Lower School (K-8th) Director

Position: Lower School Director

Purpose of the Position/Job Summary:

As a vital part of the SLO Classical Academy (SLOCA) team, the Lower School Director (LSD) is responsible for the thriving of our teachers, students, and the implementation of our core classical education program for 1st-8th grades.

SLOCA’s Vision of and for an Employee

Highly desirable employees at SLO Classical Academy are those who are: passionate about classical education and children, committed to personal and professional growth and development, effective and loyal team players, creative thinkers, in full support of our core values, and interested in the health and growth of SLO Classical Academy.

Employee Status:

• Full-time, year-round, exempt

Education and experience:

• 4+ years experience in educational leadership: administration, managing, and program development
• Classical training, education, and/or experience highly desirable
• Graduate degree in related area or 10+ years experience as a classical educator

Qualifications and Core Competencies

• Experience with supervising, evaluating, and mentoring direct reports
• Experience with guiding the professional learning of educators
• A dynamic educator with administrative experience
• Demonstrated professional behavior, including discretion, judgment, and integrity, particularly in challenging leadership situations
• The ideal candidate will be a model of servant-leadership while partnering with all members of Team SLOCA to fulfill the mission of the school
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, nurtured by both curiosity and conviction
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated experience with the ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with all constituents
• Demonstrated ability to independently and appropriately set and follow through on priorities
• Support and uphold the school’s unique makeup as non-sectarian and accessible to families from various backgrounds and beliefs
• Strength in working with people of all sorts and ages; hospitality/customer service oriented
• Hold a mindset of growth and a willingness to learn
• Personal standard of excellence; highly organized; attention to detail and accuracy; flexible & adaptable
• All prospective employees must be able to clear a background check and TB screening
• Technology - Mac literate; knowledgeable with Word, Pages, Excel, Google, etc.
• Ability to carry out duties as described below

Primary Working Relationships within School Staff:

The Lower School Director will report to the Founder/Head of School

• The Lower School Director oversees:
• K-8th Lead Teachers and Team
• 1st-6th Science Lead
• Librarian/s
• K -8th Curriculum Coordinator and Team
• The Lower School Director cares for the students and their families in concert with their teachers
• The Lower School Director serves on the Broader Leadership Team and EduLeads Team
• The Lower School Director also:
• Connects with the Early Childhood Director and High School Director, all responsible for a consistent educational experience
• Serves as the Grammar/MS liaison for mathematics and 7-12 science lead
• Supports the Family Recruitment and Retention Team
• Partners with various teams on special projects

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

People: Staff development and growth

• Oversight of People:
• Supports, develops, and grows the Lead Teachers 1st-8th grade (including math and science)
• Through the Lead Teachers, is ultimately responsible for the support, development, and growth of Kindergarten teacher and all 1st-8th grade teachers, Learning Leaders, and Aides
• Supports, develops, and grows the library staff
• Supports, develops, and grows the Curriculum Coordinator
• Supports, develops, and grows the 1st-6th Science Lead
• Training/meetings
• Partners with EduLeads to plan, implement, and participate in all August staff and educationally-related parent training
• Oversee Lead Teacher meetings

Program: vision, implementation, and growth

• Core program
• Is responsible for the development and implementation of our core classical education program for K -8th grade in line with our mission and vision
• Is responsible for the development and implementation of the Big Grid for these levels
• Supplemental programs
• Support the FT program and the Lead Teachers overseeing their levels; recommend and facilitate changes as approved by the Founder/Head
• Maintain responsibility for the successful implementation of Spanish support

Parent + Student Care:

• Partner with teachers and the Community Life Manager for classroom management, student issues, and parent interactions
• Be visible and interact relationally with students and parents to provide care and support, and maximize impact on our community
• Oversee plan and implementation of morning meetings

Special assignments: various special projects will be assigned here and there, including, but not limited to:

• Maintain a consistent presence on campus to provide care, support, and help as needed with staff, students, and parents
• Along with other leadership, connect with the classical community outside of SLOCA
• Review books and curriculum as needed
• Participate in special projects as needed

Shared responsibilities as Broader Lead Team Member

The Broader Leadership Team (BLT) collectively brings our mission and vision to life, together and in each person’s area of oversight. They are ambassadors for SLOCA. The BLT is the #1 team for its members. They are a unified team of leaders overseeing various aspects of the organization. They respect, encourage, support, and recognize the various roles on the team. They present as one unified leadership team and have each other's backs. If this team is not well-connected, it puts the entire organization at risk.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Taking initiative and leading in their own areas to support the organizational goals/direction
• Providing data and input for the ELT
• Holding one another accountable
• Embracing and owning SLOCA ELT and BLT decisions (for the good of the organization) and representing the direction and decisions on their teams, moving them towards understanding and action
• Serve as connectors/be aware of what is going on in other departments
• Participating in decisions as appropriate, primarily related to one’s area of oversight and in line with mission and vision
• Providing hospitality to coworkers, parents, and students
• Growing one’s team and/or area of oversight as aligned with the mission and vision
• Support team members and participate in other teams/activities/goals as needed

Physical Demands:*

Able to lift a minimum of 25 pounds on a limited basis

*The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Pay: $75,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• We ask that all applicants submit a cover letter with their resume for consideration.

Experience:

• Education Administration: 6 years (Preferred)

Work Location: In person