Carolina Friends School
Durham, NC
Start Date: August 1, 2019
Durham Early School seeks a full time Head to lead a school community committed to developing a child-centered and mission-driven curriculum for children ages 3-6. Ours is an emergent curriculum through which children construct their understanding of the world by experimenting, playing, questioning, discussing and wondering. This ten month position will include working with an in-house staff of 4 teachers, approximately 24 children, their families, and Duke work study students as well as the leadership team at Carolina Friends School and the entire school community.
Driven by Carolina Friends School\’s Quaker mission and philosophy, the Head is a strong collaborator who guides and supports staff members in the development and implementation of curriculum. The Head understands the value of a strong partnership with families and works to enhance these partnerships with frequent communication and a visible presence at drop off and pick up times. As a member of the leadership team, the DES Head supports the Durham Early School’s relationship with the whole school community by participating in administrative meetings and collaborating with other CFS staff.
Responsibilities of the position include:
Supervise and support teaching staff, extended day staff, and college work study students
Collaborate with teachers to plan and develop curriculum
Build community among parents, teachers, and the School
Teach for approximately 3 1/2 hours in the afternoon
Conduct admission visits and interviews and make admission decisions in collaboration with the Director of Enrollment and the teaching staff
Supervise the maintenance and upkeep of the school building, including repair requests and the cleaning staff
Make budgetary decisions concerning staffing, activities, and classroom needs
Maintain a strong and collaborative relationship with the Durham Friends Meeting
Consult with fellow administrators of the School to further the mission and philosophy of Carolina Friends School
Deep knowledge and understanding of early childhood educational theories, practices, and approaches, particularly the Reggio Emilia approach, the democratic classroom, and social constructivism
A view of child development that encompasses intellectual, emotional, physical, and spiritual growth
Enthusiasm for working directly with young children, and a view of young children as competent and capable.
A Bachelor’s degree in Education or related field (required)
Supervisory experience
A proven record of success as a teacher and instructional leader of early school students
Strong intra/interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills
Strong communication skills reflecting intelligence and heart—writing and speaking with clarity and grace, editing well, and listening closely
The ability to respond to varied demands with integrity, energy, courage, creativity, resilience, flexibility, and humor
A focused and collaborative leadership style, skill at building relationships, shared decision-making, and resolution of problems in a manner aligned with Quaker process
An understanding of and strong affinity for Quaker philosophy and the School’s mission
A delight in getting to know students, parents, colleagues, trustees, and friends of CFS
Willingness to understand how power and inequality, influenced by factors such as race, class, gender, sexuality, and learning and/or physical disabilities impact our students, families, and colleagues
Thanks to endowment funds raised in the 2005-2008 Next Step Campaign, Carolina Friends School can maintain a strong commitment to competitive salary and benefits*, including the following (as of Fall 2016):
medical plan coverage (100% of employee-only premium paid by CFS)
cash-out waiver credit – for those who opt out of CFS medical coverage (stipend is taxable income)
health reimbursement account to reimburse most of the cost of medical plan deductible
flexible spending accounts for qualifying medical and dependent care expenses
dental and vision plan coverages (staff member paid, with reasonable pre-tax premiums)
accident insurance (staff member paid; reasonable pre-tax premiums)
generous paid-time off (winter break, spring break, holidays, and accrued leave)
life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance (CFS paid)
short- and long-term disability insurance (CFS paid)
retirement plan 403(b) with TIAA-CREF; includes CFS-paid matching contribution based on tenure
employee assistance program (counseling support for personal concerns)
partial tuition remission for up to two staff children (percentage based on tenure)
credit union membership opportunity
use of on-campus athletic facilities
extensive professional development opportunities
*Benefits eligibility based on percentage of full-time hours worked.
Interested candidates should submit, when possible in one complete PDF file, the following to jobopenings@cfsnc.org:
Cover Letter
Resume,
Statement of educational philosophy, and
Three letters of recommendation, including their names and contact information
Please complete all these documents into one complete packet and submit to jobopenings@cfscnc.org. Please indicate DES Head in the email subject line.
Under separate cover please ask each recommender to send a letter of reference directly to jobopenings@cfsnc.org and indicate DES Head in the subject line of the email. All letters of reference must be received in order for the application to be complete.
Review of resumes will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled, Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit materials by or before February 11, 2019.
CFS reserves the right to close the recruitment at any time; applicants are urged to submit their complete application as soon as practicable.
APPLICANTS: Please review the Who We Are, Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity, and Important Information for All Applicants sections on the CFS Employment Opportunities page (https://www.cfsnc.org/about-us/employment-opportunities/working-at-cfs)
CFS is an Equal Opportunity Employer in both policy and practice. Candidates from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
Carolina Friends School is a Quaker school with a main campus on 126 acres near Durham, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough, North Carolina and 2 offsite campuses (one in Durham by Duke University, and one in Chapel Hill by UNC)
Facilities include 14 classroom buildings; Lower and Middle/Upper School libraries; science, maker, and computer labs; a greenhouse; art and music studios; a performing arts center; two athletic buildings; spacious playgrounds and outdoor learning spaces; tennis courts; and baseball, soccer, and ultimate fields.
Carolina Friends School (CFS) includes three Early Schools for ages 3-6, a Lower School (equivalent to grades 1-4), a Middle School (equivalent to grades 5-8), and an Upper School (grades 9-12).
We are members of National, Southern, and North Carolina Associations of Independent Schools, National and Southern Associations for College Admissions Counseling, and Friends Council on Education. CFS is accredited by the Southern Association of Independent Schools and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
jobopenings@cfsnc.org
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