Position Description: 

Director of The Ross Roeder Institute for Economics, Financial Literacy and  Entrepreneurship 

Start Date: August 11, 2023

10-month Position 

School Overview

Shorecrest Preparatory School is a non-sectarian, coeducational PK3-12 school educating a diverse community of 1043 students to become lifelong learners in the pursuit of personal and academic excellence, physical well-being, creative achievement, and the development of a commitment to social responsibility. Known for its student-centered approach to teaching and learning, Shorecrest intentionally positions itself as offering an academic program that embraces both innovative and traditional approaches to education in a nurturing environment.

As innovation permeates the Shorecrest curriculum, so do the tenets of diversity, equity, and inclusion as guiding principles for the school community and culture. Shorecrest strives to be a place of learning and community where differences are celebrated, where unique qualities are affirmed, and where each member of the community feels valued and respected. Using its Mission Statement as a guide, the School accepts the challenges of building a community of individuals from diverse backgrounds.

St. Petersburg, Florida

A mid-sized city and part of the Tampa Bay metropolitan area of nearly three million residents, St. Petersburg is well known for its pleasant weather and is often referred to by its nickname, "The Sunshine City," for its average of some 361 days of sunshine per year. With a vibrant arts and food scene, a diverse population, and excellent health care, St. Pete offers easy access across the causeway to Tampa and the Tampa International Airport, while being a more laid-back destination with a diverse, close-knit community and easy access to the area's beautiful beaches. 

In just the past few years, the City of St. Petersburg has increasingly become a destination for visitors and new residents from around the country, frequently appearing high on lists and rankings for quality of life, population, economic growth, and more. Longtime residents and community members are quick to mention the role that Shorecrest has played in the city's growth and development.

The Position

Shorecrest has received a $1 million endowment gift to establish The Ross Roeder Institute for Economics, Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship.  

The gift for the Ross Roeder Institute (RRI) will fund a faculty position with the vision that this faculty member will teach in the Upper and Middle Schools while also implementing a schoolwide program in financial literacy and entrepreneurship. The goal is to enhance our current instruction with the creation of a new signature program in the Upper School, consisting initially of electives in Economics and Financial Literacy, and then growing into other subjects. 

We are looking for a program pioneer and a director who will bring their experience to directly teach or co-instruct the main courses in the program, as well as lead the charge to network, coach and mentor in the financial literacy and design thinking process. We believe in the fundamental importance of teaching students about financial literacy. This new program is mission-aligned and will be a differentiator in our market. The RRI will complement and enhance the existing Middle School Entrepreneurial Design Institute (EDI) and Upper School STEAM certificate programs that already exist.

Essential Functions

• Create, design, lead and facilitate a schoolwide program in financial literacy and entrepreneurship that imagines the intersection of education and entrepreneurship and supports students as they discover the many facets of becoming an entrepreneur with hand-on, real world projects. 
• Teach Advanced Placement Macroeconomics & Microeconomics and Honors-level Financial Literacy in the Upper School. A total of three sections will be assigned by the Upper School Academic Dean and/or Department Chair.
• Prepares course materials such as syllabi, assignments, and assessments
• Uses scheduled free periods in order to advise and assist students
• Maintains student attendance records, grades, and other required records
• Plans, evaluates, and revises curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction
• Work to develop a schoolwide financial literacy and entrepreneurship program and engage colleagues in each school, including, but not limited to, connecting with the existing Upper School STEAM program, the Middle School Entrepreneurial Design Institute (EDI), as well as the Lower School academic program.
• Work to grow relationships in the community and beyond with the business and entrepreneurial community to establish a diverse body of speakers, advisors, mentors and consultants to enhance the curriculum.
• Foster and steward relationships with Shorecrest Alumni and parent entrepreneurs who will serve as mentors, advisors and guest lecturers.
• Launch a “Shoretank” school wide competition guided by advisors inside and outside the Shorecrest community. 
• Collaborate with other faculty and staff as part of a community that emphasizes mutual support and shared programmatic creation and implementation

• Complete other duties within the community, including student advising or other extra-curricular activities as approved by the Upper School or Middle School Head
• Review and abide by the Shorecrest Employee Handbook and the Upper School Faculty Handbook
• This position will report to the Upper School Head with respect to the teaching and advising duties and to the Head of School for the schoolwide programming.

Qualifications 

• Candidates must demonstrate the entrepreneurial spirit as highly motivated and self-directed; possessing a growth mindset for the role and the program itself.
• Additionally, candidates must be able to demonstrate the following:
• Teaching experience or demonstrated expertise in their assigned subject area
• Bachelor’s degree in subject area required; a Master’s degree or PhD is preferred
• A commitment to curriculum design, student growth, and teacher growth
• Ability to teach and interact with children ranging from grades K-12 in ways that are age-appropriate
• Program / business leadership with entrepreneurial and financial literacy experience preferred
• Enthusiasm for embracing the independent school model of mentoring, advising, and supporting students outside the classroom
• Usage of authentic assessment, innovative pedagogies, discussion-based learning, and project-based learning
• Proficiency with technology, learning management systems, and basic Google tools and applications
• A commitment to inclusion and issues of social justice and equity
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Candidates must be able to function in a collaborative, collegial, and compassionate educational community that stresses deliberation, discussion, and relationships outside of the classroom.

Interested candidates should send a cover letter, writing sample, resume, and three references to Fatima Morlando, Administrative Assistant to the Upper School Head at 

fmorlando@shorecrest.org. References will not be contacted without notifying the candidate.

Shorecrest participates in E-Verify.

Non-Discrimination Notice 

Shorecrest acknowledges its obligation to prohibit discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin sex, citizenship status, genetic information, handicap or disability in admissions, access, employment, tuition assistance, educational policies, or other school administered student and employee programs and activities. Questions regarding the School’s compliance with the application and administration of the School’s nondiscrimination policies should be directed to Kristine Grant, Head of Middle School, 5101 First Street Northeast, St. Petersburg, Florida 33703, (727)-522-2111, kgrant@shorecrest.org or to the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Please refer to the School’s Non-Discrimination Compliance Policy on the School’s website for information on how to file complaints with OCR.

About Shorecrest Preparatory School

Founded in 1923, Shorecrest is one of the oldest independent schools in Florida serving approximately 950 students from PK to Grade 12. Last year, more than 60% of its graduates matriculated to universities outside the state of Florida. Its curriculum is challenging and offers students multiple opportunities for advanced study through its extensive AP program, advanced elective offerings, and an Independent Study option. St. Petersburg is a vibrant and growing city, named as one of the world’s most attractive small cities for art. It has a lively downtown, abuzz with outdoor concerts and markets, and it is within minutes of some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. Shorecrest Preparatory School welcomes candidates for admission or employment, regardless of age, race, culture, gender, sexual orientation, religion, socio-economic status, national or ethnic origin, and does not discriminate on the basis of any category protected by law in the administration of any of its programs.

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