Sinai Akiba Academy, a co-educational, independent, Jewish day school serving students from Toddlers through 8th grade, seeks an educational leader as its Lower School Director, to begin July 1, 2021. Sinai Akiba Academy’s enrollment is approximately 575 students with close to 260 students in grades K-5. As stated in the School’s mission, “Sinai Akiba Academy engages students in the joy and discipline of learning. We nurture a community of ethical critical thinkers who, shaped by our evolving Jewish tradition, walk through the world with confidence and humility.” The School shares space with Sinai Temple and is accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). Reporting directly to the Head of School, the Lower School Director is a member of the Administrative Team and works closely with the ECC Director, Judaic Studies Director, and Middle School Director along with other administrators to ensure continuity in programs, communications, and operations. Sinai Akiba’s learning environment encourages children to gain a sense of meaning and belonging. Academics and values infuse the rigorous, interdisciplinary curriculum within a dual language program. Students learn in both English and Hebrew every day, reaping the proven cognitive and social benefits of learning in more than one language. In addition, students build their critical thinking skills by engaging authentically with Jewish texts and traditions on a daily basis. The Lower School Director works closely with the Director of Hebrew and Judaic Studies. The Lower School Director is responsible for curriculum development, planning, implementation, supervision, and oversight of the overall operations of the Lower School Division, grades K-5. Working with the faculty, the Lower School Director is charged with overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Lower School, as well as articulating a clear and compelling vision for the division’s future. With a highly capable faculty, diverse student body, committed parents and a strong commitment to professional development, the School is in a uniquely attractive position for the many possibilities that lie ahead. While helping to preserve the best of the Lower School’s traditions, beliefs and practices, the new Director will have considerable opportunity to work with the faculty and the rest of the administrative team to develop the vision and direction of the Lower School program and provide leadership in establishing divisional goals. As part of that challenge, the Director, in consultation and with support of the Head of School, will lead the faculty in strengthening a program that makes use of the most recent findings in how children learn, recognizes the need for differentiation in both instruction and assessment, provides opportunities for integration and innovations as well as thoughtful and productive collaboration both in and out of the classroom. |