ASSISTANT LOWER SCHOOL DIRECTOR bei undefined

Representative Responsibilities of this Position:

1. Advance the mission, vision, and values of Mounds Park Academy.
   
   
   • Be present and ready to work as needed to meet responsibilities.
   • Provide an example of punctuality and attendance for all meetings, in-services, parent-teacher conferences, open houses, etc.
   • Supervise and maintain informal contact with students and staff members in the commons, hallways, classrooms, etc.  
   • Attend student co-curricular events and accept a fair share of chaperone duties as requested or needed.
   • Ensure the safety of students and be prepared to respond to or manage a crisis (e.g., fire alarm, building evacuation, or lock-down, etc.)

      2. Create and foster community and school culture.

• • Help to foster an environment within which Lower School students are accepted, respected, and valued.
  • Establish an authentic, consistent, visible, and engaged presence in the Lower School.
  • Partner with Lower School faculty and staff to develop a positive culture of belonging and to support academic, social, and emotional well-being for students.
  • Support the MPA community in efforts to uphold the school’s core mission, vision, and values and help students to align their actions to those goals.

       3. Student Affairs

• • Communicate effectively and openly with faculty, staff, students, and families in a variety of contexts, including but not limited to social-emotional, behavioral, and academic issues.
  • Help to develop and implement a behavior management system that is reflective of MPA values and approach to whole-child education.
  • Collaborate with the Academic Operations Team to ensure consistency of programming, practice, and student support initiatives, PK-12.
  • Work with Parents’ Association to plan Parent Education sessions, as well as to identify opportunities for student programming and enrichment.
  • Assist with student scheduling, course placements, and new student and family onboarding.

       4. Leadership and Service

1. • Serve as an advocate for Lower School students’ cognitive, social/emotional, and academic needs. 
   • Assist in the leadership of the Lower School division, including facilitating grade-level meetings, attending student support meetings, and contributing to division meetings.
   • Provide leadership, vision, coordination, and oversight of the Lower School Advisory program.
   • Assist the Division with admissions, communication, and community activities and programming.
   • Perform additional duties as needed (serve on school-wide committees, advise a student club, design curriculum, etc.).
     
     Instructional Responsibilities:
     • Implement teaching strategies that align with the school’s mission, values, and philosophy.
     • Oversee and foster the academic, social, and character development of each student.
     • Develop lessons that promote problem solving, creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and effective communication skills.
     • Structure lessons that encourage risk-taking and model life-long learning.
     • Actively involve students in the classroom through hands-on, experiential learning.
     • Build relationships with students and families.
     • Show key competencies in subject area and demonstrate academic excellence.
     • Demonstrate the ability to plan, organize, and implement instruction.
     • Monitor student progress and potential.
     • Maintain accurate student records and documentation.
     • Differentiate and tailor pacing to student needs.
     • Employ a variety of techniques to motivate and address student differences.
     • Include the use of technology when appropriate to enhance learning.
     • Communicate with parents about student progress regularly and during formal parent/teacher conferences.
     • Be prepared to design and implement asynchronous and synchronous lessons for students who meet the MPA qualifications to learn virtually.

         5. Classroom Management Responsibilities:

• • • Create and foster a welcoming, safe, and inclusive classroom culture.
    • Display evidence of strong classroom management.
    • Establish effective classroom routines.
    • Enforce rules and expectations for students as outlined in school policies and the Code of Ethics.

        6. Professional Responsibilities:

• • • Respect confidentiality at all times.
    • Exhibit professionalism in conduct and dress, and follow through on professional duties (speak professionally, follow policy, attend meetings, be punctual).

• • • Be actively involved in professional development activities and stay current on best practices.
    • Take part in the Professional Growth Plan and comply with expectations.
    • Take part in professional development days.
    • Manage the division budget in a responsible manner.

       8. School-Wide Responsibilities:

• • • Display high integrity at all times and be a role model for students.
    • Communicate respectfully and effectively, following the Respectful Discourse Policy with parents, students, teachers, staff, administration, visitors, and volunteers.
    • Support and facilitate the initiatives of the MPA strategic plan and positively contribute to school-wide committee work.
    • Actively participate in all-employee, divisional, committee (as assigned), and department meetings, divisional initiatives, the curriculum review process, and evaluation of curriculum and programs. 
    • Support colleagues and show leadership with peers.
    • Promote and support admission initiatives to recruit new students.
    • Understand and fulfill all aspects of employee handbook.
    • Handle, maintain, and demonstrate business maturity with extremely confidential and sensitive information.
    • Attend evening and weekend activities including but not limited to open houses, curriculum nights, and all back to school events.
    • Perform other duties and assume other responsibilities, as requested by the Division Director or as deemed necessary for safe and efficient operation of the school to fulfill the mission of Mounds Park Academy.
      
      
      Be an active, positive, and contributing member of Mounds Park Academy.
      • Display high integrity at all times and be a role model for students.
      • Communicate respectfully and effectively following the Respectful Discourse Policy with parents, students, teachers, staff, administration, visitors, and volunteers.
      • Support and facilitate the initiatives of the MPA strategic plan and positively contribute to school-wide committee work.
      • Support colleagues and demonstrate leadership with peers.
      • Understand and fulfill all aspects of the Employee Handbook. 
      • Maintain appropriate boundaries with students.
      • Perform other duties and assume other responsibilities as requested by the Head of School or as deemed necessary for safe and efficient operation of the school in order to fulfill the mission of Mounds Park Academy.

The above list reflects the general details necessary to describe the principle and essential functions of the position and shall not be construed as the only duties that may be assigned for the position. The LS Director would love the opportunity to co-design what this looks like with your specific areas of expertise and needs with the school.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and/or hear, and/or use hands to write or keyboard. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must intermittently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a school environment, including private office space, conference rooms, classrooms and other learning spaces, hallways, and the cafeteria. This position also requires intermittent time outside.

An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree 
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a school setting 
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal skills
• Display sound judgement, time management, and the ability to prioritize.
• Demonstrable ability to lead and inspire with compassion, clarity, and exceptional professionalism in the classroom and beyond
• Admirable leadership skills and a desire to serve
• Strong collaboration and organization skills
• Commitment to anti-bias education, equity, and social justice
• Openness to lifelong learning and continuous professional development
• A sense of humor, warmth of personality, and nurturing energy
• Flexibility and ability to multitask in a dynamic, creative, and fast-paced environment
   
   

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Administrative experience working in Independent Schools
• Master’s degree
• Experience coaching, training, and developing teachers
• Experience developing equitable curriculum and designing supports for teachers