About Us
The Fessenden School is an all-boys independent day and boarding school serving 540 students in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 9 in West Newton, MA. Our mission is to cultivate each boy’s talents and develop in balance his character, mind, and body in an inclusive and joyful community. For over 100 years, The Fessenden School has offered state-of-the-art facilities, a dynamic curriculum, and programs specifically designed to meet the educational and developmental needs of boys.
Position Summary
The Fessenden School seeks an experienced, innovative, and collaborative Upper and Middle School Math Department Chair to lead our Mathematics Department in grades 5 to 9. This is both a teaching and leadership position, aimed at shaping and enhancing the department’s curriculum, pedagogy, and overall program quality. The Math Department Chair will inspire excellence in teaching while fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture among faculty and students.
This position carries a reduced teaching load of three sections (compared to the standard four sections) to allow the Department Chair time to observe and provide teachers with feedback, facilitate and oversee math placement for both the Middle and Upper School divisions, collaborate with teachers on curriculum and lesson planning, and lead departmental initiatives. The Math Department Chair will also coordinate with the Lower School Curriculum Coordinator on the math program for grades PK-4 to ensure alignment and continuity across divisions. The Math Department Chair participates in biweekly department chair meetings during the school day to collaborate across disciplines with other department chairs.
Candidates should demonstrate a minimum of five years of teaching experience in mathematics, a passion for working with boys ages 10 to 15, and a strong commitment to character education. The ideal candidate will actively model and teach the school’s core values of honesty, compassion, and respect while effectively preparing students for academic success and lifelong learning.
Position: Upper and Middle School Math Department Chair and Teacher Grades 7-9
Status: Full-Time, Benefits-Eligible, Exempt
Department: Math
Reports to: Head of Upper School and Director of Teaching and Learning
Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30-4:30 pm; Dates: Orientation on August 18 and 19, 2025; School year August 25, 2025 - June 9, 2026
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Teaching and Leadership:
- Teach three sections of mathematics classes in Grades 7-9, designing engaging lessons that challenge and inspire students to think critically, problem-solve, and develop confidence in their abilities.
- Observe and provide constructive feedback to math faculty to support instructional growth and effectiveness.
- Oversee the Math Department, providing leadership in curriculum development, faculty mentoring, and department planning.
- Facilitate department meetings, coordinate professional development, and promote a culture of collaboration and innovation.
- Program Development:
- Align the department’s goals with the school’s mission and strategic plan.
- Integrate project-based learning, educational technology, and cross-curricular connections into the math curriculum.
- Ensure diverse perspectives and culturally responsive teaching practices are incorporated into the program.
- Mentorship and Collaboration:
- Collaborate with teachers on curriculum development, lesson planning, and assessment practices.
- Mentor and evaluate math faculty, fostering professional growth and pedagogical excellence.
- Participate in biweekly department chair meetings during the school day to collaborate with other department leaders on cross-disciplinary initiatives.
- Serve as an advisor to a small group of students, supporting their social-emotional growth and academic success.
- Community Engagement:
- Actively participate in the life of the school, attending events and contributing to the community beyond the classroom.
- Engage in extracurricular activities, such as coaching, advising clubs, or leading trips.
- Differentiated Instruction:
- Utilize various modes of instruction and assessments to meet the diverse learning needs of students.
- Professional Development:
- Stay current with best practices in mathematics education, department leadership, and middle school teaching through professional learning opportunities.
Qualifications and Characteristics
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in mathematics, education, or a related field.
- Minimum of five years of experience teaching mathematics, preferably to middle school or junior high students.
- Demonstrated experience in curriculum development and faculty mentoring.
- Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
- Commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in educational practices.
- Successful criminal background check.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in mathematics, education, or a related field.
- Previous leadership experience in a school setting or department chair role.
- Experience with project-based learning, technology integration, and differentiated instruction.
- Familiarity with the developmental needs of boys and single-gender education.
Why Join Us?
The Fessenden School offers:
- A supportive, inclusive, and mission-driven community.
- A robust professional development budget that provides for school support professional growth and collaboration opportunities.
- A focus on educating the whole boy—academically, socially, emotionally, and physically—through dynamic programming and an emphasis on character development.
- Access to state-of-the-art facilities; Pallotta Athletic Center, Sacerdote Science Center, Congoli Center for Innovation, and the Elfers Center for the Arts).
- Delicious lunch options for faculty every day
- Class sizes from 12 to 15 students
- Diverse representation in Senior Leadership positions
To Apply
Submit an application through Fessenden’s Career Site. Please include a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.
The Fessenden School encourages applications from candidates with diverse or minority backgrounds.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The Fessenden School believes that each individual is entitled to equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, ancestry, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local anti-discrimination laws.
We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas.
