Animas High School is currently seeking a Head of School to begin January, 2009, prior to the school's opening in late August, 2009. The successful candidate will have proven experience in an innovative learning environment and demonstrated leadership and interpersonal skills.
Please submit a CV, letter of interest, and the names of three references to:
Dr. Bev deGraw
Chair, Search Committee
Animas High School
PO Box 4414
Durango, CO 81302-4414
Materials sent prior to October 15, 2008 will receive full consideration.
Animas High School
Head of School
Job Description
The Head of School will be the educational leader and chief administrator of the school, responsible for supervision of all staff, management of the programs, and leading the school to achieve its goals and accomplish its mission. The Head of School will report to the Animas High School Board of Directors but is also accountable to the students, teachers, families, and the community at large. The Head of School will be experienced in a wide range of pedagogical approaches. The Head of School has administrative responsibilities in educational leadership, school governance, and fiscal and organizational management.
Educational Leadership
· Hires fantastic teachers and staff.
· Responsible for the management, direction and assignment of all employees.
· “Gets it.”
o Understands and can articulate design principles and philosophy.
o Is a “capital L” leader as well as a “small m” manager.
· Actively promotes:
o Project based learning.
o Interdisciplinary curriculum.
o Authentic assessment.
o No ability grouping.
o Public displays of student work.
o “Habits of Mind” inside and outside of the classrooms.
· Removes obstacles to teaching and learning.
· Strikes a balance between supporting and evaluating teachers.
o Supports a model of teacher-to-teacher critique and feedback.
o Does not micro-manage teachers’ daily activities.
o Provides clear and direct feedback to teachers on how they are doing.
o Makes good decisions when a teacher is not working out.
· Celebrates excellence within the school community.
· Supports ongoing professional development for all staff.
School Governance
· Ensures compliance with necessary federal, state, and authorizer mandates.
· Strives to develop a strong student culture.
o Encourages teachers to deal with “every-day” discipline issues in the classroom.
o Takes on challenging student issues.
o Encourages and models a respectful tone between students, teachers, and staff.
o Demonstrates a relentless drive to improve the minds and lives of students
· Has integrity. Is honest and admits mistakes.
· Is improving as a reflective practitioner.
· Connects with all students.
o Is fair and supportive.
o Believes all students are contributors to the community.
o Is honest and sincere with student feedback
· Strives to develop a strong staff culture.
o Balances having a “teacher run school” with the need to make decisions efficiently.
o Works to create a team culture among staff.
· Creates excellent relationships with the Board members and seeks guidance from the Board when issues of policy arise.
· Works well with parents.
· Creates an excellent relationship with the authorizer and acts as primary contact.
· Promotes partnerships among staff, parents, business, agencies and community organizations.
Fiscal and Organizational Management
· Committed to excellence in fiscal and organizational management.
· Develops and manages the school budget, with the Finance Director and under Board approval.
· Leads policy formation and compliance with legal requirements.
· Is solution oriented when problems arise.
· Finds time to think.
· Makes as few decisions as possible, but makes sure they are the right decisions.
· “There are no emergencies.”
o Maintains a calm presence under fire.
· Implements a successful accountability plan with a commitment to continuous school improvement.
The Animas High School Head of School is a:
· Proven leader with strong communication skills.
· Holds high expectations for student and staff.
· Committed to parent and community involvement.
· Expert in school financing.
· Entrepreneurial spirit.
· Adapts to changing conditions.
· Creative and innovative.
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