EF Academy Pasadena Head of Department
EF Education First
The Head of Department (HOD) is responsible for the development, growth, and achievement of learning and teaching in their respective department. The HOD organizes and reviews curriculum; provides support to teachers, students, staff and parents; and appraises teachers in their department. The HOD exemplifies approaches to learning and teaching in their classroom teaching and departmental leadership. Heads of Department ensure best practices for academic development for all students in the Department’s classes. HODs are expert in the IB and US High School curricula. For all programs, the HOD ensures teachers know and understand IB and other curricula of their courses and have appropriate and up-to-date training. Heads of Department demonstrate considerable knowledge of assessment within IB curricula and develop their teachers’ skills in implementing effective assessment techniques and strategies within classrooms.
Compensation: Faculty Pay Range is $70,304 to $86,400 plus a $8,000.00 stipend and 1 course release
Reports to: Head of School
Professional Qualifications and Qualities:
- Bachelor’s degree in teaching or relevant field, master’s degree preferred.
- At least five years of teaching experience.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all school stakeholders.
- Experience in implementing the principles and current trends in education, curriculum, IB program, staff development, essential elements of instruction, and supervision.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
- Well-organized with excellent leadership abilities.
- Exceptional interpersonal and presentation skills.
Key Responsibilities:
- Departmental
- Determine faculty teaching assignments and ensure correct student placement in relevant classes.
- Ensure best practices for academic development for all students in the department.
- Model exemplary instructional practices.
- Supervise and evaluate department members (including goal setting, formal and information observations, performance reviews, performance improvement plans, etc.).
- Mentor or provide peer mentors for faculty.
- Manage and track faculty absences, substitute placements and provide coverage for any classes requiring a teacher, as necessary.
- Create and implement a departmental budget that provides for classroom materials, professional conferences, speakers, programs, and other instructional needs.
- Serve as the public face of the department.
- Develop and support opportunities for international and local student travel as well as experiential learning that complements classroom instruction.
- Any other duties as assigned.
- Instructional
- Teach class load of 3 out of 6 classes/sections.
- Hold office hours at the assigned time per the schedule.
- Provide coverage for any classes requiring a teacher, as necessary.
- Provide timely feedback to students.
- Supervise students’ IB Diploma Programme Extended Essays.
- Attend curriculum planning meetings, faculty meetings, department meetings and all community meetings/assemblies.
- Participate in professional development opportunities offered by the school.
- Serve on committees as needed.
- Planning
- Plan and teach classes following the IB, and/or USHS curricula for grades 9-12.
- Design and incorporate student-centered experiential learning experiences that link to classroom learning.
- Be enthusiastic and resourceful in creating meaningful learning experiences for students.
- Differentiate instruction and assessments for individual student needs.
- Create instructional materials and classroom resources that support English Language Learners and their learning needs.
- Create course outlines, bibliographies of suggested readings, and key vocabulary lists for IB and/or USHS courses and share using online platforms.
- Use a wide range of technologies and creativity when designing units, instructional materials and classroom resources.
- Keep abreast of curricular developments by reading current literature and syllabus updates.
- Assessment
- Develop assessment tasks across all curricula (IB, USHSD) that align to IB assessments and assessment philosophies.
- Follow the school’s assessment and marking policy, and ensure the team are aligned in their implementation.
- Design a wide range of formative assessments/ assessments for learning in planning.
- Utilize student assessment results to guide future planning (data-driven approach), teaching and learning.
- Boarding & Community Engagement
- Serve as a visible and active presence in the residential life program, connecting academic and co-curricular experiences.
- Participate in evening and weekend campus activities as part of residential leadership.
- Partner with the Dean of Students, Dean of Academics and Residential Life team to ensure holistic support for students’ academic and personal development.
- Contribute to boarding school life for our students by supervising a club and/or coaching a sport.
- Participate in student welcome week activities and student placement testing.
- Attend various school events throughout the academic year, including, but not limited to, graduation, the school play(s), arts nights and sporting events.
- Community Engagement
- Promote positive school relationships, with regular communication to and interactions with community members including students, academic colleagues, residential colleagues, parents, advisors, staff, etc.
- Lead parent-teacher-student conferences outside of normal working hours.
- Keep families informed about student progress by writing academic comments every semester.
About EF Academy
EF Academy is a leading private boarding and day high school, attracting students from around the world to our campuses in Pasadena, New York, and Oxford (England). At EF Academy, we prepare students to thrive academically, personally, and socially helping them build the confidence, skills, and sense of purpose they need to lead fulfilling, successful lives. With a focus on academic excellence, personal growth, and cultural immersion, we empower students to unlock their full potential and develop the lifelong skills they need to thrive in any future they envision.
About EF Education First
Some companies are in the business of banking. Others are in the business of shoes. Or sports. Or soft drinks. At EF, we're in a different kind of business. One that's a little less tangible, and a lot more important. Because our business, what we make, makes everything else possible. We're in the business of understanding. Between people. Between cultures.
For over half a century, we’ve been the leader in international educational programs and experiences designed to foster such understanding. Through language, cultural exchange, academic studies, and educational travel, we create the kinds of immersive experiences that challenge biases, open minds, and pave the way for a more understanding world.
You’ll find our offices and schools located in some of the world’s greatest cities, and filled with smart, driven people (over 50,000 of us) who push each other to be better every day. But it’s what we do together - building greater understanding, breaking down barriers, and creating a better world - that makes all the difference.
Founded in 1965 in Sweden, EF (Education First) is a global association of education companies that share a common mission of opening the world through education. EF has been recognized on Forbes 2025 and 2024 World’s Best Employers and 2024 Top Companies for Women lists, Fast Company’s 2025 Next Big Things In Tech, and was a 2024 App Store Award winner in Cultural Impact.