Career Center

Preschool DIrector (Full Time)

Durham Academy (DA) seeks a Preschool Director to begin July 1, 2024. The successful candidate will be a visionary leader with a deep commitment to early childhood education. They will embody the joy and curiosity of the most engaged young learners. They will also support curriculum development and pedagogical practice for an outstanding team of educators. They will engage and support a vibrant community of parents and caregivers. The Preschool comprises 2 Pre-kindergarten and 4 Kindergarten sections. The Preschool Director reports to the Associate Head of School and serves as an integral member of DA’s Administrative Team.

Essential Traits and Skills Include:

• A radiant love of children, teaching and learning.
• Excellent communication skills (writing, editing, speaking and listening).
• Understanding of and experience with educational research and best practices in early childhood education.
• Deep experience with best practices for faculty growth and support coupled with an understanding of how to appropriately balance autonomy and alignment.
• A proven commitment to diversity, equity and engagement.
• Capacity to build relationships and inspire confidence with students, teachers, colleagues and families.
• An ability to collaborate, through the Administrative Team and across divisions and departments, to support that work of the school. 
• A Masters degree and at least 5 years teaching experience required, educational leadership experience preferred.

Responsibilities Include:

• Develop, communicate and implement a vision for the DA Preschool based on best practices in early childhood education.
• Lead efforts to recruit and retain skilled teachers who support the mission of Durham Academy.
• Partner with the Associate Head of School on the orientation, mentorship, training, evaluation, growth and support of all Preschool teachers.
• Guide and support Preschool faculty with classroom management, instructional practices, student and parent relationships, curriculum development, assessment and reporting of student progress. 
• Be a warm, accessible and consistent presence in Preschool classrooms.
• In collaboration with the Director of Student Support and Wellness, lead and support a Preschool counselor, learning specialist and learning support coach.
• Develop and implement a Preschool calendar and schedule that best supports the learning and developmental needs of young learners.
• Collaborate with the Chief Finance and Operations Officer to create and oversee the annual Preschool budget, including hiring and assigning substitute teachers and tracking/recording part-time and substitute teacher hours.
• Build and sustain positive partnerships with current and prospective Preschool parents
• Serve as a member of the Enrollment Management team by reading applicant files, supporting and participating in group testing dates and making admissions recommendations.
• Collaborate with other school divisions, DA Extended Day and After-School Enrichments and DA Summer to develop and support Preschool-age programming, support scheduling and share campus spaces 

DA Teachers, Administrators and Staff

• Are culturally competent and believe in the central importance of diversity and equity in the life of the school.
• Model a student-centered approach to teaching in an active classroom. 
• Possess a command of pedagogical best practices, eagerly seek feedback on all aspects of their professional life, and are committed to lifelong professional growth.
• Collaborate authentically and actively while building and maintaining collegial relationships with colleagues.
• Are eager to build supportive relationships with students and understand that student wellness is central to the student learning experience.
• Use technology thoughtfully and creatively to enhance teaching and learning
• Innovate and experiment to discover the most compelling learning experiences for students.

Our School

Founded in 1933, Durham Academy is an all-gender, independent day school with 1,245 students in Pre-kindergarten through grade 12 on two campuses. The purpose of a Durham Academy education is to prepare each student to live a moral, happy and productive life. DA is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and a member of the National Association of Independent Schools. 

Diversity, Equity and Engagement Mission Statement
Diversity enlivens, improves and enriches the intellectual and social environment of an academic community and encompasses all aspects of humanity including racial identity, sex, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, ability, age and gender identity. We are committed to an ongoing process to increase the diversity of our community and to implement policies, programs and practices under which all members of our community feel welcomed, empowered, responsible and safe. Amidst our diversity we stand united in the pursuit of academic excellence and development of individual capabilities.

(Adopted by the Durham Academy Board of Trustees in 2004 and updated in 2008)

Our Employment Policy

It is the policy of Durham Academy to make employment decisions on the basis of qualifications for a specific job without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national or ethnic origin, age, veteran status, or the presence of a disability, except where such is a bona fide occupational qualification.

About Durham Academy

Durham Academy was founded in 1933 as the Calvert Method School. The founders, George Watts Hill and his wife Ann McCulloch Hill, established the school as a private, independent school to educate their children and others in Durham. The school’s initial teaching philosophy (and its name) was based on the Calvert School in Baltimore, Maryland, which Ann McCulloch Hill attended as a child. In 1959, the school ended its affiliation with the Calvert School, changed its name to Durham Academy, and began an expansion that led to the first high school graduating class in 1975. The school has continued to grow over the years, evolving into one of the top independent schools in the state and nation. In preparing students exceptionally well for college and life beyond, DA focuses on the acquisition of knowledge paired with the development of skills, critical judgment, and intellectual curiosity. Small classes, excellent and inspiring teachers, top-notch facilities, and a vigorous and engaging academic program support the mission of preparing students for moral, happy, and productive lives. In all, the goal is to help students develop habits that lead to academic success, moral behavior, ...responsible action, and the growth of character. Durham Academy also believes that enhancing the spirit of community among faculty, students, and families is essential to the achievement of its goals. The faculty and staff approach each student as an individual. To that end, the school encourages close personal relationships fostered in an atmosphere of trust, respect for individual differences, and appreciation for the racial, cultural, and religious diversity in our society. The school is organized into four divisions — Preschool, Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School — each with its own director. Hill Learning Center, which was founded at Durham Academy and remains a close neighbor and partner, serves a range of public and private school students, teachers, schools, and school districts in four distinct program areas: School, Summer, Tutoring, and Educator Professional Development Programs. Durham Academy is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. It is also a member of or affiliated with the North Carolina Association of Independent Schools, the Southern Association of Independent Schools, the National Association of Independent Schools, the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), and the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling (SACAC).

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