At MBS, academic department chairs rotate every five years. Teachers who decide they would like to become a department head must apply for the role and go through a series of interviews with faculty from the department and other administrators similar to how it works when you apply to become a teacher. This year, the tenure of both the current English and Design Arts department chairs will come to an end. The incoming department chairs are Ms. Kate Muttick, English, and Ms. Jaimie Bass, Design Arts.
A department chair’s job is to help manage the day to day operation of their specific department. In addition to a teaching load of 3 classes, they coordinate student schedules, support teachers in the corresponding department, and help to form the curriculum.
English
Muttick, English teacher and current Director of the Center for Academic Writing, is looking forward to continuing the work Ms. Nikolin Eyrich, the previous English Department Head, has started. Not only does Muttick want to create a real sense of community among the English faculty, she hopes to give the best instruction to ensure high-quality learning. As a former student at MBS, Muttick always loved her English teachers, and through her high school career, was ignited with her passion for writing and literature. Muttick said, “It is an honor to serve in this role and serve the department that helped shape me.” As she moves into this position, Muttick is eager to advance writing instruction by meeting with English teachers, expanding the types of writing students engage with, and focusing on how students interact with writing as she is passionate about writing herself.
Design Arts
As the Design Arts department chair, Bass will oversee student placement in upper level courses, coordinate art-based independent studies, and take part in numerous meetings to connect teachers and administration. She looks forward to increasing local community outreach and engagement. Bass said, “there are many opportunities in our geographical area that support and celebrate the arts, and it is my hope that we can tap into that more in the coming years.” Additionally, Bass is looking forward to working closely with the art department in order to keep improving the curriculum to fit the needs of students in both the Upper School and Middle School. Bass is currently focusing on improving and modifying the classes the Middle School offers. Community outreach, gallery space utilization, student talent showcasing, cross-curricular engagement, and sectioning/alignment are the five areas Bass hopes to work on during her time as department chair. She intends to continue advancing the department in an inventive and positive way. Bass holds a Masters in Educational Leadership and Administration, which inspired her personal goal for academic leadership.