Career Center
Chicago, Illinois
Durham, North Carolina
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Posted: 11-Apr-23
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Type: Full Time
Required Education:
Internal Number: 12987
University School of Nashville seeks a Head of Middle School to serve as the educational leader for the Middle School. This person will be responsible for its day-to-day operation through development and articulation of school goals, department goals, course objectives, materials, methods, and means of assessment. This person will develop and maintain strong relationships with families, the community, and the other divisions. A high level of professionalism, knowledge and experience in diversity and inclusion, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, organizational skills, and attention to detail is required.
The School
USN has a deep commitment to equitable and just community spaces. Candidates should be knowledgeable of research on how implicit biases in race, ethnicity, gender identity and socioeconomic class can shape curricula and pedagogy, classroom culture, and student outcomes. Candidates should be able to translate that knowledge into demonstrable actions that promote equitable and just teaching and learning cultures.
University School of Nashville is an independent, non-sectarian, co-educational day school with enrollment of over 1,000 students kindergarten through twelfth grade. In 1915, the George Peabody College for Teachers opened Peabody Demonstration School, USN’s predecessor, which earned acclaim for its curriculum and faculty. In 1974, Peabody College announced plans to close PDS, and a group of parents, alumni, students, and teachers reconstituted and re-chartered the school as University School of Nashville.
USN’s midtown location adjacent to Vanderbilt University and its Peabody College for Teachers reminds us each day of our beginnings over a century ago in the demonstration school culture of innovation and educational best practices. It’s a vibrant educational community for both students and teachers in the midst of a dynamic city.
In the USN community, students expect much of each other, and faculty benefit from that high standard. We seek educators who are enthusiastic about their own learning to complement their work and we offer many opportunities for professional growth. USN is committed to creating an institutional environment that mirrors the cultural and ethnic composition of greater Nashville. USN encourages a diverse applicant pool and provides equal employment opportunities for employees and job applicants.
Responsibilities
- Provide a collaborative, evolving vision grounded in the best practices of Middle grades education.
- Inspire all constituencies to move in the same direction towards an excellent cohesive Middle School with clarity and passion for the uniqueness of middle school students.
- Provides congruence between the mission and all activities of the middle school division
- Ensure the smooth and safe running of the day-to-day life of the middle school division, including communication with families, students, teachers, advisors, and staff.
- Mentor, observe, supervise, and evaluate the faculty in developing and implementing their curriculum.
- Model professional growth and development for all members of the Middle School teaching and learning community.
- Anticipate, plan for, and communicate future division needs related to human and financial resources, including budget management, program development, and strategic priorities.
- Make recommendations to the Director regarding faculty hiring, retention, and assignment.
- Provide the academic guidance of students and oversee the grading and reporting of standards and methods used by teachers in measuring student achievement.
- Work collaboratively with Lower and High School division heads to support the full range of our K-12 program, including curricular alignment and social-emotional learning.
- Assist in the admission and enrollment process.
- Support, monitor, and assist middle school faculty and staff by actively managing middle school programming through daily physical presence on campus throughout the day.
- Attend regularly scheduled division head meetings, and serve as a member of the Administrative Team, School Renewal, ODCL Hiring and Retention Committees, and other committees as needed and appropriate.
- Perform other duties as determined by the Director and sometimes the Board of Trustees.
- Demonstrate leadership and commitment to cultural competency, equity, and justice in learning.
Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree minimum; master’s degree in education or related field preferred
- Minimum five years of experience teaching at the middle school level
- Minimum of five years of experience in curriculum and supervision
- Demonstrated leadership experience within an educational community
- Commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse program
- Extensive knowledge of social-emotional learning practices and child development
Please be prepared to upload the following items through USN's online application for this position:
Cover Letter
Resume
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University School of Nashville is an Equal Opportunity Employer seeking to diversify its workplace. For more information about University School of Nashville, see the school's website at www.usn.org.
