Wakefield, Massachusetts
Nationwide
Northern & Central California , California
Sacramento, California
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Alexandria, Virginia
Central, South Carolina
Pittsburgh
Posted: 09-Jan-23
Location: West Newton, Massachusetts
Type: Full Time
Required Education:
Summary
Fessenden’s Head of Upper School serves as a Senior Team administrator and reports to the Head of School and Assistant Head of School. The Head of Upper School oversees the students, faculty, and programs for grades seven through nine; a purposeful, joyful, and inclusive division of the School. The overarching goals of this position are to: carry out the mission of the school; work with students and parents as they experience the Upper School; support faculty in their various roles with students; and lead and implement the Upper School program. The Head of Upper School must display a passion for middle school education and foster a love for learning, a commitment to character development, and a celebration of boys and boys’ education amongst students, staff, and parents.
Student Responsibilities
- Set and uphold standards and expectations for Upper School students
- Lead efforts to support students as they meet academic, personal, and social challenges, including student academic placement
- Use division meetings and other student and faculty gatherings to ensure that the core values of honesty, compassion, and respect are exhibited on a daily basis within the Upper School
- Work with the division’s Dean of Students to shape and respond to student conduct
Administrative Responsibilities
- Embody and lead the School’s mission to cultivate each boy’s talents and develop in balance his character, mind, and body in an inclusive and joyful community
- Serve as a member of the School’s Senior Administrative Team, Administrative Council, and PK-9 leadership groups
- Meet regularly with administrators, the division’s Dean of Students and Administrative Assistant, grade-level administrators, and program leaders to coordinate full Upper School program
- Manage the Upper School budget and approve expenditures
- Coordinate with Upper School teachers including specialists in arts, athletics, the Ciongoli Center for Innovation, and the Wheeler Library to develop and implement the program
- Foster partnerships with families and faculty in support of the students and program
- Coordinate with school psychologist, counselor, and Director of Learning Resources on student referrals, and manage action steps to support students and families
- Collaborate with the Director of Residential life to ensure a positive Upper School experience for boarding students
- Assist with Upper School scheduling
Faculty and Staff Responsibilities
- Observe, supervise, and evaluate faculty and staff through Folio, the School’s professional evaluation and growth platform, and in additional ways
- Work with Assistant Head of School to hire and retain a diverse faculty and to support and develop all Upper School faculty members
- Plan and facilitate Upper School faculty meetings
- Meet regularly with individual faculty, mentor new faculty, and build open and supportive lines of communication with all Upper School faculty
Curriculum Responsibilities
- Collaborate with PK-9 team, the Director of Teaching and Learning, Department Chairs and Directors, and the Director of Equity and Inclusion to assure a comprehensive, cohesive, multicultural Upper School curriculum
- Oversee with fellow administrators the implementation of the Upper School curriculum
Professional Development Responsibilities
- Model for colleagues Fessenden’s professional development best practices
- Design and implement cultural competency education programs for Upper School faculty
- Collaborate with the Assistant Head of School, the Director of Equity and Inclusion, and the Director of Teaching and Learning around professional development for Upper School faculty
Admissions Responsibilities
- Attend all Upper School admissions events
- Welcome new Upper School families and oversee their transitions to the School
Additional Responsibilities
- Oversee activities for all on- and off-campus Upper School-sponsored student events
- Coordinate with parent coordinators on Upper School service learning opportunities
- Promote communication among Upper School parents, and specifically with representatives of the Parents Association
- Actively engage with students and faculty in classrooms and other program spaces
Preferred Qualities and Qualifications
- Five years or more of school experience
- Effective School administrative leadership
- Warmth, enthusiasm, and a passion for education
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity and multicultural education
- Open, collaborative, and supportive work style
- Integrity, strong work ethic, and demonstrated leadership ability
- Discretion and the ability to handle confidential and sensitive matters discreetly
- Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred
- Commitment to boys and boys’ education
- Successful criminal background check
The Fessenden School believes that each individual is entitled to equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, ancestry, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local anti-discrimination laws. The School’s equal employment opportunity practices extend to recruitment, hiring, selection, compensation, benefits, transfer, conditions, and privileges of employment.
The Fessenden School encourages applications from candidates with diverse or minority backgrounds.
The Fessenden School is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to Steve Armstrong, Head of School, at sarmstrong@fessenden.org (no phone calls, please) by January 30, 2023.