Career Center
Salem, Oregon
Blacksburg, Virginia
Posted: 06-Jan-23
Location: Metairie, Louisiana
Type: Full Time
Position Summary:
Located just outside of New Orleans, St. Martin’s Episcopal School in Metairie, Louisiana seeks a seasoned administrator, strong community builder, and educational thought leader as its next Head of Lower School.
Building on a well-established college and life preparatory program, the next Head of Lower School should have: the ability to establish an appropriate vision, effective tone, and clear expectations for the Lower School faculty and students, the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues, including the Head of School and other senior administrators, the ability to communicate with parents and students in a clear, responsive, and timely manner, and the ability to supervise and support faculty to meet and exceed high standards in teaching, reporting, advising, and communication.
The Head of Lower School should hold an advanced degree in an academic subject area or educational administration and must be a skilled writer and speaker with a positive outlook, a strong work ethic, and an engaging sense of humor. He or she must be student-centered, confident in making final decisions, and adept at building relationships and consensus. The Lower School Head should have a collaborative managerial style, a desire to be immersed in an active educational community, successful experience in working with students, parents and teachers, and a strong interest in defining strategies to improve school culture.
Primary Responsibilities:
? Participate as a member of the school’s Leadership Team, reporting to the Head of School. Act as the educational program leader of the Lower School.
? Demonstrate core values of St. Martin’s and support the school’s mission.
? Maintain congruence between the school’s Mission Statement and all academic activities.
? Continue to build on a culture of belonging where every student is known, loved, and challenged.
? Partner with the Director of Learning, Innovation + Design in matters of curriculum design, implementation, and evaluation, ensuring academic cohesion with St. Martin’s four-dimensional curricular framework that focuses on academic content, skills, meta-learning, and character development.
? Work closely with all Division Heads to ensure vertical alignment.
? Prepare and maintain the Lower School budget; assist in the preparation and review of all departmental budgets.
? Present information about the school and its educational program to prospective students and their parents, to new families, and to current families.
? Represent the school at various events and serve as a spokesperson and advocate for the school, its values, its mission, and the programs offered to further the mission.
? Conduct other duties as assigned by the Head of School.
? Be a good steward of sensitive and confidential information.
? Demonstrate maturity, tact, diplomacy, and excellent communication in all interactions with parents, students, faculty, and visitors.
Responsibilities to Students and Parents:
? Confer with parents regarding academic and other issues affecting student performance and sense of wellbeing within the Lower School community; make recommendations to parents regarding support for their students; facilitate communication between parents and teachers.
? Assist in the admission and recruitment process.
? Plan, coordinate, and oversee the orientation program for new students and their families.
? Oversee special reporting to parents regarding student academic performance, such as progress reports, report cards, teacher commentaries, school portal, etc.
? Oversee effective, consistent, and fair execution of the Student Handbook.
Responsibilities to Faculty:
? Observe, supervise, and help evaluate the Lower School faculty in the development and implementation of curriculum, and supervise pedagogy and discuss teaching performance with faculty members.
? Ensure compliance with the educational standards established by the Independent School Association of the Southwest in its accreditation of the school.
? Interview potential new faculty and make recommendations to the Head of School regarding hiring and teaching assignments.
? Oversee programs for the orientation of new teachers and for in-service training of all teachers.
? Ensure that teachers are familiar with and adhere to school policies in all areas of school operation.
? Oversee the grading methods and reporting standards used by teachers in measuring student achievement to foster fairness, consistency, and furtherance of the school’s mission.
? Set specific expectations for the extent of communication to be expected from faculty.
? Monitor grade distributions among faculty and disciplines for consistency in adopting and maintaining grading standards.
? Serve as a consultant to teachers in matters of classroom management, teaching methods, and general school procedures.
? Encourage and support the professional development of the faculty through their attendance at seminars, workshops, conferences, and other programs providing support to educators.
? Provide support to faculty members and facilitate resolution of conflicts that may arise with parents and/or students.
Desired Skills/Qualifications
? Seven or more years of significant academic management/leadership experience.
? Advanced degree (required).
? Student-centered, collaborative, and transparent leader who is accessible to students, parents, colleagues, and other key stakeholders and is adept at building relationships.
? Academic leader with extraordinarily high expectations of her/himself and the ability to inspire and motivate others.
? Proven skill in recruiting, supporting, developing, and motivating high-quality faculty.
? Previous experience with developing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion curriculum.
? Ability to help affect and drive change, and sustain excellence.
? At least two years of creditable experience as a classroom teacher.
? Other skills and qualities necessary for this position: expert verbal and written communication skills; masterful teaching and classroom-management capabilities; ability to assess talent, and train and mentor both early- and late-career teaching professionals; genuine willingness to work closely with students and colleagues; experience supervising diverse personnel; high energy level; and a good sense of humor.
? Character above reproach, and impeccable integrity.
About St. Martin’s:
Founded in 1947, St. Martin’s Episcopal School is a coeducational, independent school that provides students with a college preparatory education focused on development of the whole person. Students and faculty embrace the school’s motto, “We prepare students to thrive in college and in life through Faith, Scholarship, and Service.” We instill moral and ethical values, leading students not only to prepare for college, but also to live meaningful and purposeful lives. We believe that true, deep learning is a result of the appropriate balance of student autonomy and healthy relationships.
If you are interested in applying for this position, please click here and upload your resume and complete the application attached to this job posting.
St. Martin’s is actively working to create a diverse work community. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. St. Martin’s Episcopal School is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
St. Martin’s does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, gender or gender identity, age, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
