Academic Program Director

The mission of the Idyllwild Arts Foundation is “Changing lives through the transformative power of art.” The Idyllwild Arts Academy provides pre-professional training in the arts and a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum to a diverse student body of gifted young artists from all over the world. The Idyllwild Arts Summer Program provides arts instruction and experiences of the highest caliber to a diverse student population of all ages and abilities. Idyllwild is a small town located at over 5,000 feet on the western slopes of California's San Jacinto Mountains. Even though it seems far from the hustle and bustle of city life, the town and campus frequently hosts music festivals, prominent speakers and artists, and community events. Los Angeles and San Diego are only two hours by car.

Position Description

Position:  Academic Program Director 

Location: Idyllwild, 92549

Reports To: Head of School

Supervises: Academic Coordinators, Academic Faculty, Library Coordinator, Registrar

Status: Full-time, 12 months, Exempt

Job Summary:

The ideal candidate is a dynamic and thoughtful communicator who can successfully champion faculty voices and support growth with a demonstrated ability to make community-informed decisions. This person will have a passion for working with teachers, department heads, and students. Attention to detail, strong organizational and communication skills, and commitment to living and working in a boarding school community are desirable. The Assistant Head of School for Teaching and Learning provides leadership in and management of the curriculum, innovations in teaching, and evaluations, promoting an environment of academic life that reflects the mission and values of the school, including Idyllwild Arts' ongoing commitment to being an anti-racist and inclusive institution, through policy and practice. Working closely with the Head of School and Assistant Head of School for Student Life, the Academic Program Director is responsible for furthering our vision for building and maintaining a rigorous academic program. The Academic Program Director will work in partnership with faculty to establish mission-appropriate standards and provide support for the specific needs and concerns of individual teachers and departments.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work in close consultation with the Head of School in all academic faculty and student matters.
• Collaborate with the Head of School and Assistant Head of Student Life to develop curriculum standards and nurture community. 
• Maintain and edit the academic curriculum guide.
• Chair the school-wide curriculum review committee and make recommendations for changes and adoptions to the Head of School.
• Observe, supervise, and evaluate academic faculty in the development and implementation of curriculum; manage the teaching process, and evaluate the effectiveness of the Academic program.
• Ensure compliance with legal requirements of government regulations and agencies; help  maintain the educational standards established by the State of California, WASC, CAIS, and any other agencies that examine and accredit the school. 
• Establish programs for the orientation of new academic instructors, assist in the planning and implementation of in-service training for all faculty, and for the evaluation of academic instructors. Ensure that academic faculty are familiar with and adhere to school policies in all areas of the school’s operations. 
• Assist in the creation of the school calendar.
• Research, learn, and implement best practices for teaching and learning with an emphasis on new pedagogical approaches, AI, and art-supported curricular practices.
• Implement consistent teaching practices in LMS management, classroom management, AI, and baseline, grade level pedagogy.
• Supervise and meet with academic area coordinators and the Library Coordinator.
• In conjunction with the Registrar, maintain lists of academic achievements (honor roll) and elevate the role of academic education in the community.
• Investigate matters of academic integrity and, in conjunction with the Assistant Head of Student Life, determine appropriate consequences.
• Organize and/or participate in key committees or groups as determined by the Head of School. 
• Supervise, in conjunction with the Counseling Center, all student leaves of absence, coordinating with academic faculty to ensure seamless communication and understanding.
• Supervise the Registrar; maintain accurate academic records; oversee the grading and reporting used by teachers measuring student achievement.
• Collaborate with the Head of School, Assistant Head of School for Student Life, Arts Chairs and the Registrar to prepare a master class schedule and, in conjunction with the Executive Director of Counseling and the Registrar, determine teacher assignments.
• Work with the Executive Director of the CCSE to coordinate semester exchange and post-graduate programming. 
• Serve as a consultant and coach to academic faculty in matters of classroom management, pedagogy, and general school procedures.
• Collaborate with Admissions in the process of testing, interviewing, and evaluating applicants for potential enrollment.
• Make recommendations to the Head of School regarding the hiring, retention, and the assignment of faculty.
• Serve as the head of search committees with regard to academic faculty positions.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Head of School.

Required Education, Skills and Experience:

• Master's degree in Education or a related field with a strong understanding of current research on teaching and learning. 
• Proven experience as a successful classroom teacher with a demonstrated record of effective instruction. 
• Leadership experience in curriculum development, professional development, and data analysis. 
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills. 
• Ability to lead and motivate others, fostering a positive culture of continuous improvement. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENTS 

While performing the duties of this position an incumbent may be required to: 

• Regularly remain sedentary for long periods of time in meetings and while processing information and paper work both manually and on a computer. 
• Reach with the hands and arms and use of hands to finger, type, and manipulate a computer keyboard and mouse. 
• Additionally, the incumbent must be able to converse in clear English both written and orally, over a telephone and in person. 
• Be able to make public presentations. 
• Occasionally, incumbent may be required to lift up to 25 pounds, traverse uneven terrain and climb stairs while moving about campus, bend and stoop, conduct tours and show visitors campus facilities. 
• Provide their transportation for local and remote events.
• Work hours vary and may include days, nights, and weekends. 

Reasonable accommodation will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.