The Academy of Our Lady of Peace (OLP) seeks a long-term, substitute, on-site Head Librarian & AP Research Teacher for the 2026-2027 academic school year who wants to make a positive impact on the lives of young women by upholding and communicating the school mission, philosophy, and core values while modeling behavior that inspires academic excellence and an enthusiasm for learning in a culture that fosters support for one another. In this dual role, the Head Librarian & AP Research Teacher will lead the school's library program as a hub of research, inquiry, and information literacy while teaching the AP Research course within the College Board AP Capstone program. The Teacher will help students learn and grow to become young women of heart, faith, courage, and excellence in the spirit of our sponsoring religious order, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.
OLP is the oldest remaining, single-gender, all-girls' Catholic school in San Diego. We welcome 750 young women to our campus, forming a diverse educational community that strives to educate students to the needs of society. As a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) school, OLP places a strong emphasis on 21st-century learning skills across the curriculum. The professional culture at OLP is committed to continuous improvement and lifelong learning.
Candidates applying should have experience in school library or academic library services and with teaching high school students, ideally within the AP Capstone program (AP Research and/or AP Seminar). Desirable skill sets include being well-versed in library management systems, research databases, and various forms and uses of technology, including the use of Google for Education tools, Learning Management Systems (LMS), Student Information Systems (SIS), and emerging learning technologies. Applicants must show a willingness to include and support diverse student learners; teach curriculum aligned with our OLP mission and the College Board AP Capstone framework; instruct using pedagogy centered around girls' unique learning styles and how they learn best; and work closely with fellow faculty in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and as a departmental team. OLP offers a competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with experience.
Library Leadership Responsibilities:
- Maintain the daily hours of the library, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., ensuring the library is open, staffed, and accessible to students and faculty throughout the school day.
- Oversee the daily operations of the library, including circulation activities (item check-in and check-out, overdue notices, fines, and reimbursement for lost or damaged materials) for the purpose of controlling the use, location, and availability of items in the collection.
- Lead collection development: evaluate, select, and curate books, media, periodicals, and digital resources for retention within the collection (e.g., repairing damaged books, recommending retirement of materials) to ensure the availability of current, mission-aligned resources.
- Maintain materials inventory and equipment (library books, textbooks, audio books, media equipment, computers, printers, magazines, newspapers, and related instructional materials) to provide an up-to-date reference and ensure availability when required.
- Supervise and direct the work of the Library Coordinator, as well as parent and student volunteers, to maintain a safe, welcoming environment conducive to learning.
- Supervise study halls, maintaining a quiet, productive environment that supports student learning and academic focus.
- Partner with teachers, students, and administrators to identify resource materials for use in classrooms, class assignments, and independent research projects.
- Teach and promote information literacy across the curriculum, including research and online search strategies, evaluation of sources, citation practices, and academic integrity.
- Coordinate textbook ordering and adoption with external vendors, working directly with Department Chairs, teachers, parents, and students to ensure all required course materials are ordered, distributed, and accessible before and throughout the school year.
- Manage the library budget; order books, supplies, and equipment to ensure availability as needed.
- Process library books, periodicals, software, and related media materials (logging into master files, barcoding, shelving, producing required reports) to provide students and staff with required materials.
- Prepare manual and electronic documents and reports (collection statistics, scheduling requests, renewal information, overdue lists, textbook orders, costs) to provide documentation and information to others.
- Respond to inquiries from students, staff, and parents (availability of books, finding appropriate reference documents, status of overdue fines) to provide information and/or direction as required.
- Manage library space reservations for classes, meetings, student club gatherings, and guest speaker events, including scheduling of study rooms, the Seminar Room, and the main library area; coordinate reservations through the library reservation form, QWare (in partnership with the Facilities Team), and the OLP Library Calendar.
- Curate and manage digital collections, including the online book catalog (OPAC) and the SORA ebook/audiobook platform, ensuring students, faculty, and staff can access and navigate digital resources.
- Lead reading engagement initiatives, including moderating the Faculty & Staff Book Club and promoting a culture of reading across the school community.
- Oversee library printing and scanning services, including administering student printing policies, assisting with scanning, and encouraging digital submission of work through Schoology.
- Establish and enforce library policies (e.g., food and drink restrictions, event cleanup expectations) to preserve the library as a clean, welcoming space for learning.
- Communicate regularly with faculty and staff regarding library services, resources, and updates.
- Participate in workshops, in-service training, and meetings to convey and/or gather information required to perform functions.
AP Research Teaching Responsibilities:
- Teach the AP Research course in alignment with the College Board AP Capstone framework, guiding students through the design, planning, and implementation of a year-long, self-directed research investigation culminating in an academic paper and a presentation with oral defense.
- Mentor students in research methodology, including question formulation, literature review, qualitative and quantitative methods, ethical research practices, data analysis, and scholarly writing.
- Ensure compliance with College Board policies and deadlines, including administration of performance tasks and submission of student work through the AP Digital Portfolio.
- Utilize a variety of instructional strategies tailored to girls' education and inclusive of technology, hands-on activities, checks for understanding, partner/small group collaboration, and connections to real-world experiences and careers.
- Develop curriculum and instructional approaches for high school classes. The Teacher will work with a mentor, the Department Chairperson, the Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction, and the Assistant Head of School to create a safe, positive, and growth-focused learning environment.
- Assess and report on student progress throughout the year.
- Support students through scheduled office hours outside of classroom time.
- Communicate professionally and effectively, both orally and in writing, to students, parents, guardians, and others in the OLP community as well as external constituencies.
General Responsibilities:
- Work positively and collaboratively with school personnel from multiple departments and community members.
- Attend monthly department, faculty, and PLC meetings; required meetings for new Teachers; and other school meetings as assigned.
- Substitute for absent faculty.
- Serve as a chaperone for student events (e.g., dances) and on-campus activities (e.g., lunch, break, detention). The number of chaperone and supervision duties are determined by the Assistant Principal of Student Life and the Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction.
- Moderate a minimum of 1 student extra-curricular activity or club.
- Perform other related duties, as assigned, for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the library and academic program.
Essential Skills/Qualifications:
This position requires a thorough understanding of library and information science principles, classroom instructional principles and practices, a high level of professionalism, attention to detail, self-motivation, organization, and familiarity with the mission of OLP. In addition, the ideal candidate must meet the following criteria:
- Bachelor's Degree (BA/BS) required; Master's Degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS) or related field preferred.
- Single Subject Teaching Credential and/or Teacher Librarian Services Credential (CA preferred); AP Capstone training (or willingness to complete a College Board AP Summer Institute for AP Research) strongly preferred.
- Experience with high school students and comfort working with faculty across departments.
- Well-versed in research methodology, online search strategies, research databases, and library management systems.
- Possession of relevant computer and technology skills, including G Suite/Google for Education and Microsoft Office.
- Knowledgeable of evolving pedagogy, differentiation, the use of quantitative and qualitative data to inform instruction, and curriculum tailored to girls' learning within a Catholic setting.
- Strong organization skills, including extraordinary attention to detail, with the ability to multitask across multiple projects and manage shifting priorities to meet all deadlines.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills; excellent interpersonal skills, including patience, discretion, a sense of humor, and good judgment.
- Student-centered with strong collaborative and interpersonal skills; motivated to learn and flexible in a changing environment.
- Have a passion to deepen every student's consciousness of worth and widen their possibilities for their future.
Required Documents:
At the time of submitting your application, OLP requires both a cover letter and a resume, along with three references from supervisors who have seen your work directly, verification of degree credentials, and a copy of transcripts.
Upon hiring, you will be required to complete a TB test, Livescan fingerprinting, and provide all official transcripts.
Fair Chance Act Compliance:
OLP will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act. You are not required to disclose your criminal history or undergo a background check until after a conditional job offer has been made. If a background check reveals information that OLP believes is directly related to the position, you will have the opportunity to explain the circumstances, provide mitigating evidence, or dispute the accuracy of the report. For more information, visit https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act/.
Equal Opportunity Employment
The Academy of Our Lady of Peace is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all qualified applicants receive equal consideration for employment. OLP prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law.
Federal or State Emergency Declarations:
The Academy of Our Lady of Peace (OLP), located at 4860 Oregon Street, San Diego, CA 92116, is in an area that may experience earthquake activity and is near a low flood zone. For more information on potential natural hazards, please visit the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services at https://myhazards.caloes.ca.gov/.
My submission of this application authorizes the school to conduct a background investigation and authorizes release of information in connection with my application for employment. This investigation may include such information as criminal or civil convictions, driving records, previous employers and educational institutions, personal references, professional references, and other appropriate sources. I waive my right of access to any such information, and without limitation hereby release Academy of Our Lady of Peace and reference source from any liability in connection with its release or use. This release includes the sources cited above and specific examples as follows: the local law enforcement agencies, information from the Central Criminal Records Exchange or either data on all criminal convictions or certification that no data on criminal convictions are maintained, information from the California or other State Department of Social Services Child Protective Services Unit and any locality to which they may refer for release of information to any findings of child abuse or neglect investigations involving me. Furthermore, I certify that I have made true, correct and complete answers and statements on this application in the knowledge that they may be relied upon in considering my application, and I understand that any omission or falsely answered statement made by me on this application, or any supplement to it will be sufficient grounds for failure to employ or for my discharge should I become employed with Academy of Our Lady of Peace.