Improving Communication

Among Colleagues

Presented to:
HDS Lower School Specialty Teachers

Presented by: Lauren Buth

Date: April 20th, 2022
Title Page 1
Presentation Objective:

● Present and support the idea of creating a department

chair for specialist teachers

Standards:
TLMS Standard: Domain 1: Fosters a Collaborative Culture to
Support Educator Development and Student Learning

NBPTS Standard: Proposition 5: Teachers are Members of

Professional Communities
Objectives 2
Educational Hook

1) What is the purpose of a Department Chair?

2) How does/can a Department Chair help you as a teacher?

Educational Hook 3
Generic Roles of Department Chairs

➢ Oversee Curriculum Development

➢ Ensure quality teaching
➢ Support extracurricular activities
➢ General support to department faculty*
➢ Supports/Encourages professional development
➢ Write a post for the Weekly
➢ Assist in the hiring of new faculty in that department
➢ Act as liaison between faculty and administration*

Presentation Content 4
Why Create a Department Chair for Specialists

➢ To improve communication between colleagues that will:

○ Prevent inconveniences that may occur due to lack
of communication
○ Provide support for each other
○ Execute smoother transportation of classes

Presentation Content 5
Why Create a Department Chair for Specialists

➢ Provide a voice for specialist teachers who may feel:

○ Taken advantage of
○ Their opinion is not often taken into account

Presentation Content 6
Why Create a Department Chair for Specialists

➢ Build respect for specialist teachers who may feel that:

○ Others don’t view them as equals
○ Others don't think they work as hard as they do
○ Specialist classes are treated as “just for fun”

Presentation Content 7
Pause for Consideration

➢ Has there been a situation where you would have liked

support from another specialist teacher or
administrator?
○ Would a department chair have been utilized in this
situation?

Progress Monitoring 8
 How Many Students do We Teach?
Teacher Grade Levels # of Students # of classes each week Length of lessons

Joel K-4 220 2 sections, twice a week 30-40 min

Kristi K-3 176 2 sections, 3 times a week 30 min

Leslie K-4 220 2 sections, twice a week (k split into 4) 30-40 min

Derick K-6, Elective (8) 315 + elective K-2 (1x); 3-5 (x2); 6 (x1); 8 (x2) 30-45 min
Advis. Advis.10 min - 1hr

Sean 1st Sem: 1-4, 7 1st: ~226 1st Sem: 1-4(x2 split); 7xyz(x2) 1st Sem: 30-50 min
2nd Sem: K-4 2nd: 220 2nd Sem: K-4 (x2 split) 2nd Sem: 30 min

Jo 1-4, 6-8; advis. ~326 + advis 1 section, 5 times a week 30-50 min + advis

Joshua K-2, 5-8; advis. ~326 + advis 1 section, 5 times a week 30-50 min + advis

Katie C. K, 3-8; advis. ~326 + advis 1 section, 5 times a week 30-50 min + advis

Lauren K-4, 6 237 K-4, 2 sections, 2x a week; 6th 4 times 30-50 min
9
How a Department Chair Could Help You at HDS

➢ It can improve communication and relationships between

teachers
○ Teacher to teacher concerns
○ Student learning/behavioral concerns

Presentation Content 10
How a Department Chair Could Help You at HDS

➢ Assisting with scheduling

○ Scheduling requests for specialist teachers
○ Duties outside of teaching

Presentation Content 11
How a Department Chair Could Help You at HDS

➢ Mentoring/Coaching
○ Incoming specialist teachers
○ Provide resources and strategies for the
classroom
○ Provide assistance on parent teacher
communication

Presentation Content 12
What Questions Do You Have?

➢ Are there any concerns you have if the school were to

create a department chair for specialist teachers?

Progress Monitoring 13
Department Chairs at HDS
➢ Below is the current list of department chairs at HDS:
○ English/Literature - Justin
○ LS Social Studies - Sarah
○ MS Social Studies - Jon
○ MS Math - Meggen
○ LS Math - Amy
○ Science - JP
○ Art - Leslie
○ World Language - Heather
○ Music - Joel
○ P.E. - Jo
○ LS Tech - Casey
○ Associates - Carole
Presentation Content 14
Final Thoughts

➢ What is one way a Department Chair for Specialist Teachers

could help you here in your specific position at Harbor Day
School?

Culminating Question 15