Details
Posted: 18-Jan-23
Location: Englewood, New Jersey
Type: Full Time
Salary: Commensurate with experience
Categories:
Other
Preferred Education:
Masters
The Elisabeth Morrow School (EMS), a leader in education from early childhood through middle school, believes that diversity is a positive aspect of our lives and an essential element of education. We recognize and respect that diversity exists in the languages we speak, the colors of our skin, our gender identities, gender expressions, ages, and sexual orientations, the traditions we observe, the structures of our families, the financial and educational resources in our families, and our neurology. We believe that our separate heritages, beliefs, and choices of expression help to define us as individuals and that our commitment to learning about one another and the larger world unites us as a community. Differences and similarities of all kinds are acknowledged and explored with respect.
Reporting to the Head of School, the Director of Community Life, Equity, and Belonging will be an integral part of the leadership team at a school that is strongly committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Director will become part of an exciting new leadership and growth phase for EMS. The Director will be a dynamic co-collaborator, bringing big ideas and forward-thinking to the table, while also respecting the school and its current culture. The Director will lead and partner on continued efforts to increase the diversity of students and faculty, in curriculum development, and in professional development. The goal of the Director position is to collaborate with all constituencies at EMS to ensure a sense of belonging and that the EMS experience is one of inclusion and equity.
Strategic Priorities
The Director of Community Life, Equity, and Belonging will be a co-collaborator and thought leader in setting and furthering EMS’ vision and strategic plan for community, equity, and belonging. By working in close partnership with key constituencies, the Director will work to prioritize the following:
- Collaborate with others to ensure that all policies, activities, communications, and programming reflect EMS’ commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Collaborate with others to proactively engage with and support students in a range of areas, including emotional needs, disciplinary action, and parent/teacher conferences.
- Collaborate with others to provide support for faculty and staff through personal engagement as well as professional development in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Collaborate with others to ensure that DEIB is embedded in the constructivist and emergent curriculum of the school at developmentally appropriate stages.
- Collaborate with others to aid in the search, hiring, and retention of diverse talent.
- Collaborate with the admissions teams in the pursuit and retention of diverse applicants and their families.
- Collaborate with others to facilitate strong community outreach through planning and coordinating events that connect people and communicate ideals.
Essential Functions
- Develop, uphold, and implement EMS’ values and systems with the lens of inclusion.
- Ensure that all school policies, efforts, and activities take into account the community’s diverse needs and perspectives.
- Initiate a variety of opportunities for community building by creating school-wide and off-site events and extracurricular activities, and encourage attendance by community members.
- Identify and support diverse community members (either racially, economically, part of the LGBTQIA+ community, or in any other way that identifies someone as being part of an underrepresented group). This support is also extended to all members of the EMS community.
- Respond to, and help provide resolution where possible, concerns/issues raised by internal and external community members.
- Build relationships and affiliations with outside organizations that provide resources and support for diversity initiatives.
- Build relationships with students, families, and staff to foster and promote a culture of equity, inclusion, joy, and community.
- Develop workshops, bring in outside speakers/consultants, and serve as a resource for faculty, staff, trustees, and administrators around social justice.
- Supervise and support divisional DEIB Coordinators
- Work with the communications office to publicize diversity-related events.
- Attend alternating early learning, lower, and middle school faculty meetings.
- Serve as a member of several committees (including Health & Safety and Board of Trustee sub-committees)
- Use the Anti-Bias Education Goals for Children as a guide for focused work:
- Goal 1, Identity: Demonstrate self-awareness, confidence, family pride, and positive social identities.
- Goal 2, Diversity: Express comfort and joy with human diversity, accurate language for human differences, and deep caring human connections.
- Goal 3, Justice: Recognize unfairness, have language to describe unfairness, and understand that unfairness hurts.
- Goal 4, Activism: Demonstrate empowerment and the skills to act, with others or alone, against prejudice and/or discriminatory actions.
Desired Qualifications and Qualities
The Director of Community Life, Equity, and Belonging will be a collaborator, communicator, and strategic thinker. The individual in this position will be deeply involved in all facets of the community and must proactively strive to stay connected and engaged. The Director will model EMS’ commitment to being authentically inclusive, ensuring everyone’s fundamental right to be seen, be valued, and belong.
This person will be a networker and connector who leads with empathy and compassion while pushing an agenda to promote equity and belonging.
In addition to the qualifications and skills noted above, the Director should possess:
- Bachelor’s degree (required); master’s degree preferred
- Minimum of three years of related experience
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to remain calm, flexible, and work effectively under pressure
- Excellent organizational skills
- Experience in a school setting
- Knowledge of progressive education preferred
Schedule Requirements
A minimum of standard business hours Monday–Friday.
Ability to occasionally work evenings and weekends as necessary.
This 12-month position will begin July 2023.
Compensation and Benefits
This is a full-time position with benefits and a compensation package that will be competitive for the region and commensurate with experience, degree attainment, and the national independent school market.
Incentives
We aren’t just a school; we are a community. Feeling supported in your professional development and growth is one of the greatest benefits we offer our staff. Of course, we provide traditional benefits, too:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- 403(b) Retirement Plan with Matching Contributions
- Life Insurance and Voluntary Supplemental Life Insurance
- Short Term and Long Term Disability Coverage
- Tuition Remission for Employee’s Children (EMS’ School and/or Camps)
- Generous Vacation Policy
How to Apply
Please send a cover letter, resume, and three references to mbeck@elisabethmorrow.org with the subject “Director of Community Life, Equity, and Belonging Search.”
Who We Are
At The Elisabeth Morrow School, located 10 minutes from northern Manhattan in Englewood, N.J., children’s natural curiosity grows into a lifelong love of learning. Our exemplary curriculum features innovative programming in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics (STEAM), a nationally renowned instrumental music program, social-emotional learning, and community-wide core values.
Proud to be one of the most diverse independent schools in the country, we seek qualified candidates who will add to this legacy. We are committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal opportunity for all employees.
The Elisabeth Morrow School is a member of the Independent School Admissions Association of Greater New York (ISAAGNY), the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools (NJAIS), and the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). For more information, visit elisabethmorrow.org.
About The Elisabeth Morrow School
The Elisabeth Morrow School’s shared purpose is to provide exemplary academics and character development in a diverse and inclusive child-centered community, inspiring students to become curious scholars, ethical leaders, and global citizens.
Connections working at The Elisabeth Morrow School