French Teacher Amanda Moritz has been named Instructional Supervisor (IS) of World Languages starting in the 2025-2026 school year following the retirement of current IS and Spanish Teacher, Danita Fitch.
The process of becoming an IS is long and rigorous, Principal Dr. Barbara Georges said. The first stage, which happened in December, is collecting information about what qualities are necessary for the next department leader, she explained. After two rounds of interviews, three remaining candidates completed a performance task of either presenting a PowerPoint, responding to a project, or writing a sample email, which happened in January, Georges said.
“[Moritz] was the unanimous result,” Georges said. “She did an exceptional job in her interview series, [and] she’s going to be a great next leader of the World Languages Department.”
Fitch began working at South in 1994, over 30-years-ago, but has been the IS of World Languages for 20 years. Before coming to South, Fitch taught a year of Spanish and worked as an English Language Learner Teacher at East Leyden High School. Moritz feels grateful to have this opportunity and cannot wait to lead the department and offer guidance to teachers the same way Fitch did.
“I feel really lucky,” Moritz said. “[The] World Languages [Department] has been such an amazing department for so many years because of [Fitch’s] leadership, and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to follow [in her footsteps].”
Although there are many responsibilities that vary on a day-to-day basis, Moritz’s overall goal is to expand opportunities and access to cultural and linguistic experiences for students, she said. The IS must oversee the curriculum for all courses and grading and support not only students but also teachers who work in their departments, Fitch said.
“[The IS is] an advocate for students and staff,” Moritz said. “They are the person who you would go to if you have questions or concerns. They’re a partner with parents, community members, and students.”
Moritz has taught French for 11 years, but has spent 10 years in the District, she said. She spent six years at North, and it is her fourth at South, Fitch said.
Instructional Supervisors are still required to teach one class to stay up to date with their teachers and students, Fitch said. As Moritz switches positions, it is essential to find a balance between teaching and supervising, she said.
“It’s important for the [IS] to wear two hats; when I’m teaching, I’m in teacher mode,” Moritz said. “When it comes to being the IS, I have to be unbiased, and I have [to make] decisions that will positively impact [the] entire department.”
