World Languages Department Chair – August 2021

University School of Nashville

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Job Summary

University School of Nashville invites qualified candidates to apply for a department chair position within the World Language Department. 

University School of Nashville is an independent, non-sectarian, co-educational day school with enrollment of 1,080 students kindergarten through twelfth grade.  In 1915, the George Peabody College for Teachers opened Peabody Demonstration School, USN’s predecessor, which earned acclaim for its curriculum and faculty. In 1974, Peabody College announced plans to close PDS, and a group of parents, alumni, students, and teachers reconstituted and re-chartered the school as University School of Nashville. 

USN’s midtown location adjacent to Vanderbilt University and its Peabody College for Teachers reminds us each day of our beginnings 106 years ago in the demonstration school culture of innovation and educational best practices. It’s a vibrant educational community for both students and teachers in the midst of a dynamic city.

In the USN community, students expect much of each other, and faculty benefit from that high standard. We seek educators who are enthusiastic about their own learning to complement their teaching, and we offer many opportunities for professional development. USN is committed to creating an institutional environment that mirrors the cultural and ethnic composition of greater Nashville. USN encourages a diverse applicant pool and provides equal employment opportunities for employees and job applicants. 

Job Responsibilities

Ideal candidates will have proficiency in teaching Spanish at the Advanced Placement level. Responsibilities include teaching four Spanish courses in the department, guiding the world language department (grades 5-12), and advising approximately ten students in the high school. Colleagues at USN are also expected to actively participate in the life of the high school in ways that showcase their talents, gifts, and identities.

Qualifications

Qualifications include at least a bachelor’s degree in the target language or a closely related field, high school or college teaching experience, the ability to teach a range of learning levels and styles, a love for high school students, and experience in a diverse school community. Experience in curriculum development and revision are further qualifications for an ideal candidate, as well as a current understanding of language pedagogy — Comprehensible Input and ACTFL proficiency standards as examples.   The USN Spanish curriculum, as an example, utilizes authentic sources, highlights themes of social justice and equity, de-emphasizes traditional grammar studies, and situates the language in the larger socio-cultural context.  

USN has a deep commitment to equitable and just community spaces.  Candidates should be knowledgeable of research on how implicit biases in race, ethnicity, gender identity and socioeconomic class can shape curricula and pedagogy, classroom culture, and student outcomes.  Candidates should be able to translate that knowledge into demonstrable actions that promote equitable and just teaching and learning.

Additional Information

Benefits

How to Apply

Application Process

Candidates wishing to be considered for this position should complete the online application available at usn.org/jobs.  To learn more about USN, visit our website at usn.org.

Details

• Date Posted: February 15, 2021
• Type: Full-Time
• Job Function: Educator
• Service Area: Education
• Start Date: 08/01/2021