Assistant Head of School

School Overview: Rochester Montessori School (RMS) is an independent Montessori day school established in 1968, serving 240 children ages 18 months through eighth grade. Our Middle School incorporates an International Baccalaureate Program (MYP). The school is deeply committed to providing an excellent academic education while empowering children to become independent, creative, empathetic, life-long learners who will build a better world.

Position Description:

RMS seeks an outstanding Assistant Head of School to join the administrative team immediately. Reporting to the Head of School, the Assistant Head of School (AHoS) will lead the academic program, engage other school leaders as a strategic thought partner, and drive academic strategy and coherence. This position will be an essential member of the administrative leadership team, overseeing daily academic operations and partnering with all community members.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Collaborate with HOS in the hiring process for faculty 
• Design and implement the orientation and ongoing mentoring for new hires
• Coordinate professional development for faculty
• Promote curricular development and coordination across levels of the school
• Participate in and support  the school accreditation process
• Be an active, effective, visible, and friendly presence in all areas of the school, dealing with routine and extraordinary issues as they arise
• With HOS, ensure supportive classroom observations, teacher evaluations, and follow-up goal-setting conversations
• Work collaboratively with staff in a supportive environment to ensure that the school’s curriculum and overall programs appropriately challenge and meet the needs of our entire student body
• Engage colleagues in regular ongoing review and evaluation of the curriculum 
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge base and familiarity with the central issues and research areas encompassed by our school’s curriculum
• Listen actively to individual and collective colleague concerns and seek solutions
• Conduct regular meetings with colleagues that both address routine matters and include the exchange of ideas on issues of educational/ philosophical interests and concerns
• As needed, support the admissions process through articulating the strengths of our school to prospective families in group presentations and individual discussions 
• Collaborate with staff to develop initiatives that address the transition of students and families between levels
• In partnership with the Director of Communications, take leadership responsibility for various communication channels (written, printed, and online).
• Compassionately listen and respond to individual family concerns in a timely manner.
• Attend divisional meetings as needed in order to gain a strong perspective on students’ experiences across levels.
• Oversee direct reports, including classroom assistants, the extra-curricular additional services coordinator (summer programs and before- and after-school services), and academic support specialists.

Additional Responsibilities

• Maintain confidentiality in all relationships.
• Support and uphold the policies of the school with families, faculty, and the public
• Promote a positive organizational culture and effective staff relations
• Support the coordination of special events
• Attend school events as requested by the HOS
• Handle regular communications with students and families, including questions and concerns.
• Offer assistance to HOS in an administrative capacity
• Perform other responsibilities as required by HOS

• Required Qualifications:

  B.A. in education or related field.

  Minimum of two years of administrative experience.

  Deep understanding of Montessori pedagogy.

  Demonstrated problem-solving strengths

• Preferred Qualifications:

  An advanced degree is preferred.

  Montessori teaching experience

  Understanding of and experience with International Baccalaureate (IB)

   

• Salary/Benefits

  Pay: $70,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year Benefits:

  • Health/Vision/Dental/LTD/Life Insurance
  • 50% Tuition Remission
  • Employer contribution to Simple IRA
  • Sick/Personal and Vacation leave
  
  

  How to Apply

  • Email the following to employment@rmschool.org
  • Cover letter expressing interest in the position
  • A statement of educational philosophy (1 to 2 pages)
  • Current resume 
  • Three to five professional references