The Park School
Brookline, Massachusetts Head of the Middle Division July 2016 www.parkschool.org
The Position The Park School seeks a Head of the Middle Division (Grades 3-5) who will provide leadership and support for all aspects of the daily operation of Grades 3-5 and will be a key member of Park School’s leadership team. The Head of the Middle Division will build upon existing connections with PK-2 (Lower Division) and 6-9 (Upper Division) faculty and staff and work to ensure continuity in Park’s three-division program.
Mission Statement
Duties and Responsibilities
The Park School is a Pre-K to Grade 9 independent school in Brookline, MA dedicated to excellence in education. The cornerstone of Park’s program is academic excellence, combining both high standards of scholarship and the encouragement of each child to develop to his or her greatest potential. Our school community fosters a nurturing environment in which children develop curiosity, express creativity, appreciate the value of hard work and discipline, and experience the joy of learning.
Community Leadership • Carry out the overall mission, goals, and philosophy of The Park School and nurture a vision for the Middle Division that attracts and excites students, faculty, and parents. • Participate in the development of policies and practices necessary to implement the mission of the School. • Sustain a professional environment that supports collegiality among faculty, involvement in decisionmaking, effective communication with parents, and a commitment to continuing professional development. • Ensure that respect for diversity, equity, and inclusion is emphasized as a core value of the School, a shared responsibility in partnership with the school community and the Director of Diversity, Equity and
Park is committed to being a metropolitan, coeducational day school of diverse races, religions, cultures, and backgrounds. Central to its mission is an appreciation of similarities and differences of perspective and the interdependence of all people. As a family school, Park is a community in which the dignity of each child, teacher, and parent is respected.
Inclusion, in particular. Curriculum and Supervision • Responsible for planning the Middle Division curriculum and programs in coordination with the Assistant Head of School for Program, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and other academic program leaders. • Provide leadership in the process of ongoing curriculum development in the areas of language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science, working in collaboration with the Assistant Head of School for Program, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and curriculum specialists. • Supervise and evaluate Middle Division faculty to ensure high standards of teaching performance. • Provide and encourage professional development opportunities for all Middle Division faculty, including planning and executing all Middle Division faculty meetings. • Work effectively in addressing concerns and/or conflicts involving teachers, parents, and students. • Support the faculty in maintaining developmentally appropriate standards for student conduct.
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Students and Families • Effectively communicate with parents and other constituents. • Demonstrate an understanding of the age-appropriate development, behaviors and growth of students ages 8-11. • Model good teaching practice. • Demonstrate experience in working with diverse populations, including but not limited to diversity of race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic class, religion, family structure, and ability. • Work collaboratively with Academic Support Department and participate in weekly child study meetings. Administrative Duties • Serve on the School’s leadership team. • Attend and contribute to administrative team meetings. • Oversee and manage the dayto-day administration of the Middle Division, including assigning and sectioning Middle Division classes, counseling and disciplining students, and assisting the Business Office in preparing and reviewing operating budgets. • Participate in school committee meetings as requested. • Support the work of school leaders and such as Head of School, Assistant Heads, Division Heads, Directors, Department Heads, and Board of Trustees, and form a strong partnership with the Parents’ Association. • Participate in the preparation and implementation of Park’s annual operating budget. • Support the work of the Admission Officers to ensure full enrollment of mission-appropriate students in the division. • Support the Head of School in the hiring process for new Middle Division faculty and staff. • Support the After-School Program leadership in the oversight and supervision of programs involving Middle Division students.
Opportunities and Challenges The new Head of the Middle Division will join a thriving and high-functioning school community at a dynamic period in its history. This is a community that is always working to improve its programs and delivery and is in the beginning phases of a long-term strategic planning process. Park describes itself as a “high demand and high support” school; by any standards, it is filled with exceptionally talented and committed people eager to serve every child. Accordingly, the new Middle Division Head must be prepared to “hit the ground running.” S/he must have the skills and experience that will ensure excellent management of the division’s operations as well as the ability to work independently to implement the school’s forward vision. The Middle Division The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates
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Head must be an effective communicator who understands that students in Grades 3-5 flourish with clear expectations and accountability. The Middle Division will continue to thrive under a collaborative leader who genuinely appreciates, respects, and supports the teachers in the division. Altogether, this is an opportunity to lead a division that is already excellent—and looking to get even better.
Qualification Requirements • • • • • • • • • •
Master’s degree required Teaching experience required (Grades 3-5 experience preferred) Excellent communication, leadership, organization, and collaboration Understanding of academic technology and integration Demonstrated commitment to and accomplishment in diversity, equity, and inclusion work required Curriculum design/implementation experience preferred Supervision or school-level committee work preferred Experience in Google Apps for Education preferred Experience with FileMaker Pro preferred Experience and comfort with online writing and publishing preferred
The Park School is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, disabilities, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or family composition or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its employment, education, admission, financial aid, and other policies and programs. Competitive salary and benefits, including a strong professional development program, will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. The Park School welcomes candidates who will add to the diversity of its community and who have demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in their teaching and learning.
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To Apply Candidates must submit the following materials: 1) a cover letter expressing qualifications for the position and interest in Park School; 2) a current resume; 3) a statement of educational/leadership philosophy; and 4) a list of five references with contact information. Materials will be accepted until the position is filled; however, candidates should plan to submit materials by February 16. Please Address Inquiries To: Sherry Coleman and Peter Philip Search Consultants Carney, Sandoe & Associates sherry.coleman@carneysandoe.com | peter.philip@carneysandoe.com 302-354-0043 | 617-955-0642
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