Career Center

North Country School in Lake Placid, NY has engaged DovetailED to lead the search for its next Director of School. Interested candidates should review the Opportunity Statement and submit a Cover Letter, Resume (2-page maximum), and list of references to DovetailED President Zack Lehman at zack@dovetailedsourcing.com.  

North Country School | Director of School Opportunity Statement: https://bit.ly/3MbLjYM

The Director of School plays a vital role in upholding North Country’s innovative educational philosophy while preserving and adapting our esteemed traditions and exceptional programs. Reporting to the Executive Director, this position encompasses defining the academic curriculum in a manner that unifies our programs and nurtures the confidence and skills necessary for our students to become active contributors to their community.

The Director will ensure North Country stays dedicated to its mission by providing clarity on the objectives, enabling a clear understanding of what needs to be done and how. Your belief in the potential of children is what brought you here. Just like our founders, the Director must also believe that children are compassionate and capable, that they can overcome challenges, and that through these experiences, they learn and grow.

In collaboration with the Board of Trustees and the Executive Director, the Director of School will lead the implementation of the Strategic Plan with a strong commitment to Program, People, and Purpose. The Director will be devoted to delivering exceptional programs that align with North Country's unique educational philosophy while simultaneously fostering a thriving community and investing in our dedicated team of educators. Additionally, the Director will guide the community and expand North Country's influence, establishing our school as a thought leader in teaching and learning for children during their middle years.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the ongoing development of our unique experiential education model through utilizing our key signature programs in the arts, outdoors, and farm-to-school curriculum. 
• Lead the evaluation, development and optimization of the School’s program through the implementation of our strategic plan. 
• Lead the development, articulation and implementation of the social, emotional, academic and extracurricular programs within the framework of the school’s philosophy, mission statement and goals.
• Serve on the Executive Director’s administrative team with shared ownership for the success of the institution.
• Help lead the development and execution of a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion plan that includes integrating cultural competency skills and recruitment and retention of students and faculty of color. 
• Develop and implement a plan for long-term sustainable retention of faculty. 
• Conduct regular meetings with faculty which deal with both routine school matters and the stimulating exchange of ideas on issues of educational and philosophical interest and concern.
• Nurture a culture of trust, learning, innovation and shared purpose among faculty and students.
• Run daily operations and be a visible presence in all areas of the school community.

• An accomplished track record of curricular leadership in experiential education and student-centered learning and place-based learning practices.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively and professionally, both verbally and in writing.
• High degree of cultural competency and demonstrated success in working with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Experience working in a boarding school environment.
• Broad-based, hands-on experience with curriculum design and implementation.  
• Strong organizational, facilitation, and time management skills. 
• Experience using data and research to drive decision-making. 
• Master’s degree or equivalent experience. 
• At least five years of teaching and two years of educational leadership is required.
• An appreciation of the vibrancy found in middle school students, the flexibility with which to handle those fluctuations, and a sense of humor.

About North Country School

North Country School is a junior boarding/day school for grades 4-9 located on a 220-acre campus in the High Peaks region of the Adirondack Park in Lake Placid, New York. North Country School gives children a humanistic education rooted in respect and responsibility for self and others. Central to our academic program is a hands-on, place-based approach founded on the progressive tradition of John Dewey.

Connections working at North Country School