Department Chair - Social Studies

Position Title: Department Chair

Classification (FLSA): Full-time, Exempt

Position Group: Teacher

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0

Union Membership: Proviso Teachers Union, Local 571, AFL-CIO

Reports to: Director of Instructional Framework and Support Building Principal

Anticipated Work Year & Hours*: 180 Days, plus five (5) workdays immediately preceding the first regularly scheduled teacher workday each school year.

Department Chairs at Proviso Township High Schools serve as instructional leaders dedicated to improving classroom instruction through successful implementation of the Proviso Instructional Framework. They act as instructional coaches, facilitators of adult learning, and models of best practice within their departments and schools.

Education/Training: Minimum of a Master's Degree

Licensure: Valid Illinois Professional Educators License (PEL) or CTE license for grades 9–12

Endorsement: In subject area of the department

Experience: Minimum of five (5) years of successful classroom teaching experience in the area of discipline, demonstrating a deep understanding of effective instructional practices.

Demonstrated understanding of and compliance with District policies, procedures, and guidelines.

• ESL or Bilingual Certification (Grades 9–12)
• Special Education Endorsement (LBS1)
• Multiple subject‑area endorsements within the department, where applicable
• Experience teaching a variety of levels of coursework (e.g., honors, AP, IH)
• Ability to design and deliver interactive presentations for large and small groups and to coach colleagues in effective instructional strategies
• Capacity to critically evaluate and enhance the quality of education within one’s discipline
• Strong understanding of data‑driven instruction and assessment, with proven ability to analyze student data to support teaching
• Excellent verbal, written, and public‑speaking skills
• Proficiency with educational and presentation technologies
• Sensitivity to and effectiveness in working with a diverse school and community
• Ability to foster growth, motivate colleagues, and build a positive, organized learning environment
• Documentable equity‑based leadership ability and success working in challenging environments
• Willingness to fully participate in all district curriculum and instruction initiatives and projects
• Broad, up‑to‑date knowledge and experience in one’s discipline, with a commitment to lifelong learning
• Enthusiastic, open, and organized approach to teaching and collaboration
• Able to prioritize Department Chair work by limiting competing priorities
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish

• Teaching – 25%
• Coaching – 50%
• Leading Professional Learning – 20%
• Miscellaneous Support to Teachers – 5%

Instructional Leadership

Collaborate closely with the Director of Instructional Framework to ensure alignment of departmental instructional practices with district expectations, instructional guidance, and implementation of timelines.

Champion the Proviso Instructional Framework by consistently modeling, supporting, and reinforcing its principles in all interactions with teachers, Department Chairs, and instructional teams.

Lead and monitor the alignment of department instructional practices to all phases of the instructional framework—Learning Objective, Focused Instruction, Guided Instruction, Collaborative Learning, Independent Learning, and Daily Formative Assessment—through intentional planning, observation, and feedback cycles.

Establish and implement an instructional support schedule that reflects the core functions of the role, including classroom visits, coaching cycles, department meetings, professional learning facilitation, and follow‑up, with clearly defined timelines and due dates.

Monitor fidelity of instructional framework implementation using walkthroughs, lesson artifacts, student work, and formative data, and adjust supports in collaboration with school leadership and the Director of Instructional Framework.

Serve as a primary decision‑maker for departmental professional learning
, proactively identifying needs,…