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The Assistant Head of Lower School serves as a key member of the Lower School leadership team and is second in charge of the day-to-day activities of the Bearss Ave (grades 1-5) elementary school.
Responsibilities
- Actively support the mission and vision of Carrollwood Day School
- In conjunction with the Division Head and PYP Coordinator, act as an academic leader of the Elementary School; coordinate the efforts for curriculum review
- In conjunction with the Division Head and LS learning support personnel, oversee a system to monitor student academic progress; convene teams to address emergent student needs, as needed
- Collaborate with the lower school administrative team on all matters of Elementary school operations; schedule students and special school activities
- Participate regularly in (and occasionally lead) division meetings with faculty to deal with routine school matters and for stimulating exchange of ideas on issues of educational/philosophical interest and concern
- Assist in maintaining a comprehensive calendar of school events; keep the lower school faculty and staff informed of various school programs and activities related to academic programming
- In conjunction with the division head, prepare a master class schedule and to assign teachers and students to classes and other obligations.
- Assist in the admission process for the testing, interviewing, and evaluating of applicants for enrollment
- Establish programs for orientation of new teachers and in-service training of all teachers and to ensure their familiarity with and adherence to school policies and standards in all areas of operation and culture
- Observe, supervise, and help evaluate faculty in the development and implementation of curriculum, including best pedagogical practice and assessment of mastery of the curriculum
- Serve as a resource for faculty, recommending instructional practices, workshops, speakers, programs, school observations, etc
- Stay abreast of educational research and best practices to provide training and support for teachers and students
- Review the level of homework and student projects to ensure consistency and developmentally-appropriate rigor
- Review the balance of needs of the whole child throughout the lower school
- Maintain educational standards established by the school’s administrative team, the board, and accrediting agencies, using all available metrics, including MAP and curricular assessment, to evaluate and ensure quality
- Monitor and assure uniformity in student assessment, parent reporting, and academic standards, ensure appropriate grading practices are consistently implemented
- Ensure continuity of literacy throughout ECC and Elementary School
- Model, foster, and promote collaboration within the division
- Actively participates in divisional leadership team and Student Success Team
- Model and promote positive communication and collaboration throughout the division and school community
- Play an active role in the fostering of a peaceful community through conflict resolution and related approaches
- Build and maintain positive relationships with the parent community.
- Represent CDS as needed at community functions
- Play an active role in school-wide efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Spearhead retention events in coordination with ECC, elementary and middle school administration, developing programs for retaining students and engaging families in the transition from grades K to 1 and 5 to 6
- Participate in and aid the Lower School Head with faculty recruitment, hiring, retention, and placement
- Participate in restorative justice practices for students
- Maintain professional competence by attending staff development programs, curriculum development meetings, and other professional trainings and activities
- Model and foster professional standards of communication, personal presentation, punctuality, professional courtesy, collegiality, respect, and discretion.
- Participate in the life and community of the school through various student and parent activities, including PTO, student clubs, after-school activities, and occasional evening or weekend event
- Be a team player; cheerfully participate in and/or assist with other duties and routines regularly part of a school environment
- Adhere to School policies as described in the Employee Handbook and other materials
Qualifications, Skills, and Attributes
- Master’s degree in Educational Leadership or similar, required
- A minimum of 5 years of successful teaching at the elementary level required
- IB PYP knowledge and experience is preferred, but not required
- Demonstrated success in collaborative leadership development work (grade level or department lead, committee work, accreditation, hiring teams, etc.)
- Exceptional organizational skills; the ability to prioritize and successfully manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
- Comfortable and confident leading difficult conversations with tact and empathy
- Knowledgeable and articulate in the developmental stages of elementary aged learners
- Demonstrated commitment to restorative practices
- Outstanding written, verbal, presentation, and digital communication skills
- Demonstrated leadership and facilitative skills
- Strong collaborative skills and eagerness to work with colleagues
- Proficiency in Google suite (docs, sheets, drive, etc.)
- A keen understanding of the physical, social, and emotional development of elementary school aged children
- Comfortable and confident with direct and consistent communication
- A high degree of professionalism, collegiality, and personal conduct both in and outside of school
- Ability, willingness, and judgment to interact and communicate effectively, respectfully, and confidently with a diverse array of constituents in a school environment
- Demonstrate a risk management mindset, predicting and proactively planning against potential liabilities to both programs and people
- Disciplined professionalism evident in commitment to ongoing growth and professional development in the field
- Ability and willingness to work evenings
