Career Center

Who we are?

Ethical Culture Fieldston School is a progressive PreK-12 independent school that has been serving students from throughout New York City and the surrounding suburbs since 1878. ECFS offers a rich curriculum in the arts, sciences, and humanities. A co-ed, nonsectarian school, it serves a diverse community of about 1,700 students on two campuses -- one in the Riverdale section of the Bronx and the other in Manhattan. Fieldston Lower, located in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, is comprised of approximately 270 students Pre-K through 5th Grade and 60 faculty members.

What is essential about working at our school?

The Ethical Culture Fieldston School has a long history of equity and inclusion deeply rooted in our mission and the educational philosophy of our founder, Felix Adler. We embrace diversity of ancestry, family, identity, culture, and beliefs and seek a student body and faculty that reflect the pluralism and socio-economic diversity of metropolitan New York. We affirm both our differences and commonalities and strive to balance individuality and community. In keeping with our progressive tradition, we are dedicated to increasing our students’ cultural literacy to help them understand multiple perspectives and see the world beyond the self. 

We expect members of our community to engage in open dialogue about living and learning in a diverse environment inside and outside the classroom. We see this work, with its creative tensions, as a catalyst for individual and collective growth. On a daily basis, we are committed to making this vision of a democratic, pluralistic, and progressive school a reality. 

Position Summary

Fieldston Lower School seeks a highly qualified and experienced Assistant Principal of Academic Life beginning in July 2022. The successful candidate will join an administrative team that includes the Fieldston Lower Principal, Assistant Principal of Student Life, Math Coordinator, and DEI Coordinator.  The Assistant Principal reports to the Fieldston Lower Principal.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience as an instructional coach supporting teachers’ pedagogical and professional growth.
• Experience with supervision, evaluation, and support of faculty and knowledge of different approaches to supervision and evaluation.
• Knowledge and demonstrated effectiveness with curriculum design and planning, specifically interdisciplinary curriculum development.

• Ability to also lead as the language arts coordinator.
• Knowledge and understanding of research on best progressive pedagogical practices, including inquiry-based learning, project-based learning, as well as differentiation, and performance-based assessment models.
• An understanding of the pedagogical needs and development of children throughout the elementary years
• Commitment and passion for creating and nurturing an inclusive and diverse learning environment to support the development of the whole child.
• A positive, flexible, and professional approach to working with various school constituencies including faculty, students, parents, and school staff.
• Cultural competence and understanding with experience implementing culturally responsive approaches to teaching and learning. 
• Excellent problem-solving skills, high emotional intelligence and sense of humor.
• A demonstrated commitment to lifelong learning and a willingness to take intellectual risks, ask questions, be open and welcoming of feedback, and comfortable in offering professional feedback to colleagues. 

Responsibilities

• Plans and supervises our Pre-K - 5 curriculum review to ensure alignment both vertically and horizontally 
• Oversees a continuum of clear learning objectives and a scope and sequence of skills from Pre-K to 5th Grade
• Supervises, coordinates, articulates and evaluates the implementation of PreK - 5th grade curriculum in collaboration with the Principal and the admin team
• Leads and coordinate the language arts curriculum
• Supports teachers in using assessments to oversee the implementation and effectiveness of curriculum and instruction
• Partners with Assistant Principal of Student Life, Math Coordinator, DEI Coordinator, and other school leaders, to develop mission-based best practices related to ethics, service learning, diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Collaborates with administrators around the hiring, retention, and recruitment of classroom teachers
• Supervises and evaluates faculty
• Designs and implements new teacher orientation program in collaboration with administrative team
• Works with administrative team to support associate teachers
• Develops and leads meaningful professional development to nurture a vibrant environment for teachers and students in collaboration with the administrative team
• Keeps faculty and administration informed of current research-based instruction techniques 

Qualifications

• A Master’s degree or higher, preferably in educational leadership and/or curriculum and instruction
• At least 8 years of distinguished classroom teaching experience with elementary school students
• At least 3 years of prior leadership experience preferred
• Experience with student-centered/inquiry-based teaching, project-based learning, performance-based approaches to assessment, and progressive pedagogy and instruction
• A proven commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice
• Strong communication skills

All candidates should visit our employment page at www.ecfs.org to apply. Please send a letter of interest, a resume, and contact information for three references. We will be accepting applications until the position is filled.  

EEO

ECFS is an equal opportunity employer. Our goal is to be a diverse community of professionals that broadly reflects the people of the metropolitan New York City area, our students, and families. We aim to align our hiring process with our mission and institutional goals. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion or religious practices, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national origin, age, ability status, military status, unemployment status or any other category protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws. ECFS takes affirmative action in support of its policy to employ and advance all qualified candidates.