Ethnic Studies Program Lead

Description

ABOUT LICK-WILMERDING HIGH SCHOOL:

A private school with a public purpose, Lick-Wilmerding High School develops the head, heart, and hands of highly motivated students from all walks of life, inspiring them to become lifelong learners who contribute to the world with confidence and compassion.

At Lick, our treasures are our students, faculty, staff, and families—our people. Collegiality and camaraderie are rich in our community and we pride ourselves in providing opportunities for our community members to lead and be led by each other. We offer highly competitive compensation packages, complete with comprehensive benefits and robust professional development opportunities.

We are a community that values student-centeredness, inclusivity, and lifelong learning. We are actively committed to Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, which we acknowledge is iterative and imperative work. As a community we are constantly learning and applying lessons learnt to improve the quality of the student experience and the well-being of all our community members. We welcome all interested persons to apply.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

We are excited to recruit for this new role that reflects our deep commitment to fostering a more inclusive, equitable, and representative educational experience for all students. This position will play a vital role in shaping the program and supporting our community in this important work.

The Ethnic Studies Program Lead is responsible for both leadership in the development and implementation of the school’s Ethnic Studies curriculum and teaching. This role includes teaching an Ethnic Studies course(s) while providing guidance, professional development, and support to faculty members who are teaching an Ethnic Studies section. The Program Lead will collaborate with administrators, teachers, students, and the community to foster an inclusive and equitable learning environment that centers diverse perspectives and histories.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Leadership & Faculty Support

General Support

• Lead and support faculty in integrating Ethnic Studies principles across disciplines, providing guidance, resources, and instructional coaching.
• Stay informed on emerging research and policies in Ethnic Studies and anti-racist education.
• Manage Ethnic Studies budget
• Oversee curricular decisions for Ethnic Studies in partnership with the  Ethnic Studies Teaching Team. 

Summer Prep

• Collaborate with the Ethnic Studies Teaching Team, Teaching Team Lead to coordinate scheduling for summer planning and curriculum development days.

Youth Participatory Action Resource (YPAR): 

• Build a foundation for archiving histories of LWHS to better contextualize both the strategic planning and long-term action of the YPAR project. 
• Establish and support long-term relationships with community organizations and partners for ongoing YPAR projects over multiple years.
• Lead, and collaborate with the Director of the Public Purpose Program, in the creation of a YPAR PPP project for the 9th grade class

Professional Development (PD): 

• Mentor and support the Ethnic Studies Teaching Faculty.
• Find and coordinate PD opportunities for Ethnic Studies Teaching Team and FacStaff who may be future Ethnic Studies Teaching Team members.

Communication & Partnership with Stakeholders:

• Serve as a liaison between administration, teachers, and community stakeholders to advance Ethnic Studies initiatives within the school.
• Collaborate with the DEI office (Dean of Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging; Director of Student Inclusion) to ensure identity-conscious practices are being implemented and employed in the classroom space by the Ethnic Studies Teaching Team. 
• Lead external communication related to Ethnic Studies updates, initiatives, events, etc. to various stakeholders (HoS, PA, Board of Trustees, etc.)
• Advocate for student voice and leadership in shaping the Ethnic Studies program and broader school culture.
• Stay informed on emerging research and policies in Ethnic Studies and anti-racist education.

Teaching & Instruction

• Teach one Ethnic Studies course, and one other course 
• Develop and implement culturally responsive and student-centered instructional strategies
• Create a safe, inclusive, and engaging classroom environment where students critically engage with content and develop their analytical, research, and civic engagement skills.

Qualifications

JOB SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• B.A. or B.S. degree in appropriate field; M.A. or M.S. preferred
• Experience teaching Ethnic Studies courses, with a strong understanding of intersectionality and interdisciplinary approaches
• An understanding of and commitment to the school’s mission
• A commitment to student-centered education and inclusive classroom practices
• Demonstrates a growth mindset and openness to feedback
• Flexibility and adaptability to meet the needs of the students and program
• Demonstrates knowledge and skill to work with students, families, administrators, and colleagues from diverse backgrounds 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Fierce advocacy for students and their needs
• A willingness to engage across difference with empathy and understanding
• An understanding of your own identity and related positionalities
• The ability to nurture and encourage life-long learning through joyful, authentic, and rich learning experiences 
• A profound openness to giving and receiving feedback for improvement, modeling lifelong learning of practice as well as subject area

TO APPLY:

As part of your application, please upload a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information of three references, one of whom should be a current direct supervisor. References will not be contacted without your prior permission. 

Salary : $110,000 - $130,000