Job Description

Mission Statement

Annie Wright’s strong community cultivates individual learners to become well-educated, creative, and responsible citizens for a global society.

Position Description

The Academic Affairs Associate works closely with the Director of the Upper Schools and under the direction of the Assistant Director of Academic Affairs to support the day-to-day processes involved in academic programming and the IB Diploma Programme in the Upper Schools and teaches two academic classes in a department appropriate to their teaching experience. The Academic Affairs Associate is a well-organized and motivational educator who thinks deeply about effective teaching, is thrilled to work with students and their families, and is eager to support the growth of colleagues. 

As a key partner in supporting and upholding the academic program in the Upper Schools, the Academic Affairs Associate manages a diverse array of academic-focused administrative tasks and projects, ranging from supporting exam administration to participating in teacher observations. The Academic Affairs Associate is an experienced teacher who excels in collaborative work and is effective in maintaining organized systems, managing projects, meeting deadlines, and working with others to support team goals. 

The Academic Affairs Associate is an integral part of the Upper Schools faculty, is flexible and open-minded, and finds joy and energy in working as part of a team. In both academic and co-curricular spaces, the Academic Affairs Associate is a mentor, a guide and an advocate for student voice and exploration and is integral in supporting and developing the well-educated, creative and responsible citizens Annie Wright Schools aspire to cultivate . In their administrative role, the Academic Affairs Associate is steady as we hone and maintain practices that have proven to be effective, and is enthusiastic in implementing new strategies as well.

Position Overview: Duties and Responsibilities

The Academic Affairs Associate:

• Teaches two academic classes;
• Reports to the Director of the Upper Schools and the Assistant Director of Academic Affairs;
• Facilitates various annual tasks related to the execution of the IB Diploma Programme under the supervision of the Assistant Director of Academic Affairs, including helping to set and communicate IB deadlines for students’ IB work; assisting in gathering and distributing IB Predicted Grades; assisting in IB registration; organizing and leading IB Mock exams in January; supporting teachers in uploading IB work into IB’s online system; registering teachers for required IB training; and leading some parts of the May IB examinations;
• Helps to organize and administer semester final examinations;
• Assists the Assistant Director of Academic Affairs in gathering course placement recommendations from teachers, distributing them to students, and administering the course placement request form to students;
• Assists the College Counseling Team in running the PSAT/SAT examinations in October;
• Assists the Academic Team in completing specific assigned observations of teachers in order to give feedback about strengths and areas of growth in the execution of the IB curriculum;
• Serves as an Academic Advocate for assigned students who require additional academic support and a family liaison;
• Supports classroom coverage for absent teachers and to create opportunities for peer observations;
• Supports the academic team in the day-to-day execution of new program systems and initiatives;

• Assists the Academic Team in running academic professional development for faculty as needed.

Salary and Benefits

This position offers a salary range between $75,000 and $88,000, depending on qualifications and experience. Benefits available to the hired candidate include the following, subject to the terms of the applicable benefit plan:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Life insurance
• Accidental death & dismemberment insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• Paid sick leave (known as Wellness Days): Each regular full-time employee earns 80 hours of Wellness leave per accrual year
• Eighteen (18) paid Holidays in 2025
• Fifty percent (50%) Tuition remission in accordance with school policy. All fees and incidental expenses are the sole responsibility of the employee-parent
• All children of benefited employees of AWS, who are currently enrolled at AWS, are eligible for extended day services at no charge when school is in session. Charges apply for faculty in-service days or similar days  
• A 403(b) retirement plan with a 6% company match with a 3% employee contribution. 

Application Process

Annie Wright Schools remain firmly committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity. Annie Wright shall hire, promote, transfer, terminate, and make all other employment-related decisions without regard to an employee’s race, color, creed, sex, religion, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, political ideology, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or any other basis prohibited by law. Annie Wright Schools are actively seeking to create a more culturally diverse school community and accordingly, applicants of color and underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply. 

To apply, email a cover letter, resume, email, and telephone contact information for 3-5 professional references, and this completed and signed application , all in PDF format, to Mrs. Erin Gann, Executive Assistant to the Head of Schools, at [email protected] . In accordance with Annie Wright Schools’ strategic focus on issues related to social justice, candidates should anticipate being asked to address how their past work, as well as future contributions, might serve to advance Annie Wright’s commitment to a more diverse and inclusive community. Applications for this position will be accepted until filled.

Qualifications

The Upper Schools Academic Affairs Associate will demonstrate key elements of the listed expertise and experiences. This is an aspirational list and Annie Wright Schools encourages candidates to apply who may not currently possess, but are working on building, all of these qualities. The Academic Affairs Associate:

• Holds a BA in the teaching subject or a related field; 
• Has experience as a teacher at the high school level;
• Excels in managing projects and meeting deadlines;
• Is collaborative and a positive team member, working well with colleagues to support team goals;
• Demonstrates proficiency in educational technologies and an ability to learn new digital systems as requested and maintain organized digital records and files;
• Is familiar with independent schools and/or the International Baccalaureate framework; 
• Is a strong communicator and empathetic listener;
• Practices cultural humility in personal interactions;
• Is innovative and playful;
• Is a mentor, a guide, and a team builder; 
• Demonstrates an ability to form authentic relationships with high school students;
• Is eligible to work in the United States. Note: Under our current employment policies, we are unable to sponsor work visas and do not offer positions to candidates who are not yet eligible to work in the United States.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to sit and stand for extended periods;
• Must be able to move comfortably around a classroom, accessing materials and assisting students as needed;
• Must be able to communicate and exchange information with students, other teachers, and families. 
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times. 

About Annie Wright Schools

Tradition meets innovation at Annie Wright Schools, where we honor our rich history and traditions, embrace the present, and continue always to move forward. Founded in 1884, Annie Wright Schools serve students from age three through high school. The Lower and Middle Schools offer co-ed programs in Preschool through Grade 8, while separate Upper Schools for boys and girls offer day and boarding options in Grades 9 through 12, welcoming students from Tacoma and around the world. We are proud to be an International Baccalaureate World School, delivering IB programs in every division.

Connections working at Annie Wright Schools

Job Tags

Holiday work, Full time, Part time, Work visa, Flexible hours,

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