Goal #1:  School Development

Appoint a MINT (STEM) Coordinator- Head of Science

Head of Department- Science

Job Description

Position:  Head of Department (Subject Area Leader)

Reports to: Coordinators / Head of Secondary

Role: The MYP Head of Department (Subject Area Leader) is the pedagogical leader of the department and is responsible for the implementation of MYP and DP curriculum guidelines in all department classrooms. The broad role of the HoD is to facilitate an IB learning environment that leads to high academic achievement in MYP /DP classrooms.

Main responsibilities:

The MYP /DP Subject Area Leader/HoD provides leadership within his or her respective MYP /DP subject area.  He or she will:

• bring together subject teachers in collaborative teams to develop MYP units

• lead the development of the vertical articulation for the subject group, which includes planning for MYP/DP subject area aims and objectives, key and related concepts and content, knowledge and skills

• ensure and lead the regular revision of the written curriculum

• develop and coordinate assessment strategies

• organize standardization of assessment within the subject group

• model ongoing learning by

  • sharing appropriate professional readings with colleagues

  • leading discussions about ways of improving MYP and DP classroom practice on meeting agendas

  • identifying professional development needs for teachers as a part of the ongoing teacher performance review process

• Consistently model and implement school policies and standards, consistent with the ISC Mission and the IB Mission by

  • demonstrating, through professional conduct, a strong belief in the ISC Mission and the IB Mission

  • supporting and following school policies and procedures

  • leading subject area teachers in the implementation of IB teaching and learning practices in classrooms

  • working with colleagues to ensure all members of the department follow school policies and procedures

  • being a positive role model

• Provide leadership among MYP/DP faculty, students and parents in the ongoing development of an educational program based on research-based best practices and 21st-century learning by 

  • planning, organizing, convening and facilitating regular meetings with subject teachers to discuss learning strategies for students and important departmental issues

  • promoting and encouraging the use of display space by teachers

  • working collaboratively with subject teachers to develop appropriate scope and sequence documentation, prepare course outlines using the specified formats, develop a team oriented approach to curriculum planning, and coordinate subject area horizontally across year levels and vertically throughout MYP and DP

  • giving department members tasks to complete that will provide professional growth and improve learning outcomes for students

  • identifying issues and develop solutions in the department by consensus (not everybody has to agree, but everybody must understand the expectations associated with all decisions)

  • organizing walkthroughs, observations, and instructional rounds individually and collaboratively with department members to provide ongoing professional feedback   

  • leading the teacher appraisal process for the department

  • planning and providing appropriate support to colleagues new to the department

  • attending regular HoD meetings with MYPC / DPC  and Head of Secondary.

  • advising the Head of Secondary regarding recruitment of competent, qualified faculty.

• Facilitate the development of the department programmes in line with MYP/DP guidelines by

  • developing an MYP subject overview, or ‘scope and sequence’ (skills/knowledge/resources), and MYP unit plans, which follow ISC and MYP/DP guidelines

  • ensuring that all curriculum documentation follows MYP/DP guidelines

  • ensuring that the IB Learner Profile is evident in unit development and student learning

  • supporting classroom teachers in understanding the MYP/DP curriculum requirements

  • leading a process of annual curriculum review in the department

  • revising and reviewing the processes of all internal and external examinations, internal assessments and external moderation

  • organizing regular department meetings to ensure teachers are engaged in appropriate planning and discussion regarding teaching and learning

• Facilitate financial planning within the department by

  • managing an annual budget for the department

  • monitoring the expenditure in the department in line with the approved annual budget

  • overseeing and approving all department spending

• Manage subject area resource development by

  • identifying resource needs through close collaboration with the department

  • planning and managing the timely purchase of resources to meet the teaching and learning requirements within the department

  • maintaining a resource inventory for the department

  • maintaining an inventory of all textbooks, where appropriate

Success Criteria

• 2021-22:  Advertise, interview and appoint a STEM Coordinator - instead of purely STEM ISC appointed a Head of Science. 

• Facilitate STEM / Science collaborative planning meetings every six weeks

• Annually review job description (see document above) and program goals to ensure targets are met

The ISC STEM Coordinator will report regularly to the school community about STEM developments at ISC.  He or she will update the ISC STEM website regularly when new events, projects, lessons, etc. are carried out.  He or she will also keep the ISC community informed about STEM developments via the ISC Friday Newsletter and Facebook page.  This documentation will prove whether the creation of the position has been successful and whether the STEM Coordinator is successfully carrying out the roles and responsibilities of the job description.

Goal #2:  MINT Vocational Development

Collaborate with STEM partners outside of school to enhance awareness of STEM vocational opportunities. 

Vocational Days Program

 Appeal to the ISC Community

• A 21st century education requires exposure to the jobs of the future and jobs in our region.

• MYP 3 and MYP 4 students have the opportunity to prepare, apply and participate in 3 on-the-job training days.

Monday May 27 - Wednesday May 29, 2024

• Please fill in this survey if you are interested / willing to receive application materials from our MYP 3 and MYP 4 students to work in your company/organization as part of this program. 

• ISC supports the process, but families are responsible for finding internships for their child(ren).

Success Criteria

• Establish a STEM Workshop Series

  • • Invite STEM experts in to ISC to offer workshops to students about STEM professions once per unit (6 x per year)

• Facilitate a STEM Mentoring Program

  • • Match students with STEM experts to learn more about STEM careers of interest

• Develop STEM Project Days and Curriculum Trips

  • • Minimum once per year students must visit a STEM company as part of curriculum experience program

    • MYP 4-5  students will be required to engage in STEM Career Days in which they will sign up for practical experiences for three days with partner companies to learn about STEM professions

    • ISC will host a Summer Job Fair with partner companies for MYP 4-5 and DP students to gain practical experience for long-term periods during summer break each year

The ISC Career Councilor will oversee these programs and ensure they are carried out annually.  The facilitation and oversight have been built into the STEM Coordinator job description.  His or her annual performance will be reviewed with these benchmarks in mind.