Director of Faculty & Curriculum, Upper Elementary

The Director of Faculty & Curriculum, Upper Elementary supports the school’s mission as the leader of the Po‘e Ka‘ahele, 6th Grade and Specialist faculty and is responsible for their level of engagement, empowerment, and professional development as well as for the oversight of the educational program and day-to-day operations in the upper elementary and specialist programs. The Director of Faculty & Curriculum, Upper Elementary reports to the Head of School. 

The Director of Faculty & Curriculum has comprehensive responsibilities as described below. 

School Profile

www.hanahauoli.org

Hanahau‘oli is an independent school with 221 students in Junior Kindergarten through 6th grade. Junior Kindergarten and 6th grade are self-contained classrooms of 27 students, while K/1, 2/3 and 4/5 are multi-age learning spaces. Since the school’s founding in 1918, Hanahau`oli School’s mission and beliefs are grounded in progressive philosophy and teaching methods.  Hanahau‘oli honors the natural way children learn – through doing – by making learning exciting, challenging and enjoyable.     

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Teaching & Learning

• Maintain congruency between the school’s mission and the Po‘e Ka‘ahele, 6th Grade, and specialist programs.

• Monitor curriculum integrity, alignment, and articulation JK through 6th Grade, especially regarding thematic units of study and integrated skills, and the school’s mission and progressive philosophy.

• Coach, problem-solve, support, and collaborate with faculty in areas of curriculum development, classroom management and environment, communication, teaching strategies, and assessment. Partner with faculty in evaluating and selecting instructional materials to meet student learning needs. 

• Offer co-teaching opportunities and/or model lesson observations of instructional practices. 

• Research and share professional development opportunities for faculty. Plan and execute professional development sessions as part of the Entering Teacher Cooperative, school-wide initiatives, faculty meetings, Week Before Children and Week After Children, and other professional development teacher workdays. 

• Leverage teachers’ strengths to achieve the school's promise and goals.

• Stay up-to-date on best practices in progressive philosophy, pedagogy, curriculum development, assessment, and child development. Maintain a personal, relevant, and current collection of data-informed/research-based resources to share with faculty both at a school-level and in response to specific contexts.

• Review student work, curriculum documents, assessments, progress reports, parent communications, etc., on a regular basis. Use this data to inform decision-making, provide feedback, and support consistent application of both school vision and vertical alignment.

• Function as the chief articulator of the Po‘e Ka‘ahele, 6th Grade and specialist programs, expectations, behavioral guidelines, and other information necessary to ensure that all constituencies are fully informed and consistent with their individual roles.

• Observe, supervise, and evaluate the faculty in Po‘e Ka‘ahele, 6th Grade, and the specialists to support faculty in reflection, learning, growth, and renewal as well as to ensure that teachers are familiar with and adhere to school policies.

• Ensure that the Po‘e Ka‘ahele, 6th Grade, and specialist programs clearly connect with the school mission, school-wide learning outcomes, school initiatives, and means of assessment.  

• Work as a team with the Director of Faculty & Curriculum, Lower Elementary. 

• Cultivate and sustain a learning climate and community that is supportive and which reflects high morale.

• Be aware of the educational, physical, social, and psychological needs of the Po‘e Ka‘ahele and 6th Grade school community and develop plans for meeting these needs. 

• Strive for unity, harmony, and cooperation through tact, helpfulness, respect, and a recognition of individual differences and the special abilities and strengths of each teacher. 

• Conduct regular meetings with faculty which will deal both with routine school matters and with the stimulating exchange of ideas on issues of educational/philosophical interest and concern. 

Parent Support

• Participate in planning and executing class meetings for parents (i.e. Open House, transition meetings, parent enrichment).

• Support teachers as needed in the creation of communications to parents that are clear, positive, and aligned with school core values and pedagogy.

• Serve as a positive and accessible representative of the administration at school events and in daily operations that interact with and serve families.

Student Support

• Seek opportunities to establish and maintain positive and supportive relationships with students, school-wide.

• Monitor student outcomes, focusing on the upper elementary years.

• Support student problem-solving as needed, in mission-aligned ways.

Administration Support 

• Keep accurate records of meetings, coaching and support, observations, etc.

• Advocate with the administrative team on behalf of teaching faculty as needed.

• Maintain budget and manage purchasing requests for instructional materials and resources (including professional development) as needed and in alignment with curricular goals and values.

• Be a visible presence in all areas of the school; to work toward a resolution of all problems - both routine and unique - as they arise; to keep the head of school informed of the general programs, activities, and problems of the school. 

• Make recommendations to the Head of School regarding the hiring and retention, and the assignment of faculty.

• Take a collaborative leadership role in the accreditation process and annual reviews of strategic plans.

• Collaborate with the Student Support Team to promote and support positive student outcomes.

• Collaborate with the senior leadership team

• Engage in curriculum committee work, serving in leadership roles.

• Keep the entire school community informed of various school programs and activities.

• Assist in the admission process for the interviewing and assessing of applicants for enrollment. 

• Support the school and its leadership.

• Other duties as assigned.

Skills and Competencies:

• Bachelor's degree required, Masters or higher preferred

• Minimum 5 years of experience working in an elementary educational institution, with upper elementary and/or specialist teaching experience/expertise preferred

• Minimum 3 years experience working in a progressive school or ability to demonstrate a strong orientation to progressive philosophy and teaching strategies

• Minimum 3 years of supervisory and/or coaching experience

• Evidence of experience in curriculum design, implementation and reflection/evaluation

• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and use discretion

• Strong written and oral communications skills

• Demonstrated ability to design and lead teacher professional development experiences

• Ability to collaborate with colleagues and constituencies from across the school 

• Ability to plan strategically, and manage school-wide projects and initiatives

• Ability and willingness to work outside of the workday or work week for special programs, events, and meetings are required

• Commitment to social justice and working in and fostering an inclusive community

• Ability to serve as a reliable and trusted partner with high integrity

• Commitment to contribute positively to the overall morale of those within the institution

• Commitment to ongoing learning and professional development