Upper School Director of Equity, Justice and Belonging
Location
West Chester, PA | United States
Job description
The US Director of Equity, Justice and Belonging serves as a point person for faculty in the division to discuss and problem-solve DEI issues. In collaboration with the Dean and US Principal, the Director will pursue strategic goals to address the needs of the division, take a leadership role with respect to faculty professional development, and support curricular development and other long-range, strategic activities and initiatives related to DEI. Embedded in the division as a full-time faculty member, the Director of Equity, Justice and Belonging will model and promote inclusive, non-judgmental leadership and a positive, growth-oriented climate around topics of diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and cultural competency.
In collaboration with the Upper School Principal, the Director of Equity, Justice and Belonging may advise on student conduct and conflict resolution, faculty hiring, and parent/guardian concerns. They may partner with the Director of Human Resources and the Upper School Principal with regard to employee conduct and conflict resolution in the division.
The Director of Equity, Justice and Belonging is expected to pursue robust professional development in DEI work every year, including positive personal identity development, cultural competency, and awareness of implicit bias and privilege, with particular attention to bringing learning back to students and adults throughout the division community. They are encouraged to submit proposals and papers to DEI-related professional associations, conferences, and organizations.
Essential Responsibilities
Curriculum, Pedagogy, Community
- Share, with the Dean, responsibility for advising department chairs on curriculum planning and development.
- Actively participate in Upper School Deans’ meetings, Department Chairs, and Students of Concern meetings.
Faculty/Staff Support
- Serve as equity & inclusion advisor to teachers, deans, dorm parents, and advisors, supporting them in facilitating conversations among students and addressing DEI issues in the division as they arise.
- Serve on the US Hiring Committee and interview candidates for positions in the Upper School.
Faculty/Staff Professional Development
- Assist the Dean and US Principal in monitoring faculty DEI professional development.
- Collaborate with the Dean to plan and implement 2+ PD sessions/year for US faculty and staff.
- Collaborate with the Dean of Faculty and Innovation and Upper School Faculty Clerk to plan Upper School faculty professional development.
Student Support
- In partnership with the Principal and Dean of Students, receive and respond to bias incident reports regarding students.
- Organize and support student affinity groups, and arrange facilitation by a teacher who shares the same identity.
- Organize and lead student leader training in DEI competencies.
- Act as an adviser to a small group of Upper School students and contribute to the residential program as a Dorm Affiliate.
- Collaborate with International Student Program Co-Directors to support international students.
- Assist with the planning and running of the BIPOC Camp in August for new Upper School BIPOC students.
Programming
- Collaborate with the Upper School MLK Day Committee to plan MLK Day programming. observations/ celebrations.
- Collaborate with the Dean of EJB and Lower and Middle School (LS/MS) Director of Equity, Justice and Belonging on all-school assemblies celebrating diversity.
- Work with faculty advisors to affinity groups to help plan appropriate programming.
- Work closely with affinity groups to plan Community Dinners.
- Develop and coordinate the Upper School Assembly Program.
Parent/Guardian and Family Support
- Attend FMC events.
- In coordination with LS/MS Equity, Justice and Belonging Director, and the Dean, develop and support DEI programming for families.
- Develop specific programming for US BIPOC families.
- Partner with Admissions staff in supporting prospective students and families.
Westtown School is an independent, Quaker co-educational, pre-K to 12, college preparatory day and boarding school located in suburban West Chester, PA, approximately 30 miles from Philadelphia. On a beautiful 600-acre campus, Westtown offers a program where our committed faculty and staff inspire and prepare our students to be stewards and leaders of a better world.
For additional information about Westtown School and to explore current career opportunities, please visit our website westtown.edu/careers . Interested applicants can apply online by submitting their resume and cover letter, including three professional references, directly to the specific job posting on the school’s employment portal .
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree is required; Masters’ Degree preferred
- Significant previous experience in DEIJB work, preferably in an Upper School setting
- Experience as a classroom teacher and knowledge of best practices in a 9-12 multidisciplinary curriculum is a plus
- Experience and/or knowledge of a boarding school community is helpful, but not required
- Ongoing participation in in-depth training in EJB and multicultural practices
- Exceptional verbal and written interpersonal communication skills, including public speaking and workshop delivery
- Strong affinity for the mission of Westtown School and an educational philosophy consistent with the school’s Quaker values
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