Position Purpose:
This Head of School role is a leadership position responsible for overseeing the overall administration, educational programs and operations of Mountain Academy - Jackson Campus. It enables the TSS mission in an Early Childhood-8 independent school context creating transformative place-based education through academic engagement, character development, and community focus. The Head of School leads a breadth of stakeholders including students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni, governmental agencies, educational and accrediting agencies. The position is the daily face of the school to students, faculty, and families and holds parent communication and relationships. The Head of School plays a crucial role in shaping the school's identity and ensuring its success.
Qualifications/skills:
Strong organizational skills and timely follow-through
Ability to prioritize competing tasks
Strong collaboration skills and engagement with senior leadership team
Strong experience in learner-centered classroom education
Experience leading high functioning teams toward a common mission
Educational professional with at least 5 years experience in teaching or administration
Master's Degree preferred
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Experience in and commitment to immersive education models (place-based education, project-based learning, study abroad, service learning, wilderness education, farm and garden programs, etc.)
Ability to work effectively with a stakeholders, including administration, faculty, parents, students, and program facilitators
Strong systems thinking skills with experience in operations
Familiarity with Microsoft Office products, Google Apps and budgeting software
Working Conditions & Physical Requirements:
Able to write / type / communicate
Primarily based at Jackson Campus with occasional travel in surrounding areas
Able to sit/stand at a desk for up to 8 hours
Responsibilities:
Educational Leadership
Provide leadership for the school, collaborate with Head of School - Teton Valley Campus on setting academic and educational goals with the school's mission and values
Oversee student conduct and maintain student discipline.
Oversee the advancement and innovation of Mountain Academy curriculum and faculty training. Oversee and implement appropriate fac/staff training (driving, wildlife, EC licensing)
Foster a positive and innovative learning environment that promotes excellence
Promote high standards and expectations for academic engagement, character development and community focus.
Collaborate with the Learning Support Team to provide academic support, student counseling, and testing.
Administration and Management
Oversee day-to-day operations of the school, including budgeting, financial management and resource allocations
Prepare and maintain the school's master calendar with Head of School - Teton Valley Campus
Develop and implement the Student and Family Handbooks.
Be responsible for attracting, selecting, hiring, retaining, developing, and evaluating properly qualified faculty and staff, as well as terminating personnel when needed
Serve as an engaged teacher leader coaching faculty and staff and connected to the student experience.
Accountable for the effective hiring, training, and supervision of qualified team members and ensure all employees follow TSS operating guidelines.
Responsible and accountable for strong budget and financial performance and coaching faculty and staff in these areas as appropriate
Responsible for the operational success of all Independent School and campus specific programming including both academic year and summer programming
Have direct supervision over and responsibly provide direction to administration and faculty to ensure that school policies are followed
Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements governing independent schools
Responsible, in collaboration with Head of School - Teton Valley Campus, for Mountain Academy accrediation and any licensing requirments.
Community Engagement
Build and maintain positive relationships with students, parents, alumni, and the broader community
Engage families in student learning through appropriate strategic thinking, collaboration, and communication.
Act as a spokesperson for both campuses, representing its interests to external/internal stakeholders
Represent the school at campus functions and with local, state, regional, and national educational organizations and accrediting agencies.
Strategic Planning
Develop and implement strategic plans for the school's long term growth and success Mountain Academy committees
Collaborate with HoS - TVC to evaluate and update educational programs to meet the evolving needs of students
Ensure regular assessment and evolution of school curriculum, climate, and systems to assure high quality programming and appropriate efficiency.
Oversee the evaluation and evolution of replicable enrollment, operational, and programmatic systems (ie: calendar utilization, logistics, training, etc.) that most effectively serves mission appropriate students and families
Fundraising and Development
Responsible raise funds for the school through various channels, including alumni relations, grants and events
Collaborate with and support the Advancement Department, Development Committee, and Independent School Committee in Campus specific fundraising.
Support the Director of Enrollment Management in recruitment of new students through tours, communication, etc.
Proactively represent the TSS Independent School presence through appropriate community forums improving school visibility and value.
Clearly communicate and execute a compelling brand promise to current and prospective Mountain Academy students and families.
Elevate the Mountain Academy as the school of choice for mission appropriate families in the greater Teton region.
Student Welfare
Promote and manage a safe, inclusive and supportive learning environment for students
Oversee all issues pertaining to the well-being of students during their attendance at the school. Ensure the health and safety of students on campus
Collaborate with the Learning Support Team to provide academic support, student counseling, and testing.
Ensure an inclusive environment at all levels where students thrive and all employees have leadership development opportunities.
Address disciplinary matters and student well - being in collaboration with relevant staff
Address social and academic infractions; maintain correspondence related to grades and conduct with parents and other concerned parties.
Professional Development
Support the ongoing professional development of faculty and staff
Stay informed about educational trends and best practices
Board Relations
Work closely with the Mountain Academy Advisory Board, providing regular updates and collaborating on strategic initiaives. Serves on the Mountain Academy Advisory Board.
Staff contact for the Mountain Academy Committee (or equivalent governance structure) of the TSS Board of Directors.
Work with Mountain Academy Committee (or equivalent governance structure) of the TSS Board of Directors on strategy of Mountain Academy
Admissions and Marketing
Responsible for the admissions process, working to attract and retain students. Oversee the Enrollment Management Coordinator for the JC/TVC
Contribute to marketing and communication efforts to enhance information sharing, school's visibility and reputation
Responsible for the quality of parent communication systems.
Innovation and Adaptability
Foster a culture of innovation and adaptability to meet the changing needs of education
One TSS
Cross markets TSS programs when opportunities arise
Active involvement in institutional committees (ie: strategic plan committees)
Proactively and positively shares the TSS mission and program structure with external stakeholders
Supports and contributes to the work of the Operations Team, representing the independent schools
Contribute towards the vision, strategy, and operational execution of TSS
Contribute to institutional coordination of programs, resources and staff to efficiently and effectively support TSS mission and advance strategic plan
Lead the creation and management of the Independent School budget. Provide data to inform schoolwide financial prioritization and decision making.
Accountable for the effective communication and collaboration between Independent School and other TSS program areas/Central Administration departments (Finance and Human Resources, Property Management, and IT)
Represent Teton Science Schools to appropriate community, regional, and national events and groups
Embody and advocate the mission of Teton Science Schools and its manifestation in an Early Childhood-8 school in the greater Teton region
Contribute to inclusive work and learning environments through continually developing cultural competency. Cultural Competence is one’s ability to interact effectively across various dimensions of diversity. It lies at the intersection of awareness of others, self-awareness, and applying skills & knowledge to promote inclusion and equity.
This job description is not meant to state or imply that these are the only duties performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their manager in compliance with federal and state laws.