Director of Teaching and Learning

Calgary French & International School (CFIS) is a full French language immersion co-educational independent school, serving nearly 730 students from preschool through to Grade 12. For over 50 years, families have chosen CFIS because of our immersive French language learning environment that inspires children’s unique curiosity and exploration of the world around them.

Our dedicated faculty, staff and administration team partner with CFIS families to provide an extraordinary learning experience. Our students benefit from innovative teaching and learning approaches to address global challenges, and are empowered to take responsibility as open-minded, curious citizens who are prepared for the ever-changing world around them.

Job Description

REPORTS TO: Head of School
POSITION GROUP: Senior Leadership Team
STATUS: Full-Time, 210-Days per year

Purpose of Position 

The Director of Teaching and Learning is a passionate and inspiring educational leader who works closely with the Head of School and Senior Leadership Team. This position has oversight and responsibility for all aspects of the academic program, from preschool-grade 12. The incumbent will work with all school faculty/staff to provide leadership regarding the curriculum; procedural administration; scheduling; and professional development from a whole school lens, while also ensuring divisional identities thrive within the larger continuum. The Director of Teaching and Learning serves as a role model and assists faculty/staff and students with providing an optimal educational experience, possesses a solid understanding of best practices in areas such as pedagogy and assessment, and builds on current classroom practices with the vision of continuous growth and improvement.

The Director of Teaching and Learning works collaboratively with a number of pedagogical leaders, including but not limited to the divisional principals, curriculum leaders, International Baccalaureate programme coordinators, and the faculty to ensure that all departments are working in support of the school’s strategic plan, and to ensure that all programs connected to academics align with the school’s mission, vision and values.

This individual embodies the core competencies of empathy, integrity, humility, respect, responsibility, optimism and resilience.

The Director of Teaching and Learning will be a contributing member to the CFIS Senior Leadership Team, and will serve as chair for the CFIS Pedagogical Leadership Team. They will also be a member of all Divisional Leadership teams.

Leadership and Mentoring

• Oversees ongoing review of current programs and seeks innovative approaches to learning and program delivery, thereby challenging the status quo while respecting and building on elements that foster the school’s culture;
• Oversees the analysis of student academic performance, to help create optimal outcomes;
• Mentors and supports all academic leaders to ensure pedagogical development in line with the school’s strategic plan and Alberta Education requirements;
• Motivates and inspires faculty to perform at their best;
• Develops an identity and spirit within the curriculum group, consistent with the vision, mission, values and beliefs of CFIS;
• Provides coaching and mentoring so that curriculum and instructional pedagogy is implemented and conducted to ensure the management of risk to students and reflects the policies, procedures and practices established by Alberta Education and CFIS.
• Models highly ethical and professional behaviour, serving as a mentor and role model for faculty and students.

Administration

• Works with the divisional principals to oversee all administrative aspects of instructional programs, continuity in programming and assessment practices.
• Oversees the development of all documentation required for Alberta Education (KG-12).
• Oversees the development and implementation of the International Baccalaureate Programme (ECE-12)
• Leads the regular development or review  of the school’s scope and sequence documents.
• Oversees the development and implementation of educational technology and innovation at CFIS.
• Chairs grade level or department meetings, as required, and provides professional development workshops to faculty.
• Works collaboratively with principals in the development and implementation of annual action plans that include metrics to measure the success of the strategic plan.
• Suggests methods for integrating instruction in alignment with the principles and practices of IB.
• Works collaboratively with the CFIS Pedagogical Leadership Team in the development and implementation of professional development plans.

Communication

• Conveys messages and information to a variety of audiences using the tools necessary and engages the audience to ensure the message is delivered and understood.
• Addresses inquiries from multiple stakeholders, parents, students, and staff.
• Plays a direct role in retention of current CFIS families, and recruitment of new families, including participating in information sessions and special events. ;

Strategy

• Develops long-term improvement strategies for the academic and physical environment that foster an engaging and relevant French immersion learning environment.
• Promotes cooperation and commitment towards the fulfillment of  the strategic plan for the school.
• Oversees the CAIS accreditation process with regard to Academic Standards.
• Oversees and supports all International Baccalaureate authorizations and monitoring in collaboration with IB coordinators.

Qualifications and requirements

Qualifications and Competencies

• Minimum of ten years of classroom teaching experience.
• Minimum of seven years of experience in a leadership capacity, preferably within a Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS) school.
• Master’s degree in Educational Leadership/Curriculum or similar is an asset;
• Completion of some CAIS modules or the CAIS Leadership Institute Diploma.
• Articulate and polished oral and written communication skills in English and French.
• A passion for education and leadership, as demonstrated through a record as an effective teacher and as an outstanding mentor of other educators.
• A thorough knowledge of curricula and effective pedagogy in a French immersion learning environment.
• A demonstrated high level of knowledge and interest in all divisions of the school (ECE, elementary, secondary) student ages and grades.
• A high level of personal energy, resilience and optimism and a history of modelling these for faculty and students through involvement and visibility on campus.
• Sophisticated interpersonal skills including the ability to work with and manage a broad range of constituents.
• A demonstrated ability to embrace and communicate change, and the courage, judgment, and wisdom to make important decisions when they have to be made.
• An ability to connect easily with others and to balance firmness and fairness in problem resolution.
• Leadership competencies in the areas of impact and influence, motivating teams, strategic planning, and vision.
• Highly developed “EQ” (emotional quotient) skills in the areas of self-awareness; self-management, social agility, empathy, impact and influence, mastery of purpose, and vision.
• Experience leading teams and implementing change.

Salary

• As per CFIS Faculty Salary Grid
• Leadership Stipend

Posting Closes

The posting will remain open until the position is filled.

Application Process

If this position sounds like the perfect fit for you, please submit your resume to Apply Now. Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At CFIS we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway with a cover letter and resume describing why you are a great fit and to help us learn more about you. You may be just the right candidate!

 We thank all applicants in advance for their submission.