Log In
Sign Up
Employment Terms: Full time, permanent (teaches 1 section)
Start Date: July 2024
With a commitment to equity and fairness, students learn that what makes us different as individuals makes us stronger as a community. A rigorous academic program is supported by accomplished faculty, exceptional co-curricular programming, and state-of-the-art facilities. The UCC experience is underpinned by five core values: learning, pluralism, service, community, and wellbeing. Among its strategic goals is UCC’s ambition to become more diverse and inclusive. This is supported by a recognition that no learning community is whole without the inclusion and amplification of multiple voices; UCC is committed to fostering belonging, striving for justice and peace among all people, and addressing systemic and structural forms of oppression.
Position Overview
Reporting to the Academic Dean, the Director of Academics is responsible for day-to-day operational oversight of the College’s academic program SK-Year 12. The Director provides leadership to ensure the successful development and implementation of the school’s academic program, policies and processes. The Director promotes a dynamic academic culture and practices that support a consistent and coherent continuum of high quality of teaching and learning at UCC that is aligned with UCC’s vision, mission, values and strategic directions, current research and best practice, as well as the standards of our external accrediting bodies (CAIS, IB and ON Ministry of Education) and relevant legislation. The Director is a member of the extended Program Senior Leadership Team (PSLT).
Key Responsibilities
Curriculum, Pedagogical and Program Leadership
Under the guidance of the Academic Dean, lead the development of annual strategic and operational goals for the academic program team. Work closely and collaboratively with the Academic Dean, Head of the Prep and Head of Upper School to ensure strategic and operational goals and direction align with that of the College;
Work with IB Coordinators (PYP, MYP, DP), Faculty Chairs, Subject Learning Leaders, librarians, technology integrators Centre for Learning Staff and teachers to ensure the curriculum SK-Year 12 is developed, documented and delivered to appropriately reflect IB and Ontario Ministry of Education requirements and the school’s vision, mission, values and strategic directions;
Offer leadership to current strategic projects and initiatives in academics, including: literacy instruction; the integration of pluralism in curriculum and practice; and the CAIS-IB parallel accreditation process;
Lead the development and implementation of equitable assessment, evaluation and reporting;
Update and ensure effective implementation of key academic policies and processes;
Provide oversight of the Upper School Registrar’s functions and associated areas including, but not limited to examination scheduling/administration, academic records (including report cards, transcripts, graduation processes), academic honours and awards, student course selection/course changes, OSR and records management;
Meet regularly with the University Counseling Office and collaborate, along with the Head of the Upper School, to ensure the effective implementation of key policies and processes;
Ensure compliance with ON Ministry of Education policies, including all those related to credit-granting (PLAR Challenge and Equivalency, Prerequisite Waiver, Substitutions, External Music Credits, etc.) and manage the ON Ministry of Education inspection process;
Meet regularly with the Director of the Wernham West Centre for Learning and Student Services to ensure program and practice are developed and delivered to meet individual learning needs;
Stay informed and current with research in education and collaborate in the ongoing development of exceptional teaching practices across the school (SK-12);
Lead and/or participate in key team meetings, including: the Upper Programming Leadership Team (Chair), APAC (Co-Chair), Exam Committee, the Prep and Academic Leadership Team, Prep Program Team;
Act as the liaison for academics with the Enrolment Management team, working with them to assess student files, make recommendations and provide academic sign off during the admission process and to provide program information in support of new students during the enrolment process;
Communicate the program to parents, students, faculty and other key community constituents at events such as Program Information Evenings, Course Selection Evenings and Open Houses;
Represent UCC with outside professional networks and organizations, including the IBO, ON Ministry of Education, CIS, Canadian Accredited Independent Schools and IB Schools of Ontario.
Day-to-Day Program Operations/Administration
Coordinate the Academic Status Review process at the Upper School in January and June;
Work with the academic team to regularly update the school’s academic publications (the Academic Program Guide, Family Handbook, IB Guides, Course Selection Guide).
Lead the academic team and collaborate with the school-based leadership teams in responding to emergent issues;
Budgetary oversight and monitoring.
Data and Learning Analytics
Provide leadership and expertise to grow the culture and systems that support data-driven practice;
Support the academic team in the analysis of program-specific data, including MYP and DP results;
Lead the analysis, presentation and follow up on the results of the International Schools’ Assessment (ISA).
Faculty and Staff Growth and Development
Provide leadership to direct reports including hiring, training and development, assessing performance, determining mentoring and coaching needs, assigning and evaluating work, and providing constructive feedback for all team members;
Lead the Growth and Evaluation process for all team members by modeling a culture of continuous learning and growth;
Support employee wellbeing, health & safety and employee engagement;
Work in collaboration with the Academic Dean, Head of the Prep and Head of the Upper School and other leaders to develop a program of professional development for teachers that is responsive to program needs;
Act as a PLC lead and facilitator.
Other duties
Teach 1 or 2 courses;
Supervise an IB student project (Personal Project or Extended Essay) annually.
Knowledge, Competencies And Experience
A master’s degree in education or a related field strongly preferred Specializations in curriculum and instruction, educational leadership, or a specific subject area would be beneficial;
Ten years teaching experience with five or more years of demonstrated progressive academic leadership experience in a high-performance school;
Evidence of a deep commitment to Pluralism (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) in principle and practice;
Excellent working knowledge of best practices in education including culturally responsive curriculum, assessment and evaluation, reporting and grading, and professional learning;
A firm grasp of current educational issues, especially as they pertain to the International Baccalaureate Programme as well as education in Ontario;
Flexibility, efficiency, organizational, analytical, problem-solving and interpersonal skills and leadership qualities.
What We Offer
Opportunities for professional development to support life-long learning of skills and knowledge;
Floating holidays that recognizes our employees diverse religious and cultural practices; offers three paid floating holidays per year instead of three statutory public holidays of their choosing;
Excellent mental health, medical and dental benefit plans (including Health Care and Lifestyle Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance programme and onsite wellbeing programming;
Paid volunteer time off to become involved in your communities, lending voluntary support to programs;
Ongoing community events and employee social events throughout the academic year;
Fabulous collaborative team members and colleagues;
Generous pension / retirement plan and paid time off plans: vacation / holidays, personal emergency leave, personal leave, parental leave top-up and flexible self-funded leaves;
Free on campus parking;
Opportunity for casual dress days.
If you have the majority of the qualifications we’re looking for, we encourage you to express your interest by submitting your application.
UCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity, encouraging applications from all qualified individuals and welcoming applications from women, visible minorities, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ persons. UCC embraces pluralism – celebrating differences, cherishing similarities, and giving voice to multiple perspectives. If you are contacted regarding a UCC opportunity, please advise if you require any accommodations.
Please apply online by creating a “Teacher” profile account by February 15, 2023 We thank all candidates in advance; however, we will contact only those selected for an interview.
To learn more about us please visit our site at www.ucc.on.ca
