Job Detail
Upper School Head (GRADES 4-6)
The priorities, opportunities, and challenges ahead include:
Attend to culture of Upper School
In recognition of the scope of responsibilities connected to a new strategic plan and a high touch approach to placement as JTD students matriculate to the most competitive secondary schools in the Los Angeles area, the current Upper School Head will assume a new position as Director of Secondary School Placement and Strategic Initiatives. This shift allows the new Upper School Head to devote more time to the core culture of the division, attending to the needs of students and teachers in grades 4-6. The JTD faculty devote their time, love, and energy to knowing, caring for, and appropriately stretching their students, and celebrating their achievements in a safe and nurturing environment. With more focused responsibilities, the next Upper School Head will be positioned to extend that same level of care and dedication to the faculty
Refine and define the unique qualities of grades 4-6 in the continuum of the JTD experience
The next Upper School Head will help the school articulate and support the special qualities as well as the desired learning outcomes and dispositions of each of the three grades in the Upper School. Specifically, Grade 4 bridges the Lower School (grades K-3) and the departmentalized program of grades 5-6. In both its physical location and program structure, it supports students as they transition from the homeroom structure of the lower grades to a modified departmentalized program and receive letter grades for the first time. Grade 4 teachers will appreciate greater clarity in their role as a bridge between divisions.
Partner on curricular design and oversight
In partnership with the Director of Teaching and Learning and the Lower School Head, the Upper School Head will ensure cohesion in scope and sequence across the grades. The school maintains a healthy equilibrium among tried-and-true curriculum and pedagogy, openness to new ideas, and a respect for research on best practices. The Upper School Head will represent the division in collaborative efforts to ensure an engaging and appropriately demanding curriculum for JTD students and a professional development plan for faculty to support this work. An important facet of this work will include ensuring that teachers within and across the division have adequate planning time in both grade level and curricular teams. The next Upper School Head will also lead and coordinate various co-curricular programs, including growth education, athletics, clubs, advisory, and outdoor education, ensuring that they align with the school’s mission and support student development.
Support and implement new professional growth and evaluation system
JTD has engaged in a multi-year review of its professional growth and evaluation processes, and a new set of protocols will emphasize goal setting, peer coaching and feedback, and regular evaluation cycles. The next Upper School Head will support the execution of these new protocols, evaluating their effectiveness, and ensuring that the process supports the growth of the talented and dedicated JTD faculty. Familiarity with the Danielson framework is a plus.
Support co-teaching model
In JTD’s co-teaching model, students benefit from the attention and expertise of teams in every classroom. Teachers complement one another’s strengths and passions to ensure that each child is known and engaged. The Upper School Head plays an integral role in supporting teams, assessing team dynamics, and onboarding new hires into the co-teaching structure. Teachers appreciate a leader who expresses genuine curiosity about team dynamics and prioritizes regular non-evaluative classroom visits in order to understand the strengths and challenges of particular teams and help them work to their optimal capacities.
Engage with parents as partners
JTD’s highly invested parents are strong partners in upholding the core values and high expectations of the school. The Upper School Head will form strong partnerships with parents by communicating proactively, helping parents anticipate and navigate the developmental milestones of early adolescence, and managing difficult conversations when necessary. Additionally, the Upper School Head will develop and lead parent education sessions on topics such as adolescent development, understanding student progress, and other areas tailored to the needs of the learning community.
Join a strong administrative team
The bond among the leadership team is strong and characterized by a willingness to explore ideas collaboratively, extend help when needed, laugh together, and respect each person’s area of expertise. Mission aligned and dedicated, this team fosters a joyful celebration of childhood, a fierce work ethic, and a blend of humor and humility.
Download the full PDF description here.
Back
Attend to culture of Upper School
In recognition of the scope of responsibilities connected to a new strategic plan and a high touch approach to placement as JTD students matriculate to the most competitive secondary schools in the Los Angeles area, the current Upper School Head will assume a new position as Director of Secondary School Placement and Strategic Initiatives. This shift allows the new Upper School Head to devote more time to the core culture of the division, attending to the needs of students and teachers in grades 4-6. The JTD faculty devote their time, love, and energy to knowing, caring for, and appropriately stretching their students, and celebrating their achievements in a safe and nurturing environment. With more focused responsibilities, the next Upper School Head will be positioned to extend that same level of care and dedication to the faculty
Refine and define the unique qualities of grades 4-6 in the continuum of the JTD experience
The next Upper School Head will help the school articulate and support the special qualities as well as the desired learning outcomes and dispositions of each of the three grades in the Upper School. Specifically, Grade 4 bridges the Lower School (grades K-3) and the departmentalized program of grades 5-6. In both its physical location and program structure, it supports students as they transition from the homeroom structure of the lower grades to a modified departmentalized program and receive letter grades for the first time. Grade 4 teachers will appreciate greater clarity in their role as a bridge between divisions.
Partner on curricular design and oversight
In partnership with the Director of Teaching and Learning and the Lower School Head, the Upper School Head will ensure cohesion in scope and sequence across the grades. The school maintains a healthy equilibrium among tried-and-true curriculum and pedagogy, openness to new ideas, and a respect for research on best practices. The Upper School Head will represent the division in collaborative efforts to ensure an engaging and appropriately demanding curriculum for JTD students and a professional development plan for faculty to support this work. An important facet of this work will include ensuring that teachers within and across the division have adequate planning time in both grade level and curricular teams. The next Upper School Head will also lead and coordinate various co-curricular programs, including growth education, athletics, clubs, advisory, and outdoor education, ensuring that they align with the school’s mission and support student development.
Support and implement new professional growth and evaluation system
JTD has engaged in a multi-year review of its professional growth and evaluation processes, and a new set of protocols will emphasize goal setting, peer coaching and feedback, and regular evaluation cycles. The next Upper School Head will support the execution of these new protocols, evaluating their effectiveness, and ensuring that the process supports the growth of the talented and dedicated JTD faculty. Familiarity with the Danielson framework is a plus.
Support co-teaching model
In JTD’s co-teaching model, students benefit from the attention and expertise of teams in every classroom. Teachers complement one another’s strengths and passions to ensure that each child is known and engaged. The Upper School Head plays an integral role in supporting teams, assessing team dynamics, and onboarding new hires into the co-teaching structure. Teachers appreciate a leader who expresses genuine curiosity about team dynamics and prioritizes regular non-evaluative classroom visits in order to understand the strengths and challenges of particular teams and help them work to their optimal capacities.
Engage with parents as partners
JTD’s highly invested parents are strong partners in upholding the core values and high expectations of the school. The Upper School Head will form strong partnerships with parents by communicating proactively, helping parents anticipate and navigate the developmental milestones of early adolescence, and managing difficult conversations when necessary. Additionally, the Upper School Head will develop and lead parent education sessions on topics such as adolescent development, understanding student progress, and other areas tailored to the needs of the learning community.
Join a strong administrative team
The bond among the leadership team is strong and characterized by a willingness to explore ideas collaboratively, extend help when needed, laugh together, and respect each person’s area of expertise. Mission aligned and dedicated, this team fosters a joyful celebration of childhood, a fierce work ethic, and a blend of humor and humility.
Download the full PDF description here.
The John Thomas Dye School admits students of any race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other school-administered programs.
Located In Los Angeles, CA, John Thomas Dye is an independent school for grades K-6. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.
© The John Thomas Dye School. All rights reserved.