About Shady Hill School: 

Since 1915, Shady Hill, a school of approximately 530 students (PreK - 8) and 90+ faculty, has been a leader in progressive education. Shady Hill is a deeply mission-driven school. We seek to develop independent, joyful and curious learners who respect their own accomplishments and those of others. We strive to be a community whose values are strong and whose teachers are unafraid to engage students in important questions. The school’s program allows children to explore their worlds and test their powers. As a school with a historical and contemporary commitment to social justice, we believe that an inclusive and equitable community is an educational and moral imperative that empowers us all. Therefore, we seek to hire teachers who demonstrate a mindset and skill set that prioritizes cultural competence, equity, and justice in their practice with students and in their work with colleagues.

A hallmark of a Shady Hill education is the Central Subject methodology. Students in Grades 3-8 engage in an assigned Central Subject, an in-depth, integrated study of a particular time or people in history. The year-long study, which emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, the use of primary sources, understanding of multiple perspectives, acquisition of essential skills, and self-discovery, forms the core of our curriculum. ”Gradeheads” (lead teachers) are both humanities teachers and advisors, supporting the academic and social-emotional experience for their 14-18 students. They are responsible for developing content and implementing instruction in the humanities, with the support of faculty in other disciplines to integrate the curriculum. 

Shady Hill School is also a teacher training institution. Its long-standing Teacher Training Center (TTC), which brings apprentice teachers to campus each year, prepares talented people for careers in education and allows each faculty member the opportunity to be a mentor and meaningful contributor to the teaching field. Because of the school’s commitment to teacher training, the school seeks teachers with certification or a demonstrated interest in working towards certification when hired by Shady Hill School.

About the position: 

Shady Hill School is seeking an experienced educator to join our team as the Assistant Director of the Lower School for the 2025-2026 school year. During this one-year position, the Assistant Director of the Lower School will be a member of the administrative team and will focus their time on supporting the Lower School Division Head, members of the Student Support Team and faculty in the Lower School as we continue to support, review, and enhance our program. This is a 1-year, full-time, in-person, exempt (salaried) 10.5 -month position for the 2025-2026 school year.

Primary Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work directly with the Lower School Division Head to build systems and policies that support Lower School teachers, serve students, boost morale and make the division work effectively.
• Build systems and structures to support the experience of pre-K - 4th grade students, families and teachers (skills/assessments, curriculum review, field trips, Flex Week, etc.)
• Serve as a main thought partner for the Division Head regarding strengthening our grading and assessment system, problem solving recess concerns, and facilitating meetings regarding student concerns.  
• Conduct goal setting meetings and classroom observations to be documented in Folio. Provide coaching and evaluative feedback as part of our Faculty Review Program and Professional Development. 
• Research and guide best practices for the co-teaching model. 
• Partner with the Director of Professional Development & Faculty Support to onboard new faculty. 
• During hiring season, work closely with the Division Head to review resumes, interview candidates, and design finalist visits. 
• Work alongside the Division Head, Admissions, and other departments to promote the SHS mission and the program of the Lower School to current and prospective families. 
• During report seasons, edit reports with the Division Head with an eye toward thoughtful, clear feedback for families.  
• Partner with the Learning Resources Department and grade level teachers in order to support students’ learning needs. 
• Partner with the Division Head, Director of Student Life, Lower School Psychologist and Equity Office to support students’ behavioral and social emotional needs. 
• When concerns arise, support faculty members in family meetings.
• Take the lead on responding to family concerns as delegated by the Division Head.
• Work with the Division Head and other colleagues to create content for divisional assemblies, all school assemblies, and faculty meetings. 
• Lead the development of new programs, such as Lower School clubs, 4th grade leadership opportunities, recess programs, Lower School newspaper, etc. 

In addition, the Assistant Director of the Lower School will share in responsibilities associated with the position or with membership on the administrative team, supervision of student activities, participating in special events and outreach programs, as well as lunch and recess supervision. The Assistant Director of the Lower School is also expected to attend opening and closing meetings (August/September and June) and other meetings as scheduled and to serve on committees as needed.

Qualifications: 

• Well-versed in lower school best practices around pedagogy and assessment
• Demonstrated experience with curriculum design, review, and implementation
• Experience managing complex and multi-step projects 
• Experience facilitating adult learning and growth 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills 
• In addition to a deep love for lower school students, a similar deep love for mentoring and working closely with adults
• Experience supervising adults and fostering a culture of feedback
• Familiarity with best practices in elementary education and child development
• Demonstrated ability to balance the need for attention to detail while seeing the big picture 
• Experience recruiting, hiring, supporting, retaining, and leading talented, diverse groups of educators
• Experience with multicultural, anti-bias, and anti-racist teaching strategies and materials that reflect cultural competence

How to Apply:?

Please submit a cover letter and resume to apply@shs.org by May 29, 2025. Please be sure to include “Assistant Director of Lower School” in the subject line of the email. 

Application Deadline: May 29, 2025

Shady Hill offers competitive salaries and a generous benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance plans, a school-matched retirement plan and paid time off. Shady Hill is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Employees must be authorized to work in the United States. For a description of the school, refer to: www.shs.org.

About Shady Hill School

For over 100 years, Shady Hill has been a leader in progressive elementary and middle school education and teacher training. The year-long central subject study, which emphasizes strong content, the use of primary sources, acquisition of essential skills, and self-discovery, forms the core of our curriculum. As a diverse school, we believe that a varied and inclusive community is an educational and moral imperative that empowers us all. Therefore, we seek to hire faculty and staff who share our vision. We offer a dynamic and supportive work environment, competitive salaries and a generous benefits package. Shady Hill is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. For more information on Shady Hill please visit us at www.shs.org. Shady Hill offers competitive salaries and a generous benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance plans, a school-matched retirement plan and paid time off.

Connections working at Shady Hill School