Stephen Chan
Each month RG175 does a "deeper dive" to get to know one of our Independent School colleagues. This month we are spotlighting Stephen Chan, Head of Middle School at Viewpoint School, a TK-12 day school in Calabasas, CA, where he also serves as the Middle School Coordinator of Diversity and Inclusion and Chair of Divisional Diversity Coordinators. He is also a Co-Lead History Teacher at Teachers College’s Klingenstein Summer Institute. Along the way, Steve has taught a variety of classes, including Debate, Civics, World History, US History, Information Literacy, and Geography. He earned a master’s degree in African history from UCLA and a bachelor’s degree in history from Pomona College.
What’s your connection to RG175?
Four years ago, I connected with RG175 when I saw that they were running the search for my current job. I was thrilled to work with them, because I had been watching for this position to become available. This job search was definitely targeted—it was the only job I applied for that year.
Can you summarize your experience working with RG175?
I was happy to work with RG175. I have worked with several members of their team in other capacities, so that assured me that they would represent me well and have my best interests in mind as I went through the search. Communication was timely and informative throughout the process, and I enjoyed working with the search consultants so much that I signed up to do professional development with them after I started my new job.
If you had one thing to recommend to other candidates, what would it be?
Do your research—because the independent school world is such a small one, you’re bound to know folks who know the schools that you’re targeting. Make sure that you know the community, the mission, and the overall feel of the school. Fit is everything—you’ll get the most out of the school, and they’ll get the most out of you too.
What do you enjoy most about your job as it pertains to Independent Schools?
I love the flexibility that the independent school world brings. No day is ever the same. In a single day I can host a parent coffee, work with teachers on curriculum, teach a class on Heian Japan, and observe a science lesson. I am so glad that we’re finally able to have all of our Middle School students in the same location for assemblies. I missed the spirit of having the whole division together at the same time—I love the spirit, the energy, and the fun of independent schools.
What are some of your greatest achievements?
Middle School teachers love working with this age group, and I have worked hard to build morale and understanding among our faculty. I’ve built trusting relationships with teachers so they feel free to experiment and innovate in their classrooms. I had great mentors as I built my career, and I believe strongly in paying it forward. I’ve mentored early career teachers at the Klingenstein Summer Institute as well as the schools where I have worked. I'm really pleased that one of my mentees recently got a deanship at one of our neighboring schools. I’m especially happy for him because I taught him when he was an eighth grader!
How has Covid-19 affected your job/business and how have you adapted?
COVID presented a unique set of challenges that caused schools to pivot with little advance notice. Brainstorming sessions and open discussions helped to navigate the unfolding situation and the start of remote learning. I am well aware of what a burden all of the shifts have placed on teachers, but through it all I’ve been blessed to work with a group of remarkable, resilient people. Teachers know that I’ll roll up my sleeves with them. I asked them to support schedule changes I was bringing specifically for Middle School during remote teaching and they embraced the requests I presented. We all have our students’ best interests in mind, and I am glad that we were able to embrace (and emerge from) remote learning so well.