The Winston School is a small, college preparatory, independent school designed to serve bright students who learn differently. While challenging its students, Winston provides a caring and warm environment that not only supports its students and their families, but also celebrates students’ individuality, creativity, and unique passions. The student-centered program aspires to meet the academic needs of students through differentiated instruction, targeted interventions, and classroom-based accommodations. As a leader in the education of neurodivergent students for fifty years, The Winston School nurtures the whole child and empowers our students to be confident, well-rounded, students who skillfully advocate for themselves and develop passions that will carry them into college and beyond. 

Winston is seeking a new Head of Lower School to begin July 1, 2026. 

LOWER SCHOOL LEADERSHIP

The new Head of Lower School at Winston must be an inspiring and dynamic leader who has the ability to think strategically and weave together research-based practices in learning different education, alongside building a dynamic, inclusive, and collaborative culture in the lower school division. The energy and optimism to demonstrate heartfelt joy in the leadership of this remarkable community and its community are vital. The next Head of Lower School at Winston must actively participate in the daily oversight and guidance of the division, be an active and contributing member of the leadership team, and be an expert in learning different education in the lower grade (Kindergarten through grade 5). 

Communication

The next Head of Lower School must possess the ability to convey passion and direction to not only faculty and staff, but parents, families and our greater Dallas community. The lower school faculty appreciate a curriculum leader who not only shares their passion for learning in the early years, but the expertise and confidence in working with learning different students and their families. A broad and inclusive understanding of meeting the needs of neurodivergent learners in a classroom with accommodations, interventions, and other learning and teaching strategies is essential. 

Enrollment and Retention

Like most independent schools, Winston is working to ensure that all students admitted are receiving the most exceptional educational experience possible. A developmentally-responsive, age-appropriate, well-designed, and differentiated curriculum are essential building blocks for success of each student at Winston, and preparing, supporting, and building an academic program and faculty culture that supports these outcomes is essential for our next division head. Our next lower school leader will be a decisive leader in parent communication, partnership, and articulating the value proposition of The Winston School. 

Organizational Health

With a relatively new leadership team, the new Head of Lower School, will be a dynamic, enthusiastic, and driven leader who works collaboratively, diligently, and with an eagerness that values “personal best” for adults, as well as students. The new leader must inspire and build a culture of mutual respect, inclusion, resilience, and intellectual curiosity to carry the division and its purpose. A clear communication style, courageous disposition, and openness to change are all essential characteristics of our next division head. 

In addition to their leadership skills, our next Head of Lower School should have expertise and demonstrated success working with learning different students and leading in curriculum development, instructional planning, assessment and differentiation. Developing a rigorous and creative scope and sequence in the lower school program will be a top priority for the ideal candidate. 

         The full position statement can be found on The Winston School website. 

Professional qualifications include: 

• Advanced degree (required)
• Proven teaching and leadership experience
• Deep knowledge and understanding of curriculum development and teaching pedagogy for young children, specifically with neurodivergent learners
• Ability to attract/recruit, supervise, and retain talented faculty committed to the mission, vision, and core values of Trinity School
• Ability to think strategically and plan and prioritize effectively, including managing several complex projects simultaneously to meet deadlines.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Background and experience in providing a challenging learning environment for a student body with a range of abilities, including academically gifted students

• Ability to challenge and motivate the school community to strive for excellence
• Confident leadership style that trusts others with responsibility and gives them the authority and support they need

• Collaborative approach to leadership
• Commitment to building an inclusive and warm community
• Inspires creativity, intellectual curiosity, and excellence in teaching and learning 
• Exceptional work ethic 
• Collaborative, creative, and critical problem-solving skills

Personal qualities:

• Warmth and authenticity
• Visible, accessible and approachable
• Willingness to learn, lean into, and lead through change
• Emotional intelligence and personal resilience
• Community building skills
• Unquestioned integrity and humility
• Sense of humor
• Optimism, grit, and unwavering asset-based approach to working with children and families

About The Winston School

THE WINSTON SCHOOL IS A SMALL COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL DESIGNED TO MAXIMIZE THE POTENTIAL OF BRIGHT STUDENTS WHO LEARN DIFFERENTLY®. THROUGH INDIVIDUALIZED LEARNING STRATEGIES, OUR STUDENTS ARE EMPOWERED TO CONFIDENTLY MEET THE CHALLENGES OF TOMORROW. AT THE WINSTON SCHOOL, STUDENTS GAIN THE LEARNING SKILLS AND SELF-RELIANCE TO SUCCEED IN COLLEGE AND THROUGHOUT LIFE. SERVING CHILDREN IN GRADES K-12, WINSTON CHALLENGES ITS STUDENTS TO ACHIEVE IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT NOT ONLY SUPPORTS BUT ALSO CELEBRATES THEIR INDIVIDUALITY AND CREATIVITY.

Connections working at The Winston School