What are the responsibilities and job description for the Upper School and Middle School Math Department Chair and Teacher Grades 7-9 position at The Fessenden School?
Job Details
Level
Experienced
Job Location
The Fessenden School - West Newton, MA
Position Type
Full Time
Education Level
4 Year Degree
Job Category
Exempt / Salaried
Description
About Us
The Fessenden School is an all-boys independent day and boarding school serving 540 students in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 9 in West Newton, MA. Our mission is to cultivate each boy’s talents and develop in balance his character, mind, and body in an inclusive and joyful community. For over 100 years, The Fessenden School has offered state-of-the-art facilities, a dynamic curriculum, and programs specifically designed to meet the educational and developmental needs of boys.
Position Summary
The Fessenden School seeks an experienced, innovative, and collaborative individual to serve as Co-Math Department Chair for grades 5 through 9, in addition to teaching three sections of mathematics. This unique co-chair model reflects Fessenden's commitment to cultivating each boy’s talents and providing the right level of challenge and support for every student. In mathematics, this means designing an engaging and rigorous program that meets the diverse needs of all learners. To achieve this vision, the co-chair model allows for thoughtful collaboration between department leaders to enhance curriculum, placement, communication, and professional development while continuing to teach and inspire students.
As a Co-Math Department Chair, you will partner with your counterpart to oversee math placement, collaborate on program design, and lead departmental initiatives, ensuring alignment with our mission. Together, you will engage with division heads, faculty, and families to develop a cohesive, forward-thinking mathematics program and support the professional growth of our math teachers.
This position carries a reduced teaching load to provide time for leadership responsibilities, which include mentoring teachers, aligning curriculum across divisions, and facilitating family communications about our approach to mathematics. Co-chairs also participate in biweekly department chair meetings to collaborate with other academic leaders across disciplines.
Candidates should have at least five years of experience teaching mathematics, a passion for working with boys aged 10 to 15, and a commitment to character education. Ideal candidates will bring energy and expertise to this shared leadership role, modeling the school’s core values of honesty , compassion , and respect while preparing students for academic success.
Position: Upper and Middle School Math Department Chair and Teacher Grades 7-9
Status: Full-Time, Benefits-Eligible, Exempt
Department : Math
Reports to : Head of Upper School and Director of Teaching and Learning
Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30-4:30 pm; Dates: Orientation on August 18 and 19, 2025; School year August 25, 2025 - June 9, 2026
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
Required Qualifications
The Fessenden School Offers
Submit an application through Fessenden’s Career Site. Please include a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.
The Fessenden School encourages applications from candidates with diverse or minority backgrounds.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The Fessenden School believes that each individual is entitled to equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, ancestry, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local anti-discrimination laws.
We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas.
Level
Experienced
Job Location
The Fessenden School - West Newton, MA
Position Type
Full Time
Education Level
4 Year Degree
Job Category
Exempt / Salaried
Description
About Us
The Fessenden School is an all-boys independent day and boarding school serving 540 students in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 9 in West Newton, MA. Our mission is to cultivate each boy’s talents and develop in balance his character, mind, and body in an inclusive and joyful community. For over 100 years, The Fessenden School has offered state-of-the-art facilities, a dynamic curriculum, and programs specifically designed to meet the educational and developmental needs of boys.
Position Summary
The Fessenden School seeks an experienced, innovative, and collaborative individual to serve as Co-Math Department Chair for grades 5 through 9, in addition to teaching three sections of mathematics. This unique co-chair model reflects Fessenden's commitment to cultivating each boy’s talents and providing the right level of challenge and support for every student. In mathematics, this means designing an engaging and rigorous program that meets the diverse needs of all learners. To achieve this vision, the co-chair model allows for thoughtful collaboration between department leaders to enhance curriculum, placement, communication, and professional development while continuing to teach and inspire students.
As a Co-Math Department Chair, you will partner with your counterpart to oversee math placement, collaborate on program design, and lead departmental initiatives, ensuring alignment with our mission. Together, you will engage with division heads, faculty, and families to develop a cohesive, forward-thinking mathematics program and support the professional growth of our math teachers.
This position carries a reduced teaching load to provide time for leadership responsibilities, which include mentoring teachers, aligning curriculum across divisions, and facilitating family communications about our approach to mathematics. Co-chairs also participate in biweekly department chair meetings to collaborate with other academic leaders across disciplines.
Candidates should have at least five years of experience teaching mathematics, a passion for working with boys aged 10 to 15, and a commitment to character education. Ideal candidates will bring energy and expertise to this shared leadership role, modeling the school’s core values of honesty , compassion , and respect while preparing students for academic success.
Position: Upper and Middle School Math Department Chair and Teacher Grades 7-9
Status: Full-Time, Benefits-Eligible, Exempt
Department : Math
Reports to : Head of Upper School and Director of Teaching and Learning
Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30-4:30 pm; Dates: Orientation on August 18 and 19, 2025; School year August 25, 2025 - June 9, 2026
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
- Teaching and Leadership :
- Teach three sections of mathematics classes in Grades 7-9, designing engaging lessons that challenge and inspire students to think critically, problem-solve, and develop confidence in their abilities.
- Observe and provide constructive feedback to math faculty to support instructional growth and effectiveness.
- Oversee the Math Department, providing leadership in curriculum development, faculty mentoring, and department planning.
- Facilitate department meetings, coordinate professional development, and promote a culture of collaboration and innovation.
- Program Development :
- Align the department’s goals with the school’s mission and strategic plan.
- Integrate project-based learning, educational technology, and cross-curricular connections into the math curriculum.
- Ensure diverse perspectives and culturally responsive teaching practices are incorporated into the program.
- Mentorship and Collaboration :
- Collaborate with teachers on curriculum development, lesson planning, and assessment practices.
- Mentor and evaluate math faculty, fostering professional growth and pedagogical excellence.
- Participate in biweekly department chair meetings during the school day to collaborate with other department leaders on cross-disciplinary initiatives.
- Serve as an advisor to a small group of students, supporting their social-emotional growth and academic success.
- Community Engagement :
- Actively participate in the life of the school, attending events and contributing to the community beyond the classroom.
- Engage in extracurricular activities, such as coaching, advising clubs, or leading trips.
- Differentiated Instruction :
- Utilize various modes of instruction and assessments to meet the diverse learning needs of students.
- Professional Development :
- Stay current with best practices in mathematics education, department leadership, and middle school teaching through professional learning opportunities.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in mathematics, education, or a related field.
- Minimum of five years of experience teaching mathematics, preferably to middle school or junior high students.
- Demonstrated experience in curriculum development and faculty mentoring.
- Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
- Commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in educational practices.
- Successful criminal background check.
- Master’s degree in mathematics, education, or a related field.
- Previous leadership experience in a school setting or department chair role.
- Experience with project-based learning, technology integration, and differentiated instruction.
- Familiarity with the developmental needs of boys and single-gender education.
The Fessenden School Offers
- A supportive, inclusive, and mission-driven community.
- A robust professional development budget that provides for school support professional growth and collaboration opportunities.
- A focus on educating the whole boy—academically, socially, emotionally, and physically—through dynamic programming and an emphasis on character development.
- Access to state-of-the-art facilities; Pallotta Athletic Center, Sacerdote Science Center, Congoli Center for Innovation, and the Elfers Center for the Arts).
- Delicious lunch options for faculty every day
- Class sizes from 12 to 15 students
- Diverse representation in Senior Leadership positions
Submit an application through Fessenden’s Career Site. Please include a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.
The Fessenden School encourages applications from candidates with diverse or minority backgrounds.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The Fessenden School believes that each individual is entitled to equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, ancestry, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local anti-discrimination laws.
We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas.
