Mathematics Department Chair

Title: Mathematics Department Chair

Assignment: School year plus ten (10) summer days, 1.0 FTE

Location: Winnetka Campus

Supervisor: Winnetka Campus Principal/Assistant Superintendent

Supervises: Math Faculty

Start Date: August 10, 2026

Salary Range: $109,401- $175,610

Position Overview:

New Trier is seeking a dynamic, progressive leader to be the department chair for our Math Department. The department chair is housed at the Winnetka Campus, which is the campus for sophomore, junior and senior  students. Primary responsibilities for the position are supervising approximately 30 math faculty members at Winnetka, collaborating on curriculum development throughout the department, collaborating closely with the Northfield Department Coordinators,  and serving as a leader on the Winnetka  Campus. Department leadership is shared with the Math Department Coordinator who is located on the Northfield Campus. The Math Department Chair will work with other stakeholders as a member of the Winnetka Campus Leadership Team. Leaders at New Trier possess the skills and dispositions described in the New Trier Candidate Profile.

Qualifications:

1. Valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with administrative endorsement
2. Currently or ability to become Illinois State Board of Education Qualified Evaluator
3. Minimum five years of experience as a math teacher at the secondary level
4. Master's/advanced degree in math, education, or equivalent
5. Extensive knowledge of best practice in math curriculum, instruction, and assessment
6. Experience in staff supervision and/or leadership development
7. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with both internal and external constituents 
8. Demonstrated ability to work independently while also collaborating with faculty and administrative colleagues 
9. Able to make independent decisions aligned with district policies, handle difficult situations tactfully, and perform all duties and responsibilities of the position

Responsibilities:

Leadership                      

• Demonstrates vision and provides leadership in establishing shared beliefs and values around student learning.
• Leads the department in implementing the district’s strategic plan and annual goals
• Assesses needs and uses data to guide school improvement initiatives
• Manages and modifies strategies to enhance student success and district priorities
• Understands the change leadership process and directs the department through necessary changes
• Actively participates in local, state, and national professional organizations to advance the profession
• Collaborates with school-based leadership teams, including weekly Department Leader meetings
• Provides consistent, visible campus leadership and a strong presence in the school community
• Fosters collaboration and builds consensus among staff and stakeholders
• Creates a safe and reflective environment that encourages risk-taking and professional growth
• Supports staff development by recognizing contributions and valuing diverse perspectives 

Curriculum and Instruction

• Ensures the curriculum is aligned to state and national standards and best practices in mathematics education, and maintains a department structure for accountability and alignment to such standards and practices. 
• Works with staff and all other stakeholders to identify a curriculum framework that supports the District’s mission, visions, and strategic plan. 
• Establishes and maintains a process for the annual review and modification of the curriculum.
• Demonstrates knowledge best practices and current trends in mathematics education and applies such knowledge to the development of the department’s curriculum and instruction serves as the spokesperson on curricular matters.
• Engages the staff in professional development in a process of continuous improvement in teaching and learning. 
• Acts as a master teacher for the department by demonstrating a commitment to learning, modeling professionalism and respect for others, and modeling competence in content and pedagogy.
• Encourages staff to create professional networks both within and outside the school.
• Facilitates articulation with the sender schools.

Supervision and Evaluation

• Develops, plans, and offers resources for teacher growth and development throughout the whole arc of a faculty member’s career. 
• Works collaboratively with the New Teacher Induction program to set and maintain standards of effective teaching and professionalism, in alignment with Characteristics of Professional Practice.
• Uses both formative and summative staff evaluation procedures to improve teaching.
• Establishes and communicates expectations for professionalism to department members and holds faculty accountable to standards.
• Demonstrates skill in giving feedback to staff about their teaching by:
• • Visiting classes and preparing observation reports.
  • Preparing and sharing non-tenured and tenured teacher summative evaluations.
  • Preparing and sharing scale movement evaluations.

Organizational Management

• Collaborates with the Chief Human Resources Officer in facilitating the screening and hiring of department personnel.
• Responsible for fair and judicious allocation of District resources in the annual staffing and sectioning process.
• Develops and manages the master schedule at the Winnetka Campus, in collaboration with the Associate Principal for Academic and Administratives Services.
• Supervises, prepares, and administers the budget.
• Supervises the use and maintenance of facilities, equipment, supplies, and book orders.
• Advocates for the department with administration and guidance personnel, with parents and within the community, and in special projects for administration.

 Communication Skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills in listening, speaking, and writing. 
• Excellent presentation and public speaking skills in small and large groups.
• Demonstrates mediation skills in working with staff.
• Articulates beliefs persuasively, effectively explains decisions, checks for understanding, and behaves in ways that reflect these beliefs and decisions.
• Writes and speaks clearly and concisely so the intended audience understands the message being conveyed.
• Demonstrates skill in giving and receiving feedback.
• Opens lines of communication between and among staff on both campuses.

Other 

• Assumes responsibility for their own professional growth and development.
• Other duties as assigned.

FLSA: Exempt