
• Guide teams in developing productive norms fostering trust, collaboration, inquiry, and shared responsibility.
• Ensure PLCs engage in continuous cycles of inquiry addressing the four critical questions of learning.
• Lead PLCs in collaborative analysis of assessment data to monitor learning, inform instruction, share strategies, and measure intervention impact.
• Employ effective facilitation strategies to empower teacher voice and leadership within PLCs.

• Oversee the systematic collection, analysis, and dissemination of student achievement data within the STEM department (state tests, benchmarks, common assessments).
• Model and lead teachers/PLCs in interpreting data to identify needs, inform planning/differentiation, group students, and improve practice. Foster a culture of data use for continuous improvement.
• Regularly monitor departmental and student progress towards goals using data. Support teachers in helping students monitor their own learning data.
• Prepare clear data reports for stakeholders to communicate performance and inform planning.

• Lead the ongoing development, implementation, and refinement of a rigorous, aligned STEM curriculum meeting standards and incorporating the health sciences focus (e.g., bioinformatics, biostatistics).
• Guide the selection and effective integration of high-quality instructional materials, lab equipment, technology, and resources.
• Oversee the development, administration, and analysis of common STEM assessments, ensuring alignment and rigor.
• Proactively collaborate with teachers to integrate health sciences concepts, case studies, ethics, and career exploration into STEM courses.

• Develop, manage, and monitor the STEM department budget.
• Collaborate with administration on master scheduling, course offerings, and teacher assignments for the STEM department.
• Serve as the primary communication link between STEM faculty and school administration; facilitate regular department meetings.
• Participate in the recruitment, screening, interviewing, and selection of new STEM faculty; coordinate new teacher orientation and mentoring.
• Ensure departmental understanding and adherence to school policies and procedures.

• Support effective communication between teachers, students, and families regarding the STEM program.
• Maintain readiness to provide substitute instruction for absent department members when necessary.
• Actively participate as a member of the school's leadership team, contributing to school-wide planning and initiatives.
• Engage in ongoing professional development in STEM, leadership, coaching, health sciences, and culturally responsive pedagogy.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Principal.

• Master's Degree in a relevant STEM field OR in Educational Leadership, Administration, Curriculum & Instruction, or related education field.
• Valid state teaching certification/license in a secondary STEM subject.
• Valid state certification/license for School Building Leader (SBL), School Administrator/Supervisor, or equivalent, OR documented eligibility and plan to obtain within a specified timeframe.

• Minimum five (5) years highly effective, full-time secondary STEM teaching experience with a strong track record of improving student achievement.
• Minimum two (2) years significant educational leadership experience (e.g., instructional coach, department chair, team leader) with direct experience coaching or supervising teachers.
• Demonstrated experience leading or facilitating PLCs focused on instructional improvement.
• Proven experience using student performance data to analyze needs, inform instruction, and monitor progress.

• Deep understanding of content and pedagogy in at least one secondary STEM discipline; broad knowledge of STEM standards (e.g., NGSS, CCSS-M) and curriculum frameworks.
• Expertise in evidence-based instructional coaching practices (observation cycles, feedback, modeling, reflection).
• Proficiency in facilitating adult learning and leading collaborative teams, especially within the PLC framework.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret data, guide data dialogues, and support data-informed decision-making.
• Knowledge of current research, trends, and best practices in STEM education, curriculum, technology, assessment, and professional development.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, collaboration, organization, time-management, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with educational technology (LMS, SIS, data analysis tools).
• Strong commitment to the HSCHS mission, vision, and values; understanding of charter school context.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive practices for all students.

• Prior experience teaching or leading in a high school with a health sciences, biomedical, or specialized STEM focus.
• Experience developing/adapting STEM curriculum to integrate health/biomedical science applications, case studies, or ethics; familiarity with bioinformatics, biostatistics, or health informatics.
• Experience with project-based learning (PBL) or inquiry-based learning in STEM.
• Experience in grant writing or managing grant-funded programs.
• Experience establishing partnerships with community organizations, universities, or industry in STEM/healthcare.
• Doctoral degree in a STEM field or Educational Leadership.

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