Position Opening: Interim Head of Lower School (Grades PreK-3)

Type: Full-time administrator (12-month contract); one-year position (July 2024 - June 30, 2025)

Application Deadline: Open until filled

Start Date: July 1, 2024

Maumee Valley Country Day School seeks an outstanding, collaborative leader who cultivates an inclusive community and fosters teamwork to support the Lower School community and program. A strong candidate has demonstrated success building culture and experience working with students aged 3-3rd grade. The ideal candidate will be a visionary leader with the skills to collaborate, delegate, and pitch in when needed. Strong communication skills and follow-through are essential. This position uses the school’s Mission and Vision as the guiding principles of decision-making and leadership.

This position reports to the Head of School and collaborates closely with the senior leadership team. The Head of Lower School advocates for students and faculty within the division while fostering a team approach to all-school leadership. As the leader of the youngest division of the school, the Head ensures the development and implementation of a cohesive and progressive curriculum and philosophy as students begin their educational journey. As a full-time employee, the position offers all benefits afforded to full-time employees, including, but not limited to, comprehensive health benefits, robust paid time off, paid life insurance, tuition remission, and professional development.

The Head of Lower School is responsible for the academics, staffing, disciplinary, administrative duties, and parent relationships for the Lower School at MVCDS. This leader will advance the Mission and Vision of Maumee Valley and work collaboratively with the Head of School, division heads, and senior leadership team to implement the school’s strategic plan.

Key Responsibilities and Duties:

Fully embrace MV’s Mission, Vision, Guiding Principle, and the portrait of an MV Graduate

Design, schedule, and implement the Lower School curriculum in collaboration with the Lower School team

Oversee student progress data and conduct family meetings as necessary

Conduct quarterly data-driven conversations with each area of the LS (PK/JK, K/1, 2/3)

Incorporate Lower School best practices and 21st-century educational practices into the curriculum

Oversee the day-to-day operation of the Lower School

Assume the leadership of professional development, mentoring, and evaluation of teachers and staff in the Lower School. The Head of School will handle improvement plans.

Create and foster a collaborative, engaging, and positive Lower School environment

Commit to evaluating and improving an already-strong program and enhancing our outdoor education and Forest School-inspired curriculum.

Build and maintain strong relationships with students, parents, and faculty

Support the Admission Office in the recruitment and evaluation of prospective students

Meet performance goals established as part of the annual performance-planning process or as the result of organizational planning

Actively engage in personal and professional work in support of the school’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives

Work independently with minimum supervision

Oversee the Extended Time Care program

Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor

Skills and Qualities:

Ability to effectively direct, plan, implement, and evaluate academic programs

Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to provide direction and support the personal growth of faculty and staff

Understand differentiated learning in a mixed-age group setting and be knowledgeably aware of child development, mainly Pre-K through 3rd grade.

Ability to communicate effectively orally and written with faculty, staff, parents, students, and outside agencies

Ability to work collaboratively, particularly in diverse settings

Excellent time-management skills and ability to prioritize work

Ability to be flexible and adapt to a high-intensity school environment

Innovative problem-solving skills

Exceptional executive-functioning skills

Deep understanding and demonstrated integration of DEIB practices

Commitment to and understanding of students of all learning styles

Education and Experience

Master's degree in education or a related field preferred

Minimum of 5 years of teaching experience, preferably in a Lower School

Three years of demonstrated leadership in schools

Independent school experience preferred

Knowledge and implementation of Lower School best practices and 21st-century educational practices

Faculty: Must be willing and able to secure an Ohio Permanent Non-Tax certificate or professional teaching license. The school will support you in obtaining this once hired. However, it must be secured within the first six months of employment for compliance purposes.

Background check:

All Maumee Valley employees and volunteers must agree to a comprehensive background check and confidentiality agreement.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities to all personnel and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military status, veteran status, ancestry, or citizenship, per applicable laws. In addition, we comply with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. We value a diverse workforce.

Employees who believe they have been discriminated against may discuss this with their supervisor or the Head of School.

Our Philosophy of Teaching and Learning

As Maumee Valley Country Day School approaches the 140th anniversary of its founding, it remains the preeminent educational institution in northwest Ohio. It is the only accredited, coeducational, nonreligious, and independent school in the area and attracts families from northwest Ohio, southeast Michigan, and nations worldwide. Enrollment is about 470 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th Grade. We prepare students for global citizenship and admission to prestigious universities. We are known for outstanding academics, high test scores, a beautiful campus, unrivaled opportunities for study abroad, hands-on learning, and personal bonds between students and teachers.

At Maumee Valley, children dream, explore, and cultivate their passions and strengths. Our faculty and staff do the same. We are more than a school and more than a group of people: We are a community of lifelong learners who inspire joy. As the only PreK-12 independent school in northwest Ohio, we support an accomplished and diverse student body within a progressive academic program.

A Maumee Valley education is Personal, Experiential, and Global. A journey of discovery and action defines each child’s learning experience. Through an intentionally crafted curriculum, including active lessons and serendipitous explorations, a Maumee Valley education launches children toward the investigation of the world. It helps them find their place in it. With our students at the center of our decision-making, we aspire to seek understanding, grow in our compassion and empathy, and adapt to the ever-changing world our students will one day lead.

Read our school’s Statement of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging:

https://www.mvcds.org/about/diversity-equity-and-inclusion

We believe in collaboration, innovation, and the power of community.