Wingra School is an independent school for ages five to fourteen centrally-located in Madison, Wisconsin, or Dejope, within the ancestral and contemporary sacred homeland of the Ho-Chunk People. We are currently searching for an Academic Dean, to begin 1 July, 2023. We recognize the inherent strengths that come from different viewpoints, backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. As an organization, we are committed to examining our unconscious biases, working toward a just, equitable, and peaceful world. 

Wingra School, in service of social justice, strives for equity and fosters responsibility, advocacy, and compassion. As a historically white organization, we recognize the existence of institutional racism that has excluded Black, Indigenous, and other people of color from positions of power, and contributed to their discrimination, persecution, genocide, incarceration, and execution. We recognize that we live in an unjust society and are seeking people to be part of our transformation to uphold a core tenet of Wingra School’s progressive mission since its inception: to educate and to work for a more perfect union.

The Position:

We seek an Academic Dean guided by principles of equity, inclusion, democratic processes, and anti-racist practices. The candidate is an excellent communicator who can work independently and as part of a team, is resourceful, responsive, organized, and able to navigate the educational terrain. The Academic Dean assists the Head of School in the administration of the day-to-day operations of the school and works with other administrative personnel to ensure the effectiveness of the program and its alignment with the school’s mission, vision, and values. 

In general, the Academic Dean acts as an educational leader of the school, is a visible presence in all areas of the School, works toward a resolution of problems as they arise, and partners with the Head of School to oversee curriculum, instruction, and faculty development. 

The Wingra Community–staff, families, Board, and others–have collectively compiled the following priorities for a Wingra upper level administrator.:

• Strong background in education to include teaching, preferably 5-14 year olds
• Effective Communicator
• Supportive of staff voice in decision-making
• Ability to approach an issue through multiple lenses and with integrity
• Skill and understanding in the area of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice
• General Teaching and Administrative Experience
• Knowledge of, experience with, passion for, and a value system rooted in progressive and responsive education
• High level of emotional intelligence
• Emphasize developmentally appropriate, child-centered practice that prioritizes physical, social, emotional, and academic development
• Skilled at practicing collaborative leadership
• Commitment to social justice education and service learning
• Ability to recruit a wide spectrum of staff and students, that reflects the demographics of Madison

Opportunities and Challenges:

• Working with a Board of Trustees that is majority BIPOC
• Continuing to build a cohesive K-8 program that reflects our values and supports our mission
• Advancing seeded initiatives for a school garden and a food program as a precursor for environmental justice and Indigenous land practices 
• Engaging with community organizations to ensure that we are actively part of the solution to inequality both locally and beyond
• Navigating a new tuition model based on family ability to pay
• Developing culturally sustaining pedagogies across the curriculum
• Implementing a new staff and student assessment model 

Wingra School Mission Statement:

• In service of learning, we practice responsive and progressive education, and strive for equity. 
• In service of the whole person, we embrace unique gifts, experiences, and relationships.
• In service of social justice, we foster responsibility, advocacy, and compassion.
• In service of democracy, we nurture individual and collective growth.
• In service of the world, we cultivate curiosity, creativity, and innovation.

We value and respect all types of diversity and strongly encourage applicants from traditionally marginalized groups to apply. We prohibit discrimination and provide equal employment opportunity without regard to, and not limited to, ethnicity, religion, race, national origin, abilities, gender identity, age or genetic information.

Application Information:

Please submit an updated resume and statement of educational philosophy to ebony@wingraschool.org. Deadline for applications is March 27, 2023. Initial interviews will be conducted by the search committee.  Interview questions will be sent to candidates prior to the interview.

Job Type: Full-time, 12 months

Pay: $70k-$90k, commensurate with experience

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Madison, WI 53711: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)
• Master’s (Preferred) 

Experience:

• Teaching/Instruction: 5 years (Required)
• Administration: 2 years (Preferred)

Work Location: One location : 100% in person

About Wingra School

Wingra is an independent progressive school for children ages five to fourteen located on a hillside across from the University of Wisconsin Arboretum, centrally-located in Madison. We’re on the Madison Metro bus line, which is our connection to the Overture Center, the downtown library, the State Capitol, the University of Wisconsin campus, and much more. There’s a charm to our building, a history. Wingra School lives in the former Dudgeon School building, on Monroe Street. At its founding in 1972, Wingra School set out to re-imagine education for children in our changing world. The grass-covered lower yard and upper outdoor performance stage and indigenous playscape are Madison City parks that provide children with green space, trees, ball diamonds, swing sets, climbing structures, and wide-open spaces. The hill in the lower yard is great for sledding in winter!

Connections working at Wingra School