Department Chair - Fine Arts

• Position Type:
  High School Teaching/ Department Chair
• Date Posted: 1/7/2026
• Location:
  
  Waubonsie Valley High School
• Date Available:
  
  08/2026
• Closing Date:
  Until Filled
• District:
  Indian Prairie School District 204

Perform functions to manage departmental activities, budget and curriculum, and instruct students on adopted curriculum ensuring each individual is provided with the knowledge, proficiencies and experiences necessary to become mature, able and socially responsible. This is a full‑time position that includes department chair and teaching responsibilities in the Fine Arts department. There are also paid extended contract days associated with this position.

Department chair duties include evaluation of licensed personnel. Pursuant to School Code Section 24A‑3, any evaluator undertaking an evaluation after September 1, 2012, must first successfully complete a prequalification program provided or approved by the Illinois State Board of Education. The department chair's position is expressly contingent upon the chair successfully completing such a prequalification program prior to September 1 of the school term, and maintaining the qualification throughout the remainder of the school term.

The department chair may be removed from the chair position if the chair fails to successfully complete the prequalification program by September 1 and/or fails to remain properly qualified to evaluate certified personnel.

• Serve as instructional leader within curriculum area. Analyze student grade data and standardized assessment data to plan and implement modifications to improve student and teacher performance.
• Assist administrators in the selection and evaluation of candidates and teachers.
• Serve as a mentor on classroom management.
• Organize department to schedule teaching assignments which ensure the smooth transition between grade levels.
• Ensure the maintenance of books, materials, technology and equipment.
• Develop, implement and monitor the department budget.
• Schedule department meetings to deal with routine needs and staff development.
• Plan and instruct students on district and state approved curriculum.
• Enrich or modify lessons and curriculum as needed to meet individual student's needs and varying levels of progress.
• Construct and conduct assessments to evaluate progress. Implement standardized assessments as directed.
• Review student progress via assessments, maintain records of student work, and develop intervention strategies to ensure student success and growth.
• Communicate both verbally and in writing with parents and students on progress.
• Actively participate on various building and district teams or committees. Provide feedback and act as liaison to other building staff.
• Collaborate with other staff in planning, modifying, enhancing and implementing curriculum and school objectives working cooperatively and collaboratively with the district director on matters concerning the overall curriculum area.
• Plan, facilitate and participate in staff development and school improvement activities in order to maintain professional growth. Plan and incorporate best practices or new strategies.
• Establish a safe atmosphere conducive to a positive learning environment. Act as role model on appropriate behaviors ensuring social and emotional development is progressing normally.
• Enforce and support school policies, philosophies and objectives with students and parents.
• Participate in events outside of the regularly scheduled work day such as orientation, open houses or conferences.

Responsible to manage employee engaged in instruction. Hire and train employees, assign, review and check work, eliminate ordinary difficulties, enforce organizational policies, establish performance standards, and evaluate employee performance.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

The qualified candidate will have a valid Illinois Professional Educator License with secondary endorsements in one of the CTE areas:
Music or Art. Preferences include: experienced department chair leadership responsibilities, culturally responsive and equity mindset expectation, range of teaching experience including co‑taught, AP level or dual credit, and multiple grade levels.

Salary is commensurate with education and experience and will be determined by the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, which is currently under negotiation (effective July 1, 2026). To establish a baseline, the current IPEA 2025–2026 Salary & Stipend Schedule and benefits as outlined in the current contract IPEA Contract 2022–26 are available for review.

High school.

Qualified candidates will be contacted by the appropriate building administrator.