Providence, Rhode Island
Brooklyn, New York
Posted: 10-Sep-24
Location: Dallas, Texas
Type: Full Time
Salary: Negotiable
Categories:
Preferred Education:
St. John's Episcopal School Head of Middle School Profile
Position Title: Head of Middle School
Date Modified: June 2024
FLSA Classification: Exempt
Reports to: Head of School
St. John's Head of Middle School Profile
About St. John’s
St. John’s is an independent, coeducational Episcopal school serving up to 500 students in grades pre-k through eight. Located in a park-like setting on 10 acres in East Dallas, the School offers its employees and students a supportive esprit de corps fueled by a common mission – one dedicated to a program of academic excellence designed to train the mind, strengthen the character and enrich the spirit of each student in a Christian environment. We think of St. John’s not only as a school, but also as a very special kind of community. We seek to employ people who – regardless of the role they play in the School – understand that they impact the lives of our students, families and colleagues. The St. John’s Code calls us to model honesty and respectfulness in our relationships, responsibility in the performance of our assignments, and a caring attitude that extends to all members of our community.
Position Purpose
St. John’s Head of Middle School is energized by the mission of St. John’s Episcopal School and is equipped to lead the Middle School’s academic day, including all aspects of teaching and learning of the core curriculum. The Head of Middle School is responsible for faculty supervision, students’ academic experience, and parent engagement.
Interested candidates must thrive in a highly collaborative environment and demonstrate specific expertise in communication and presentation skills, curriculum and programmatic design, and management leadership. Candidates must also have experience developing high functioning teams and working collaboratively with peers.
Key Accountabilities
- Champion the philosophy and mission of the School and its leadership while meeting pedagogical goals and objectives.
- Embody the tenets of Episcopal education to which the School is committed:
- Healthy pursuit of academic excellence through the alignment of key programs with the core curriculum.
- Collaboration with the Academic Team as they design intentional programs and align core curricula to support the School’s developmentally appropriate educational program.
- Nurture the growth of an inclusive community where the dignity of every human being is respected through faculty development programs and equitable staffing practices.
- Foster high ethical standards, integrity and respect for colleagues, alumni/ae, parents and students.
- Understand the culture and climate of the School, along with the broader educational environment, and represent the School in the external community.
- Model timely responses to inquiries and requests; establish connections through regular contact with and informative communications to colleagues and families.
- Communicate clearly, professionally, warmly and enthusiastically to employees, students and families, as well as to prospective students, families and external constituents as an outward facing member of the School.
- Seek and build relationships with local and national school colleagues, school leadership and other organizations.
- Demonstrate sensitivity and cultural competency in developing academic programs with a focus on economic, cultural and other key identifiers present in a diverse academic community.
Administrative Responsibilities
- Oversee the MS Technology Program.
- Supervise the MS Athletics Directors and Program.
- Oversee the divisional budgetary process.
- Prepare administrative reports for the Board of Trustees.
Faculty Supervision
- Supervise Middle School instructional and support personnel.
- Observe faculty in their classrooms; partner with Head of Primary and Lower School in the assessment of curriculum and divisional alignment.
- Collaborate with the Chief People Officer in the faculty hiring process.
- Serve as a resource for faculty by building morale, providing instructional coaching, and identifying appropriate workshops, speakers, programs, and professional development.
- Conduct a minimum of two workshops per year for faculty to keep them informed of current trends/research in curriculum, instruction, and differentiation.
Student Assessment
- Proactively partner with faculty and administration to define avenues of growth for students.
- Assist teachers in matching appropriate assessment instruments to curriculum objectives.
- Ensure uniformity in assessment, parent reporting and academic standards.
- Analyze and evaluate grading and reporting practices, aligning them across grade levels to create an accurate and developmentally appropriate reflection of curriculum mastery.
- Partner with MS Vertical Leads and faculty to review homework and project expectations of students.
- Suggest methods for integrating instruction, cross-grade units, incorporating differentiation, etc.
- Remain knowledgeable about national standards and state mandates regarding curriculum.
- Collaborate with the Dean of Student Formation in planning student assemblies and forums to build School community and mission-driven leadership among students.
- Build strong relationships with students and collaborate with faculty to cultivate a loving, joyful School environment.
- Maintain and appropriately communicate Middle School academic honors and academic probation lists.
- Organize and stage Middle School awards ceremonies, such as those for academic honors, Penguin and Humanitarian.
Collaboration and Teamwork
- Establish and maintain productive partnership relationships with colleagues.
- Partner with the Academic Team, committees, Leadership and other Administrative Team members. (see Academic Team Responsibilities addendum)
- Participate in committee, department, and employee meetings, as well as in School-sponsored events that would benefit from the Head of Middle School’s expertise and engage with the St. John’s community.
- Chaperone occasional field trips, including one overnight trip.
- Assume responsibility for other projects as assigned by the Head.
Growth Mindset
- Ability to meaningfully receive, reflect on, and apply feedback to one’s professional growth.
- Network with other Division Heads at other independent and Episcopal schools locally and nationally.
- Demonstrate a commitment to personal and professional growth.
- Attend conferences and professional meetings to remain current with Primary and Lower School academic and student development topics.
- Participate in the local and national independent and Episcopal schools accrediting associations.
Qualifications – Education, Skills & Experience Required
- Outstanding written and oral communication skills.
- Proven experience making independent judgments and handling highly confidential and sensitive materials and situations in ways that respect the dignity of each individual.
- The ability to navigate a wide range of relationships, tasks and perspectives; working with independent school faculty and staff preferred.
- Mastery in teaching, curriculum development and instructional design, academic technologies, and modern teaching practices.
- Experience developing and leading programs.
- Demonstrated leadership experience, including the ability to manage direct reports and co-lead with other administrators.
- An affinity for details; exceptional organizational and time-management skills; and demonstrated strength with analysis and problem-solving.
- Evidence of a strong work ethic, a high level of integrity, and energy and enthusiasm about working with primary school through eighth grade faculty in an academic setting.
- A successful track record of collaboration and experience supporting a wide range of constituents.
- Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree or additional certifications preferred.
Physical Requirements and Work Environment:
- Regularly works in standard office conditions and climate, occasionally works outdoors.
- Regularly works at a computer screen for extended periods of time and occasionally moves around campus.
- Ability to occasionally move items weighing up to 30 lbs. across the campus/office.
- Regularly works in a dynamic environment, effectively dealing with a wide variety of challenges, deadlines, and a varied and diverse array of contacts.
- Stamina to maintain attention to detail despite interruptions.
- Ability to periodically work flexible hours to meet deadlines and support before- and after-school or weekend events.
Employment and Leadership Team Vacation Policy:
- Benefits include health, dental and retirement.
- Two weeks paid vacation with 1 additional week vacation over Thanksgiving, Christmas and Spring Breaks.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should send a letter of interest, résumé, statement of educational philosophy, and a list of five (5) professional references with all contact information to karen@educationgroup.com. For further information about the position and application procedures, please contact the School’s search consultant at the address below.
Karen A. Drawz, Search Consultant
The Education Group
karen@educationgroup.com
214.535.7093
In our commitment to diversity and equity, St. John’s Episcopal School does not discriminate regarding race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, age, genetic information, disability, pregnancy, marital status, religion, military status, and/or any protected category. This commitment extends to our employment, educational, admission, and financial-aid policies, and other school-administered programs.