Career Center

Position opening: Head of Middle School (grades 4-8)

Type: Full-time administrator (12-month contract)

Application deadline: Dec. 15, 2023 

Start date: July 1, 2024

Maumee Valley Country Day School seeks an outstanding, collaborative leader who cultivates an inclusive community and fosters teamwork to support the Middle School community and program. A strong candidate has demonstrated success in building culture and experience creating educational excellence for students in grades 4-8. The ideal candidate will be a visionary leader with the skills to collaborate, delegate, and pitch in when needed. Strong communication skills and follow through are essential. This position uses the mission and vision of the school as the guiding principles of decision making and leadership.

This position reports to the Head of School and collaborates closely with the senior leadership team. The Head of Middle School advocates for students and faculty within the division while fostering a team approach to all-school leadership. As the leader of the middle division of the school, the Head ensures the development and implementation of a cohesive and progressive curriculum and philosophy as students transition from one division to the next.  As a full-time employee, the position offers all benefits afforded to full-time employees, including, but not limited to, comprehensive health benefits, robust paid time off, paid life insurance, tuition remission, and professional development. 

The Head of Middle School leads academics, student programming, and faculty development for approximately 15 teachers and  135 students. This leader will advance the mission and vision of Maumee Valley Country Day School and work collaboratively with the Head of School, other division heads, and the senior leadership team to implement the school’s strategic plan.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Supporting the mission and vision of the school

• Fully embrace MV’s mission, vision, guiding principle, and the portrait of an MV graduate
• Actively engage in personal and professional work in support of the school’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives 
• Stay abreast of current educational research and best practices for Middle School learners

Leadership

• Guide the professional development, mentoring, and evaluation of faculty and staff in the Middle School
• Create and foster a collaborative, engaging, and positive Middle School environment
• Support the work of the Admission Office in the recruitment, retention, and evaluation of prospective students
• Meet performance goals established as part of the annual performance-planning process or as the result of organizational planning
• Develops and leads Middle School Town Meetings and Assemblies
• In conjunction with the senior leadership team, oversees the implementation of the school’s strategic plan
• Serves on school-wide committees and task forces as appropriate
• Oversees and mentors new employees to the Middle School

Curriculum

• Oversees the comprehensive documentation and effective implementation of the Middle School Curriculum while ensuring vertical alignment with Lower and Upper Schools
• Design, schedule, and implement the Middle School curriculum in collaboration with the Middle School team
• Incorporate Middle School best practices and 21st century educational practices into the curriculum in alignment with the Lower and Upper Schools
• Oversees the assessment, record-keeping, and reporting related to students, ensuring that these inform ongoing curricular and instructional reviews
• Develops and schedules the intensive program and  Middle School X-block
• Teach a class

Communication 

• Build and maintain strong relationships with students, parents, and faculty
• Establishes and maintains effective communication between staff, students, and families
• Effectively communicates internally and externally, keeping all constituencies informed
• Liaises with outside organizations as needed

Managerial/Administrative Responsibilities

• Work with division heads to refine the Middle School schedule
• Schedule students for each school year
• Oversee the day-to-day operation of the Middle School
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor 
• Oversees the Middle School budget, approving the appropriate resources to deliver an exceptional curriculum while staying within budgetary guidelines
• Develops and oversees special events such as Haunted Hallways, Middle School advisory programs, and field trips, etc.

Skills and Qualities

• Ability to effectively direct, plan, implement, and evaluate academic programs
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to provide direction and support the personal growth of faculty and staff
• Have an understanding of child development, particularly grades 4-8
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with faculty, staff, parents, students, and outside agencies
• Ability to work collaboratively within a diverse environment
• Excellent time-management skills and ability to prioritize work
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to a high-intensity school environment
• Innovative problem-solving skills
• Exceptional executive-functioning skills
• Deep understanding and demonstrated integration of DEIB practices
• Commitment to and understanding of students of all learning styles

Credentials

• Master’s degree in education or a related field preferred 
• Minimum of five years of teaching experience, preferably in a Middle School (grades 4-8)
• Three years of demonstrated leadership in schools (preferably in an independent school)
• Previous administrative experience in a school
• Knowledge and implementation of Middle School (grades 4-8) best practices and 21st century educational practices

Faculty: Must be willing and able to secure an Ohio Permanent Non-Tax certificate or Professional Teaching license. The school will support you in obtaining this once hired. However, it must be secured within the first six months of employment for compliance purposes.

Background check: All Maumee Valley employees and volunteers must agree to a comprehensive background check and confidentiality agreement.

Equal Employment Opportunity: MVCDS is dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities to all personnel and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military status, veteran status, ancestry, or citizenship, in accordance with applicable laws. In addition, we comply with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. We value a diverse workforce.

Any employee who believes they have been discriminated against may discuss this with their supervisor or the Head of School.

HOW TO APPLY:

1. Complete this 8-10 minute survey:  https://go.apply.ci/s/E2UrzEp33W
2. Visit our jobs portal site and provide all the necessary documentation for this position.

About MVCDS

At Maumee Valley Country Day School, children dream, explore, and cultivate their passions and strengths. Our faculty and staff do the same. We are more than a school and more than a group of people—we are a community of lifelong learners who inspire joy. Established in 1884, Maumee Valley is the only PK-12 independent school in northwest Ohio, we support an accomplished and diverse student body within a progressive academic program. 

A Maumee Valley education is Personal, Experiential, and Global—it is a journey of discovery and of action that defines each child’s learning experience. Through an intentionally crafted curriculum including active lessons as well as serendipitous explorations, a Maumee Valley education launches children toward the investigation of the world and helps them find their place in it. With our students at the center of our decision-making, we aspire to seek understanding, grow in our compassion and empathy, and adapt to the ever-changing world our students will one day lead. Maumee Valley is grounded in our Mission, Vision, Portrait of an MV Educator, Portrait of an MV Graduate, and commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

We believe in collaboration, innovation, and the power of community.

• Master’s degree in education or a related field preferred 
• Minimum of five years of teaching experience, preferably in a Middle School (grades 4-8)
• Three years of demonstrated leadership in schools (preferably in an independent school)
• Previous administrative experience in a school
• Knowledge and implementation of Middle School (grades 4-8) best practices and 21st century educational practices

About Maumee Valley Country Day School

At Maumee Valley Country Day School, children dream, explore, and cultivate their passions and strengths. Our faculty and staff do the same. We are more than a school and more than a group of people—we are a community of lifelong learners who inspire joy. As the only PK-12 independent school in northwest Ohio, we support an accomplished and diverse student body within a progressive academic program. A Maumee Valley education is Personal, Experiential, and Global—it is a journey of discovery and of action that defines each child’s learning experience. Through an intentionally crafted curriculum including active lessons as well as serendipitous explorations, a Maumee Valley education launches children toward the investigation of the world and helps them find their place in it. With our students at the center of our decision-making, we aspire to seek understanding, grow in our compassion and empathy, and adapt to the ever-changing world our students will one day lead. Maumee Valley is grounded in our Mission, Vision, Portrait of an MV Educator, Portrait of an MV Graduate, and commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. We believe in collaboration, innovation, and the power of community.

Connections working at Maumee Valley Country Day School