Lower School Program Head (PS-5th)
Location
Boulder, CO | United States
Job description
The ideal candidate will have a vision for leading a program, a deep understanding of child development and progressive pedagogy, and a strong desire to be a part of a collaborative leadership team. Our program is engaging, and comprehensive, fostering social and emotional skill development alongside academic learning. Join us in advancing our mission and providing a thoughtful and challenging education for our students.
RESPONSIBILITIES, OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES
The Lower School Program Head should be prepared to collaborate with a forward-thinking and devoted school community to fulfill Friends School’s Mission, Vision, and Values and to lead the preschool and elementary programs wisely and confidently into the future by embracing current challenges and seizing new opportunities. These include but are not limited to:
- Partnering with the Head of School to continue the development of our unique Preschool program to its full potential.
- Continued support of a robust social and emotional learning program.
- Building upon the culture of collaboration and professional growth while working to strengthen the connection between preschool and elementary and bridging the partnerships with the middle school resulting in a unified program, PS-8.
- Evaluating existing programs and making necessary changes to ensure Preschool and Elementary students are developing the skills, competencies, and mindsets necessary to thrive in Middle School, High School and beyond.
- Leading a joyful, diverse, energetic, and purposeful Preschool and Elementary where everyone, without exception, belongs.
- Advocating for Preschool and Elementary children within our PS – 8 context with a commitment to restorative justice and fostering intrinsic motivation.
- Working collaboratively within a passionate and engaged Senior Leadership Team (SLT).
- Being a visible presence for students, faculty, staff, and parents/guardians; fostering community and acting as chief ambassador of our Lower School.
- Recruiting, managing, inspiring, supporting, and retaining excellent, diverse, and mission-aligned faculty and staff.
- Continuing care and support of all students including those who represent neurodiverse students.
- Partnering with the Director of Enrollment to promote Preschool and Elementary to prospective families.
KEY QUALIFICATIONS AND QUALITIES
The successful candidate for Lower School Program Head at Friends School will be a mission- and community-driven leader who embodies and demonstrates most, if not all, of the following skills, qualities, characteristics, and experiences:
- Master’s degree in Education or a related field, preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to lead a team, develop and implement initiatives that are consistent with the mission, vision and values of our school.
- Must complete necessary courses and applications to maintain Colorado Department of Early Childhood Large Center Director qualifications on PDIS platform
- Extensive experience in progressive education, with a demonstrated commitment to play-based, experiential and/or project-based learning
- An educator and learner who leads with expertise in child development, passion for students and teachers, and openness to new ideas and best practices in curriculum and pedagogy.
- An advocate for both Preschool and Elementary children with an understanding of and ability to work effectively within the complexity of a Preschool – Eighth grade school.
- Demonstrated commitment to and experience with supporting an equitable and inclusive school culture.
- An engaged, visible presence with students, faculty/staff, and parents/guardians.
- An effective communicator in writing and public speaking and with all constituencies.
- An emotionally intelligent, joyful leader who is transparent, approachable, collaborative, empathetic, and humble.
- Education Technology Literacy, including digital citizenship, and proficiency with spreadsheet tools, student information systems, and data analysis tools.
Salary Range: Salary range for this 100% FTE position is $95,000-$115,000 and pay is commensurate with experience, degree, and position.
How to Apply: Send cover letter and resume to [email protected]. Please indicate the position you are applying for in the subject line. Deadline: Submit by February 19, 2024.
- Master’s degree in Education or a related field, preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to lead a team, develop and implement initiatives that are consistent with the mission, vision and values of our school.
- Must complete necessary courses and applications to maintain Colorado Department of Early Childhood Large Center Director qualifications on PDIS platform
- Extensive experience in progressive education, with a demonstrated commitment to play-based, experiential and/or project-based learning
- An educator and learner who leads with expertise in child development, passion for students and teachers, and openness to new ideas and best practices in curriculum and pedagogy.
- An advocate for both Preschool and Elementary children with an understanding of and ability to work effectively within the complexity of a Preschool – Eighth grade school.
- Demonstrated commitment to and experience with supporting an equitable and inclusive school culture.
- An engaged, visible presence with students, faculty/staff, and parents/guardians.
- An effective communicator in writing and public speaking and with all constituencies.
- An emotionally intelligent, joyful leader who is transparent, approachable, collaborative, empathetic, and humble.
- Education Technology Literacy, including digital citizenship, and proficiency with spreadsheet tools, student information systems, and data analysis tools.
About Friends School Boulder
Friends School is a private, independent Preschool-8th grade school located in Boulder, Colorado. We've been educating Boulder's students since 1987.
Friends School values all learners. We are a creative, challenging, safe environment where every student is seen, known, and loved. Small class sizes allow us to know each student fully for who they are, meet them where they are as learners, and help them to know themselves and set their own path.
Friends students are academically challenged and prepared to enter the world as thoughtful, kind, genuine, self-advocating, confident, and empathetic citizens. A strong balance of rich academic and social emotional curriculum with an emphasis on character development allows our graduates to successfully transition into any high school environment. Our students not only learn the importance of a social emotional education, they actually LIVE it.
A Friends School education promises essential foundations for a life of success. Our vision is as clear today as it was 30 years ago: challenging minds, nurturing spirits, honoring individuality.
Connections working at Friends School Boulder
Job tags
Salary
$95k - $115k
