Head of Art and Design  

Teaching Position

Closing Date: January 24, 2025

Job Term: Full Time

We seek an individual inspired by our mission, whose beliefs align with our core values of integrity, compassion, inquiry, and courage, and who reflects our core competencies to join our Upper School as a Head of Art and Design.  This is a full-time position, starting in September 2025.

Why Teach With Us

At Havergal College, we believe that our strength lies in our faculty and staff’s collective efforts, talents, and accomplishments. Together, we can make a positive and lasting impact on our students’ lives. 

We offer a highly competitive compensation package for teachers, including a faculty teaching grid that is well above the major urban school boards; contributions to and participation in the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and/or Group RSP; generous holidays that allow employees to recharge; comprehensive health and dental benefits; support for professional development including support for graduate work, additional qualifications (AQs), faculty-wide and individual professional development in teaching and learning, wellbeing, equity and inclusion, assessment, and experiential education; and teaching on a beautiful 22-acre campus with excellent facilities.

Why Havergal is the Place to Be

Founded in 1894 and located on a beautiful 22-acre campus in midtown Toronto, Canada, Havergal College is one of Canada’s pre-eminent independent schools for girls from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12. At Havergal College, we believe that great schools are made up of great people. With a rich history spanning over 130 years, we are committed to offering a contemporary liberal arts education, which is rooted in the Anglican tradition. Our mission is to prepare young women to make a difference. Through our outstanding academic and cocurricular programs, and a cohesive and collegial team of faculty and administration staff, we nurture a culture of capability that fosters self-confidence, leadership, critical thinking and global-mindedness within our students.

We take pride in attracting and retaining highly-qualified faculty and administration staff to ensure that our school remains at the forefront of educational excellence. Join us in this transformative journey of education, working together to empower young women to make a positive difference in our world.

We are committed to building a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace. We believe that an inclusive environment fosters a culture of mutual respect, creativity and innovation, collaboration and accountability. To this end, we encourage applications from all qualified candidates with a diverse range of experiences and perspectives, including women, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Colour) peoples, LGBTQ2S+, and persons with disabilities to join our thriving team.  We seek candidates who are committed to nurturing a community where integrity, compassion, inquiry and courage thrive. 

The Position

The Art and Design Department at Havergal College is distinguished by exceptional teachers who provide rich, purposeful and diverse learning experiences for girls from Grade 7 to 12.  Through this program, students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the areas of fine arts and communications technology.

As the Department Head of Art and Design, you will work collaboratively with the department, other Department Heads and the Administration to set and shape department direction, philosophy and goals aligned to the school’s mission, vision, values and strategic plan. You are creative, innovative, open to the ideas of others and inspire with vision. You are knowledgeable and have proven leadership skills in long-term curriculum planning, leading course teams and overseeing standards of excellence for students and faculty. You supervise department members, budget for and manage resources, and develop and implement long-range curriculum plans. In addition, you will oversee and mentor the professional learning plans of department members and support the implementation of professional development objectives established for the school.

As an experienced Art and Design teacher, you will be confident in curriculum development and demonstrate an approach to teaching that reflects how girls learn. You will optimize the use of the technology available to you. You will support all learners with diverse strategies and approaches and be willing to bring innovative solutions to learning challenges experienced by students. Your classes will be engaging and dynamic; you will enjoy your work. Students will find you approachable, available, knowledgeable, genuine and supportive. As a life-long learner, you will commit to actively seeking professional development. You will participate actively in the life of the school.

Specific Accountabilities

Planning and Curriculum and Instructional Leadership  
  • Work collaboratively with the department to set and shape department direction, philosophy and goals aligned to the school’s mission, vision, values and current strategic plan.
  • Lead discussions of pedagogy. instructional strategies, directions and program concerns or changes.
  • Develop, implement and enhance programs according to exceptional pedagogy and Ministry curricular requirements.
  • Support and lead the development and implementation of long-range curriculum plans.
  • Oversee and mentor the professional learning plans of development of department members.
  • Support the implementation of professional development objectives established by the school.
Management of Department
  • Organize and run effective department meetings.
  • Manage department members with respect to school expectations for report cards, parent teacher interviews, hours of work and exams.
  • Develop and manage the department budget and resources including approving all purchases.
  • Oversee the maintenance of department documentation (course calendar, uncalendar, curriculum maps, Veracross class sites).
  • Support the hiring of supply teachers and new teachers to the department including the on-boarding and off-boarding process.
  • Assist with assigning teaching responsibilities and room assignments.
  • Encourage department members to enhance their skills in the areas of technology and to take advantage of technology professional development offered in the school.
Experienced Teacher
  • Confident in curriculum development.
  • Demonstrate an approach to teaching that is reflective of how girls learn.
  • Optimize the use of the technology.
  • Support all learners with diverse strategies and approaches and be willing to bring innovative solutions to learning challenges experienced by students.
  • Classes are engaging and dynamic.
  • Approachable, available, knowledgeable, genuine and supportive of students and parents.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to actively seeking professional development.
  • Participate actively in the life of the school.
Member of Department Heads’ Committee and Representative of the Principal
  • Work collaboratively with other Department Heads and Senior Leadership Team (SLT) members in supporting and advancing the school’s strategic and operational goals.
  • Support the school philosophy, policies, strategic plan and current priorities.
  • Act as liaison between the administration and department members.
  • Participate in examining and/or developing identified initiatives.
  • Attend and participate in regularly scheduled heads meetings.
  • Participate in special committees as required.
  • Take part in school-wide curriculum planning and assessment initiatives and programs.
  • Anticipate and identify future directions and needs of the school.
  • Share department ideas and feedback.

Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience

  • Relevant university qualifications preferably at the graduate level (e.g. Bachelor of Education plus Bachelor of Fine Arts or equivalent).
  • Certification from the Ontario College of Teachers and be a member in ‘Good Standing’.
  • A minimum of 5 years of exemplary teaching experience in an academic, secondary school (Independent school experience is an asset).
  • A comprehensive understanding of current educational practices in the areas of curriculum planning and implementation of the most recent Ontario Art curriculum and assessment practices in line with Growing Success.
  • Knowledge of strategies for facilitating student success in Art.
  • Knowledge of appropriate technology integration into teaching and assessment practices.
  • Demonstrated leadership experience in an educational setting.
  • Knowledge of the current research on girls and learning.
  • An ability to work in a collaborative environment.
  • Strong inter-personal, organizational, time-management and communication skills.
  • A commitment toward continued professional development and growth; and
  • Energy, commitment and a readiness to participate in the co-curricular program and the diverse life of the school community.
Demonstrated ability and commitment to the Core & Leadership Competencies of:
  • Inclusive Excellence
  • Collaboration & Teamwork
  • Integrity & Trust
  • Learning Agility
  • Communication
  • Growth Mindset
  • Coach & Develop Others
  • Managerial Courage
  • Champion Change & Innovation
  • Purpose Alignment & Results

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply and express their interest to HC Careers no later than January 24, 2025. This job posting is for an existing vacancy.

Havergal College thanks all applicants in advance. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Havergal College is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection process, and work environment in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). We will be happy to work with applicants requesting accommodation at any stage of the hiring process. If you require accommodations, please contact Cathy LeBlanc at 416-483-3519 ext. 6526 or by email at [email protected].