José M. Torres, PhD, President of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® (IMSA) invites you to apply for this leadership opportunity to foster a uniquely challenging, highly personalized program of advanced study for our talented students who understand and share our passion for our mission. The Dean of Faculty will lead IMSA’s residential academic affairs with responsibility for: curriculum, instruction, assessment and professional learning. This position reports to the Principal. The successful candidate will begin July 1, 2019.

Dean of Instruction and Learning Position Summary
The Dean leads the distinguished faculty of the residential academy. The faculty is committed to innovative, student-centered, constructivist curricula designed to engage students in generative, critical thought. The faculty’s rigorous performance emerges from a balance between disciplinary standards, IMSA beliefs, programmatic research, collegial interaction and individual passion. The faculty also seeks to engage institutions in Illinois and beyond with an expectation to improve educational practice.

Position Mission Statement
To lead a dynamic faculty and academic staff by modeling and empowering risk-taking and experimentation to shape the future of STEM education in alignment with IMSA’s 2022 vision.

Outcomes

1. Plan, implement and evaluate curriculum and instruction.

• Make a general assessment of IMSA’s curriculum and methods of instruction.
• Develop a plan to lead successful instruction and work to improve areas of need.
• Implement plan and review.
• Promote the use of technology for instruction in the classroom.
• Promote and facilitate the collaboration and integration of the academic program within and across faculty teams.

2. Assess student learning and student learning outcomes.

• Re-conceptualize the Standards of Significant Learning (SSLs).
• Create and implement a plan to incorporate the work of OIR in the creation and assessment of curriculum by each academic team.

3. Hire faculty and implement/oversee the faculty’s accountability contract process (CADRE).

• Ensure implementation of, and assess and recommend appropriate improvements to CADRE.
• Develop a faculty profile by discipline to assist HR in recruiting top-notch faculty.

4. Design and facilitate faculty Professional Development (PD).

• Produce an effective plan and implement PD.
• Promote, facilitate and recognize scholarly work by faculty.

5. Facilitate the continued development and implementation of the Equity and Excellence plan for faculty.

• Review existing policies and their impact on curriculum, teaching and learning; develop faculty accountabilities and metrics as applicable.
• Implement policies and accountability plans.

Critical Competencies

• Honesty/Integrity. Earns trust and maintains confidences. Acts ethically and keeps commitments.
• Organization and planning. Plans, organizes, prioritizes, schedules and budgets in an efficient, productive and timely manner. Focuses on key priorities.
• Advocacy. Champions the growth and needs of faculty within a collaborative environment that takes into account the needs and goals of the entire organization
• Thoughtfulness. Is proactive, deliberate, solicits and is open to critical feedback and new ideas, and is decisive.
• Emotional Intelligence. Demonstrates the ability to effectively recognize, understand and manage one’s own emotions, as well as effectively recognize, understand and influence the emotions of others. Uses such knowledge to guide thinking, behavior and problem-solving.
• Gifted and Talented Experience. Demonstrates knowledge of STEM education and/or field(s) and the unique needs and qualities of gifted and talented students from diverse populations.
• Analytical thinking. Structures and processes qualitative or quantitative data and draws insightful conclusions from it.
• Effective Leadership. Demonstrates empowering, purposeful, inclusive, relationship-building abilities that motivate and influence faculty and academic staff to achieve common goals. Envisions, leads and manages innovative initiatives. Excellent communicator. Adapts quickly to changing priorities and conditions. Manages and mentors faculty to improve pedagogy and practice, and faculty and staff to improve performance. Demonstrates persistence, tenacity and willingness to “go the distance” to get something done.
• Cultural competence. Effectively communicates and collaborates with diverse individuals and groups; applies positive strategies to address social issues, including discrimination, bias and stereotype threat; and uses this competence to inform teaching and learning.

Required Formal Preparation and Experience:
The Dean of Faculty requires:

• Advanced degree; STEM field preferred;
• Minimum of five years teaching high-school or college level students;
• Significant leadership experience in secondary or higher education;
• Bilingual in Spanish desired.

Salary and Benefits:
The position of Dean of Faculty is an exempt, full-time, twelve-month position. Salary will be no less than $108,080 and commensurate with training and experience. An excellent comprehensive benefits package is provided, including health and life insurance in addition to retirement benefits. The State Universities Retirement System (SURS) is reciprocal with other Illinois retirement systems such as the Teachers’ Retirement Systems of Illinois (TRS).

Application Process:
Applicants may apply at https://careers-imsa.icims.com/jobs/1160/dean-of-faculty/job, and must include a letter of interest, resume, salary history, and a statement of personal philosophy on the meaning and practical application of “equity in education”. Applications will be accepted and reviewed as received until the position is filled; however, priority will be given to those received on or before January 31, 2019.

The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer providing equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, or national origin. This policy also includes all disabled applicants, including disabled Vietnam era veterans.