Shady Hill is looking for a Lower School Division Head beginning August 2024. The Lower School Division Head oversees the educational program for Beginner (PreK) - Grade 4, a 270+ student division with 60 faculty.  The Lower School Division Head serves on the senior administrative team called the Administrative Council and also works collaboratively with the academic administrators including Middle School Division Head, Assistant Head of School, Director of Equity and Inclusion, Director of Auxiliary Programs, Director of LS/MS Student Life and Executive Director of Teacher Training Center. This Leadership Team with the Head of School ensures the smooth day-to-day operation of the School within and across divisions; supports the needs of faculty, students and parents; and, meets the guidelines and expectations set by the Board of Trustees.

The Lower School Division Head leads and works closely with the Lower School Student Support Team which include the Director of Learning Resources, Lower School Counselor, Lower School Math Curriculum Coordinator and Coach, Assistant Director of Equity and Inclusion, and the Director of Student Life (LS and MS).

Division Heads are responsible for: curriculum oversight; supervision; evaluation and professional development of faculty; personal and academic welfare of students, including the coordination of student programs and services, student evaluation and assessment, and scheduling; administration of school-wide policies; and management of parent relations.  Division Heads work in concert with the Assistant Head, Department Chairs, Gradeheads and Department faculty to meet needs in each area of responsibility listed below.

Division heads have a 12-month responsibility and report directly to the Head of School.

Primary Responsibilities:

Faculty:

• Cultivate a productive and collaborative division
• Oversee with Assistant Head of School all curriculum, curriculum development, and implementation of new academic programs in Lower School division within and across grades 
• Plan and implement regular faculty meetings
• Oversee supervision, evaluation, and professional development of faculty
• Support new faculty in first two years; regular meetings, observations
• Coach, advise, and support faculty 
• Oversee and edit Lower School progress reports
• Attend parent conferences on student progress (as needed) 
• Meet and plan regularly with Lower School administrative team: Director of LS Learning Resources, LS Counselor, LS Math Curriculum Coordinator, LS Faculty Coach, Director of Student Life, and Assistant Director of Equity and Inclusion
• Manage hiring process for LS Gradeheads
• Coordinate faculty and grade-level schedules in conjunction with Assistant Head of School and the scheduling team
• Communicate weekly newsletter for faculty and staff  

Students:

• Monitor student learning and progress; Coordinate resources and services to meet individual student needs
• Coordinate special programs, assemblies, and events
• Ensure the continuity of the curriculum (academic and affective) within and across grades
  

Parents:

• Connect parents to the mission of the school
• With Gradeheads, respond to questions and concerns about student learning and progress
• Manage communication about the Lower School program and student experience
• Educate parents on topics related to child development, academic and social/emotional learning (Curriculum Night, Let’s Talk Lower School, What to Expect, etc.)

Other Duties:

• Participate in all-school administrative planning and events
• Assist Director of Admissions with all aspects of Lower School admissions
• Cultivate cohesion across divisions through collaboration with Middle School Division Head
• Interact with Board of Trustees as invited by Head of School

Key Qualifications: 

• Educational leader with 5-7 years of teaching and a minimum of 3 years of administrative experience focused on Lower School
• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree in Education or Administration preferred
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice & creation of an inclusive & equitable community
• Dedicated to progressive education tenets: possesses a learning mindset and applies current research and evidence-based practices in pedagogy and curriculum development
• Experienced in supervision and coaching of faculty
• Collaborative professional with strategic vision, creative thinking, and vibrant energy  
• Demonstrated strength in oral and written communication skills 
• Possesses a high level of emotional intelligence, warmth, and sense of humor

Schedule Requirements

• A minimum of standard business hours Monday – Friday.
• Ability to travel and work evenings and weekends as necessary 

How to apply: Please send a cover letter, resume, one-page statement of educational philosophy, and a list of 3 professional references (references will not be contacted without permission of candidate) to apply@shs.org. Please be sure to include “Lower School Division Head” in the subject line of the email. Applications will be accepted until December 1, 2023.

Shady Hill offers competitive salaries and a generous benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance plans, a school-matched retirement plan and paid time off. Shady Hill is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Employees must be authorized to work in the United States. For a description of the school, refer to: www.shs.org.

COVID19 Protocols: All Shady Hill employees are required to provide proof of vaccination and to observe campus COVID protocols. All health and safety protocols are subject to change based on state, local and CDC guidelines and at the discretion of the Health and Safety Team.

About Shady Hill School

For over 100 years, Shady Hill has been a leader in progressive elementary and middle school education and teacher training. The year-long central subject study, which emphasizes strong content, the use of primary sources, acquisition of essential skills, and self-discovery, forms the core of our curriculum. As a diverse school, we believe that a varied and inclusive community is an educational and moral imperative that empowers us all. Therefore, we seek to hire faculty and staff who share our vision. We offer a dynamic and supportive work environment, competitive salaries and a generous benefits package. Shady Hill is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. For more information on Shady Hill please visit us at www.shs.org. Shady Hill offers competitive salaries and a generous benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance plans, a school-matched retirement plan and paid time off.

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