Website woodlandpk8 Woodland School
Position Overview
Woodland Schools seeks a full time Middle School Division Director beginning in July 2021. Located just west of Stanford University, Woodland is an independent day school that offers a joyful approach to learning in a diverse, respectful, and inclusive environment for approximately 300 students in early childhood through eighth grade. We have two sections of each grade level K- 8 with class sizes that average from 14-18 per class.
Woodland School specializes in education that inspires students by nurturing each individual’s voice, intellect, and character. With rich content and an emphasis on inquiry-based and student-driven projects, students are empowered and encouraged to be active and engaged learners. Our students’ innate sense of wonder is the foundation of learning at Woodland School. Teachers craft meaningful, multi-sensory learning experiences which enable creativity, ingenuity, and deep interdisciplinary connections. Students explore and develop complex understandings that engender a sense of self and purpose in the world.
Woodland School’s faculty create a school environment that is as supportive and nurturing as it is challenging, and they embody the core values of the school—stewardship, integrity, curiosity, resilience, equity, and respect. Our teachers apply best practices through collaboration, integrated curriculum, brain-based teaching and learning methods, and continued professional development. Our teachers are themselves learners, constantly searching for ways to improve their practice. A robust professional development program supports our faculty by connecting them to the best practices in pedagogy, curriculum development, educational technology, and student assessment.
The Middle School Director is responsible for a division which includes 125 students in Grades 5-8, reports directly to the Head of School, and works closely with all constituents of the school including students, faculty, parents, administration, and the Board of Trustees. The ideal candidate should have strong knowledge of academic, social, and emotional development of fifth through eighth grade students. He or she must be highly organized, have excellent verbal and writing skills, understand current education pedagogy, and be adept at working with all constituents of the school community. Strong interpersonal, communication, and problem solving skills are essential.
Duties, Skills, and Responsibilities
The Middle School Division Director is responsible for oversight of day-to-day operations of the division and demonstrates a commitment to the school’s mission, vision, and values. The director is responsible for hiring, supervising, and evaluating faculty and oversees the academic, social, and emotional development of students. Woodland School expects that a Middle School Division Director will adhere to the following duties as part of their daily responsibilities:
- Serves as the intellectual leader of the division
- Hires, supervises, and evaluates Middle School faculty
- Works closely with the Lower School Director
- Serves on the senior administrative team to set school policy
- Manages various divisional budgets
- Creates and implements schedules and duty rosters in conjunction with the Lower School Division Director
- Works with the Lower School Division Director to promote continuity and coherence of programs
- Participates in admissions process and decisions
- Oversees Middle School discipline
- Oversees each grade level and student
- Serves as liaison to parents
- Collaborates with the Director of Teaching, Learning, and Professional Growth in all areas related to curriculum and faculty professional development
- Maintains faculty morale
- Conducts the faculty assessment process
- Works with learning specialist to create support plans for students
- Conducts division and grade level meetings with faculty
- Organizes and supervises all student reporting and grading
- Organizes and leads morning assemblies
- Works with SEL teacher/counselor to create emotional supports for students
- Oversees student progress and tracks outcome data via standardized testing, alumni survey, and high school placement data
- Organizes, manages, and prioritizes multiple priorities
How to Apply
Candidates for this position should submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for a minimum of three references (at least one recent supervisor is required).
Salary and benefits are commensurate with our peer schools in the San Francisco Bay Area and with like NAIS schools.
Woodland School is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications from candidates who reflect such diversity. Woodland School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin in the administration of its educational or admission policies, financial aid distribution, or other school programs.
