Dean of Experiential Education

SUMMARY

Internationalism. Democracy. Environmentalism. Adventure. Leadership. Service. These are the pillars of Round Square, an international network of 200+ schools in 50+ countries that The Athenian School co-founded. Athenian, a grades 6-12 day and boarding independent school located on 75 acres near the rolling East Bay hills of the San Francisco Bay Area, has been living out its mission of experiential learning as a Round Square school since 1966.

These six core values are also the pillars of a new role at Athenian: dean of experiential education. The “Pillar Dean,” as this role is affectionately known at Athenian, will be charged with coordinating several all-school experiential learning programs, but more importantly with bringing those experiential principles of learning-by-doing to the core curriculum. Thus, the dean of experiential education will serve as a critical bridge and mentor to middle and upper school faculty. The Pillar Dean, a 12-month role that reports to the assistant head of school / middle school head, starts July 1, 2021.

For more information please visit the following link, which contains the job opportunity statement and complete application instructions.

              http://www.12MRecruiting.com/jobs/DEE

IMPORTANT DATES

Applications Accepted Starting: January 7, 2021

Application Deadline: February 5, 2021 at 5:00pm PST

Semifinal Round: Week of February 16

Final Round: Week of March 1

Decision Announced: March 19, 2021

Start Date: July 1, 2021

SPECIFIC DUTIES

Program Management

• Under the direction of the assistant head / head of middle school, and in close consultation with the assistant head / head of upper school, lead a thoughtful and comprehensive integration of the six Round Square pillars into the school’s curriculum and programs.
• Oversee the operations and management of following programs: March Term (Upper School), Focus Fridays (Middle School), and Community Service and Engagement (Upper and Middle School).
• Lead the development of a unified 6-12 curricular arc for March Term, Focus Fridays, and Community Service and Engagement, and help integrate those programs into core disciplines and other parts of the curriculum.
• Ensure, through ongoing and clear communication, that the community understands the pillars of Round Square and Athenian's commitment to them.

Faculty Partnership

• Support and inspire faculty members in both divisions to develop and implement experiential projects and nontraditional curriculum.
• Serve as an instructional design partner and mentor to teachers.
• Partner with other leaders of 6-12 experiential programs, including the directors of Athenian Wilderness Experience, Carter Innovation Studio, and Round Square Exchange, to help integrate those programs, and the Round Square pillars they represent, into Athenian’s curriculum and programs.
• Establish and maintain thoughtful curricular and programmatic partnerships — regionally, nationally, and internationally.

General Leadership and Instruction

• Explore the implementation of a portfolio tool for students to exhibit their mastery in a Round Square Pillar focus.
• Teach students during Focus Fridays and March Term courses.
• Serve on committees as directed, including the Teaching and Learning Committee and the Professional Development Committee.

ATHENIAN IS LOOKING FOR CANDIDATES WHO CAN DEMONSTRATE

Professional Qualifications and Experience:

• Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, though a graduate degree or advanced coursework in curriculum development would be highly desirable
• Demonstrated teaching excellence of middle school or high school students, preferably in an independent school environment
• Five or more years of teaching or director-level experience, preferably in a school
• A successful history of creating and leading experiential, project-based, interdisciplinary, and hands-on projects, instruction, and learning opportunities
• Experience with curriculum design, innovative pedagogy, and assessment
• Proven commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice

Leadership and Personal Qualities:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing new programs, and in managing others to high expectations as those programs are carried out
• Commitment to and facility with faculty support, professional development, and leadership
• Commitment to the integration of diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice, and cultural competency within a curriculum

Preferred, though not required:

• Experience with budget oversight and other financial and human resource matters
• Experience in a Round Square school or institution with a similar mission
• Expertise in effective and equitable recruitment and hiring practices
• Technology competence and integration
• Knowledge of the college process and students’ admissions needs
• Familiarity with student wellness issues and an understanding of how academic rigor and student wellness can be symbiotic

TO APPLY

For more information please visit the following link, which contains the job opportunity statement and complete application instructions.

              http://www.12MRecruiting.com/jobs/DEE

The Athenian School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, faith, sex, gender or gender expression, age, ability, sexual orientation, familial or marital status. The Athenian School is actively seeking to create a more culturally diverse school community and as such, we encourage people of color and members of the LGBTIQ community to apply. Athenian’s salary and benefits are competitive and include medical, vision, and dental insurance, a retirement plan, a smoke-free environment, and a daily prepared lunch.