Grade Head (HOD) Elementary School
My role as head of the department includes being responsible for my department’s development. So I need to be able to be both a good role model and invite others to observe me, and also able to analyze others’ teaching and guide them. I can only do this from a position of expertise.
I like what I am doing and I like to take care of my team. As a Grade Head or Head of Department, I listed my responsibilities below. It may sound too formal but that is exactly what I am doing in my position.
My responsibilities:
1. Model the school mission’s core values and abide by all school policies and procedures when interacting with the school community.
2. Hold weekly meetings with English teachers to facilitate action related to student achievements and grade-level performance.
3. Hold weekly meetings with all GH’s to ensure vertical alignment of the curriculum in Gr. 1-5.
4. Set curriculum objectives, lesson planning, and department needs. Provide collaboration meeting agenda followed by detailed minutes to administrators and team members after each meeting.
5. Develop and provide weekly lesson plans (for assigned teachers) and weekly schedules (for parents), aligned to the weekly lesson plan.
6. Mentor teachers in providing continuous advice and guidance to assigned teachers. Establish, promote, and maintain a positive and productive team spirit.
7. Review, revise, and share subject/grade level curriculum maps, and get feedback from the team.
8. Ensure natural integration of English, art, and media literacy is taking place in the planning and implementation across the grade level.
9. Hold bi-monthly meetings with the School Principal to discuss issues/concerns raised at the team level.
10. Review summative assessments.
11. Facilitate data teams to monitor students’ performance in the department on a quarterly basis. Assist the Admin in analyzing trends in student achievement data from standardized tests and use this information to improve instruction.
12. Issue semester-based homework calendar and monthly assessment calendar in coordination with English teachers in Gr.5
13. Ensure the proper implementation of school-approved programs by providing resources and guidance.
14. Assist team when needed (for example, Back to School Night, school events, etc.)
15. Plan and coordinate a minimum of 3 field trips per year that are in line with the curriculum of the Arabic HOD.
16. Guide the grade-level team in the annual budget process. Follow prioritizing guidelines for budgeting to ensure the materials ordered are necessary for instruction and aligned with the school’s curriculum, mission, and strategy. Submit the prioritized list to the Principal.
17. Work with teachers to select educational supplies, materials, and learning aids. Coordinate with Procurement and the storekeeper for timely delivery and distribution of the materials to teachers.
18. Follow up to ensure teachers’ input is updated on Skoolee as per the school’s requirements.
19. Ensure instructional materials are available for the substitute teacher for the grade level at all times.
20. Assist principals in reviewing report card comments (when needed).
21. Assist in determining the professional development needs of the department.