Details
Posted: 09-Mar-24
Location: Rosemont, Pennsylvania
Type: Full Time
Categories:
Division Head/Principal
Preferred Education:
Masters
Department: Academics
Reports to: Head of School
FLSA Status: Exempt
Classification: Full-Time
Schedule: 12-month
The School
Holy Child School at Rosemont is an independent, Catholic, coeducational school located west of Philadelphia in the heart of the Main Line. We celebrate the “joy of achievement” by developing confidence, character, and leadership skills in our students, and we prepare them for success in a forward thinking, family-oriented school, from 2 years 7 months through 8th grade. As a Holy Child school, our mission is rooted in the vision for education set forth by our foundress, Cornelia Connelly, and we are associated with the Holy Child Network of Schools, connecting us to a greater, shared mission with fellow Holy Child schools throughout the U.S.
Summary
Holy Child School at Rosemont is seeking a Director of Middle School (5th-8th grade) and an inspirational leader who will play a pivotal role in overseeing the day-to-day operations and the implementation of the strategic goals for Holy Child’s Middle School to begin 07/01/2024.
Guided by the school’s mission and vision, the Director of Middle School is the educational, spiritual and administrative leader of the division and is responsible for its students, teachers, programs, parent relations, and culture. The Director establishes strategies and methods of meeting the spiritual, intellectual, academic, social, behavioral and physical needs of Middle School students. In partnership and collaboration with the Head of School, Division Directors, and other administrators, the Director of Middle School is responsible for regularly reviewing and evaluating the middle school program to identify areas for improvement, seeking to continue cultivating and innovating the program and ensuring it is consistent with the school’s core values and mission.
The Director of Middle School oversees the Middle School faculty in fulfilling the responsibilities of student faith formation, the development of curricula, the assurance of instructional quality, and the development of academic policies and procedures. As the spiritual leader of Middle School, the Director of Middle School embraces, models, and champions Catholic education and will also be eager to learn about, embody, and promote the Holy Child Goals that we share with the Network of Holy Child Schools. The Director of Middle School is responsible for developing and maintaining rapport with students, parents, and staff by treating them with dignity, respect, and kindness and building relationships with students to ensure they feel understood, nurtured, and challenged. As a member of the Leadership and Academic Teams, the Director of Middle School is committed to Holy Child’s mission and core values and reports directly to the Head of School.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Nurtures joy, community, engagement and excellence and is a visible presence in all aspects of the Middle School.
- Assumes responsibility for all aspects of the student experience in the Middle School, including schedule design, academic development, and physical and social well-being.
- Leads the development of a shared vision in the Middle School that focuses on curriculum alignment and continuous improvement in teaching and learning.
- Promotes the use of a variety of instructional and assessment strategies to ensure that all students are challenged appropriately.
- The Director works with the Directors of Early Childhood and Lower School, Director of Curriculum and Learning Innovation, Dean of Students, other administrative colleagues, and the faculty in the continual review and revision of curricula, related programs, and instructional practices to ensure that the Middle School continually provides an innovative, challenging, and developmentally appropriate middle level education.
- Oversees and supports the faculty who lead the Middle School Advisory Program, Middle School Electives, Student Council and its moderators, and the Service-Learning Program.
- Working closely with the Directors of Lower School and Early Childhood, the Director of Middle School facilitates curricular continuity and coherence between the divisions and the thoughtful social transition of students from Lower to Middle school.
- The Director will hire, support, mentor and evaluate a dedicated team of Middle School faculty and staff who bring expertise in middle school education, a love of children and passion for the craft of teaching.
- The Middle School Director, in collaboration with the Director of Curriculum and Learning Innovation, will oversee programs for the orientation of new teachers.
- The Middle School Director will work with the Director of Curriculum and Learning Innovation in scheduling and planning for “in-service” training and the related professional development of all Middle School teachers.
- The Director will foster a growth-oriented faculty culture, leading or generating conversations about best practices and important trends in education and implementing faculty growth and evaluation programs.
- The Director will serve as a resource and guide to faculty in their search for solutions to problems and in their work with individual students and parents;
- The Director will conduct regular meetings with faculty that focus on routine school matters and issues of educational/philosophical interest and concern;
- The Director will work with the Head of School, Division Directors, and Director of Marketing and Communications in establishing formal and informal means of communication with parents regarding the philosophy and program of the school, student progress, student behavior, administrative policies and procedures, and special events.
- The Director will engage in formal and informal outreach to build parent relationships, promote increased involvement and participation in the life of the School, and partner with students and families to shepherd the growth and development of each child.
- The Director, working collaboratively with the Director of Admissions, will assist with the oversight of the admission and retention of students in the Middle School, and oversee the successful application process to competitive high schools.
- In collaboration with the Head of School, the Director oversees the high school placement process and offers educational resources to parents.
- The Director manages the annual operational budget for the Middle School, in collaboration with the Director of Finance.
- The Director will actively engage in the life of the school by being present at Middle School events in particular, and at school-wide events, as appropriate;
- As directed by the Head of School, the Director will represent the Middle School and its program to the Board of Trustees, the parent community, Faculty and Staff, alumnae/i, professional organizations and the broader community;
- The Director will perform other duties commonly associated with the position, as assigned by the Head of School.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
- Supervises the Dean of Students, Director of Curriculum and Learning Innovation, Registrar, Chair of Service Learning, Coordinator of Spring Play and Middle School Faculty.
- Carries out additional supervisory responsibilities as needed, in accordance with the School’s policies and applicable laws.
Qualifications:
- Embrace and be able to articulate the mission and vision of Catholic education in general, and of Holy Child School at Rosemont specifically, and must possess the ability and willingness to relate well to students and members of the school community and to interact with them regularly.
- It is essential that the Director of the Middle School create a collaborative, positive, and inclusive environment conducive to open communication.
- The Director will articulate and demonstrate a commitment to cultural competence and an understanding of its important role in academic excellence and student preparation. The Director will work closely with other administrators, students, faculty/staff, alumni, and parents to coordinate and facilitate school programs with a lens on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging aligned with our Holy Child Mission.
- Have had a successful background in teaching and leadership/administrative experience in a school setting.
- The candidate who takes on this role will be a dynamic, energetic leader who facilitates learning, growth, and collaboration among the faculty and staff.
- Have excellent communication and organizational skills.
- The Director will be able to articulate a vision of Catholic education in the 21st century that includes technology and current teaching methodologies.
- The Director will articulate and demonstrate a commitment to cultural competence and an understanding of its important role in academic excellence and student preparation.
- The Director will demonstrate an ability to collaborate and team with colleagues as part of a professional learning community.
- The Director will demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement and professional development.
Education and Experience:
- The Director will possess a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration or similar advanced degree as well as evidence of a commitment to continuous professional development, demonstrated by appropriate professional memberships, conference attendance, and presentations.
- 10 years or more experience in elementary/middle school education, ideally in a Catholic and/or independent school.
- Administrative or leadership experience in Middle School in a U.S. Catholic and/or independent school setting. Evidence of successful Middle School teaching experience, experience in leading curriculum, and program development.
- Demonstrable experience in developing successful and supportive relationships with faculty and staff, students, and parents.
Holy Child School at Rosemont is an equal opportunity employer and make all employment decisions, including those related to recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, and recognition of individuals on the basis of their ability and job related qualifications and without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other classification proscribed under applicable federal state or local law.
Education and Experience:
- The Director will possess a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration or similar advanced degree as well as evidence of a commitment to continuous professional development, demonstrated by appropriate professional memberships, conference attendance, and presentations.
- 10 years or more experience in elementary/middle school education, ideally in a Catholic and/or independent school.
- Administrative or leadership experience in Middle School in a U.S. Catholic and/or independent school setting. Evidence of successful Middle School teaching experience, experience in leading curriculum, and program development.
- Demonstrable experience in developing successful and supportive relationships with faculty and staff, students, and parents.
Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to Brian McBride, Head of School bmcbride@holychildrosemont.org.
About Holy Child School at Rosemont
Holy Child School at Rosemont is a Catholic, coeducational, independent school with an enrolllment of 300, 2.7 years old-8th grade located on the Main Line near the campuses of Villanova University and Rosemont College in the western suburbs of Philadelphia. We strive to "Nurture Excellence in a Joyful Catholic Community."
Connections working at Holy Child School at Rosemont