Head of Middle School/Director of Academics

Why Pike? 

What is still possible? Amidst a most atypical year - a year of metaphorical and concrete loss, of tremendous racial injustice - this is the guiding question Pike has held at its center. These crises, of health and justice, have challenged us to find new ways to best live our mission and vision. Our teachers are at the heart of Pike and have been innovative beyond imagination. They have redesigned lessons and assessments to build connection, inspire curiosity, and sustain growth while six feet apart, masked, or via screens. Our motto, Non Sibi Solum, Not for Oneself Alone, has called each of us to adjust our individual lives for our collective well being. Guided by new policies, our shared sacrifices have helped our community stay healthy and our campus open five days a week, every week thus far. Yet, even in the midst of worldwide disruption, we continue to stretch ourselves to envision a brighter future. As a new school year, a new strategic plan, and a healthier world await us, we believe we are on the cusp of this brighter future, a world more worthy of our children. If you are also looking ahead - inquisitive, hopeful, and eager, would you like to help create the future with us? 

Working at Pike means immersing yourself in a student-centered culture and a compassionate, diverse community. Opportunities for strategic thinking, innovation and learning are plentiful. If you’re passionate, motivated, and can’t help but dream about what’s possible for all children – we invite you to take a closer look at Pike. The Pike School, an independent elementary school in Andover, MA, serves approximately 450 students in grades pre-kindergarten through nine. Learn more about our commitment to possibility and apply here.

The Opportunity 
Head of Middle School/Director of Academics 

The Head of Middle School/Director of Academics is the educational leader of the Middle School (Grades 3-5) and the academic leader for the school facilitating congruence between mission, vision, and the academic program. With the heart of an educator, this person has a passion for Middle School aged children (Grades 3-5) and developing the leadership of those who teach them. A strategic visionary with expertise in curriculum design, instruction, and assessment, this leader understands the craft and science behind masterful teaching and inspires a growth mindset through their actions and words. This person is committed to building deep relationships across divisions to support people through change with a sense of purpose and possibility. This leader will collaborate with division and department heads to design systems, processes, and structures that will facilitate a cohesive and consistent experience in schoolwide curricular and co-curricular programs. This leader is eager to design the future of education and committed to enhancing Pike’s leadership among independent schools nationwide as well as their own thought leadership within their profession. 

Core Responsibilities 

Faculty Recruitment, Development, and Retention

• Nurture and sustain a Middle School climate for faculty and staff which is curious, culturally competent, and goals-oriented 
• In partnership with the Lower and Upper Division Heads and the Director of Equity and Justice, actively recruit, hire, and develop Pre-K-9 faculty from underrepresented groups 
• Work with Lower and Upper Division Heads to support faculty members’ goals and oversee the annual faculty evaluation process; coordinate an active program of faculty development including orientation and mentoring

Students and Families 

• Act as the chief articulator in writing and public speaking of the Middle School programs, philosophy, expectations, behavioral guidelines, and other information
• Ensure a coordinated and aligned program across divisions; meet regularly with Division Heads, the Director of Learning Services, the Coordinator of Instructional Support, and/or the Director of Counseling Services to assure that individual students’ educational, physical, social, and psychological needs are being met with goal-oriented plans; serve on team that provides support to students in crisis and facing social-emotional or behavioral difficulty
• Support the Office of External Affairs in recruiting and evaluating admission candidates for Grades 3-5 and serve on the Middle School admission team

Curriculum and Program

• Serve as the Middle School curricular leader; design, refine, and oversee implementation of a well-balanced and developmentally appropriate program for Grades 3-5 with a diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice lens; support the work of Professional Learning Teams (PLTs) and the Coordinator of Instructional Support ensuring that teachers have the resources to plan, assess, and reflect collaboratively about teaching and learning 
• Oversee Pre-K-9 curricula and ensure that teaching and learning methodologies and practices are cohesive across divisions and align with Pike’s mission, vision, and values, strategic initiatives, and current and evolving research on learning and the brain 
• Work with Lower and Upper Division Heads, Department Heads, and others to design and develop necessary structures to enable robust conversation and evaluation of school goals, departmental goals, materials, methods, and means of assessments

Desired Qualities and Qualifications 

• A passion for Middle School aged children (Grades 3-5) and a record of outstanding teaching as well as thoughtful innovation moderated by a skillful and sensitive approach to change
• Deep expertise in curriculum design, instruction, and assessment and prior experience in the development of strategic programs and systems across grades and/or departments
• Personal and professional commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice and the requisite skillfulness to support student and faculty growth in this area and to facilitate critical conversations in the design of more inclusive curriculum and programs 
• High emotional intelligence and sensitivity to organizational dynamics; exceptional organizational and interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with inspiration and clarity and build trust across a wide range of audiences 
• The confidence and humility to advocate for new ideas, invite healthy debate, and welcome feedback 
• A big picture, future-oriented thinker with evidence of continued, post-collegiate learning and growth

Interested candidates should apply via our website at https://www.pikeschool.org/about/employment and submit a resume and a cover letter, which addresses how your experience meets the expectations of the position as stated above.