Job Title:

Head of Middle School, Full-time, SalariedDepartment:

AdministrationReports to:

Interim Head of SchoolFriends Community School (FCS), founded in 1986, is a progressive, co-ed Quaker K-8 day school serving a diverse student body from the greater Washington, D.C. area. FCS s LEED-certified building is situated on 17 acres surrounded by Greenbelt National Park, nine minutes from the University of Maryland, College Park, and thirty minutes from Washington, D.C.

Educators at FCS nurture lifelong learners, courageous risk takers, and joyous peacemakers through the expression of our commitments to Quakerism, Progressive Education, equity, and inclusion. Our progressive pedagogical approach emphasizes depth over breadth, creativity and innovation over memorization, and hands-on collaborative projects over rote schoolwork. Our curriculum engages students in the exploration of values rooted in our Quaker Heritage simplicity, peaceful conflict resolution, integrity, community, equality/equity, and stewardship from a range of perspectives.Job SummaryThe Head of the Middle School has significant responsibilities for shaping the direction of educational programs for grades 5-8. Within the Middle School, the Head oversees curriculum development and review; coaches, supervises, and evaluates teachers; communicates with and among Middle School teachers, students, and families; schedules the academic day and activities; and contributes to the school s admissions goals. The Head of the Middle School is a member of the Administrative Team and reports directly to the Interim Head of School.

Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesActs as the educational leader of the Middle School and is responsible for its day-to-day operationParticipates in all administrative meetings in support of Middle School teachers and students, and in support of the school s mission overallContributes to Student Support Committee meetingsManages the budget for the Middle SchoolCoordinates the daily schedule with the Head of the Lower SchoolDevelops vision for Middle School curriculum and instructionRepresents Middle School in curriculum committee conversations and decisions in all academic areas, working closely with Curriculum CoordinatorsSupports, supervises, and evaluates all academic and co-curricular teachers who teach in the Middle SchoolMaintains records of performance evaluations of teachersEncourages and supervises Middle School teachers professional developmentCompletes and maintains all Blackbaud tasks related to the Middle School including enrollment in classes, scheduling, and progress reportsConducts levels and division meetings in the manner of FriendsProduces Middle School student, teacher, and co-curricular teaching schedules and other schedules that contribute to the smooth operation of the Middle SchoolProduces a regular overview of activities and curriculum for Middle School parentsReviews and edits as necessary all progress reports for Middle SchoolCoordinates with the Head of School, staff, parents, and secondary schools to place FCS graduates into appropriate high schoolsSpeaks for the Middle School; writes a bi-weekly newsletter to Middle School parentsOrchestrates 8 th

grade graduation including rehearsals, and receptionCollaborates with Lower School Head and Learning Specialists to determine placement for rising 5 th

grade studentCommunicates directly with parents on serious disciplinary issuesRepresents the Middle School in the admissions processWorks in partnership with all members of the teaching team and the administrationCommunicates proactively and responsively with individual familiesCompletes all progress reports and student recommendations in a professional and timely manner, emphasizing the individual strengths and challenges for each studentWrites letters of recommendation, particularly for 8th-grade students applying to high school programsRepresents FCS at hiring fairs and works with Head of School in hiring Middle School facultyContinuously integrates the school s commitment to Quakerism, Progressive Education, and Equity in your classroomParticipates in weekly staff meetingsEngages in continuous, ongoing professional development as necessaryCollaborates with colleagues in professional learning communitiesPartners with the Head of the Lower School to facilitate cross divisional peer-to-peer relationships among middle and lower school studentsOther duties as assignedQualifications Desired and/or Required

Genuine love for children, especially middle schoolersBachelor s degree (required), Advanced degree (preferred)Strong background as a middle school teacherMinimum of three years of administrative experience (division headship preferred)Understanding of child developmentCommitment to Progressive Education and to equity and inclusionAffinity with Quaker beliefs and practicesExcellent oral and written communication skillsAbility to collaborate with coworkers and other school community membersCommitment to DiversityFCS is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive educational community and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or a person's status as a qualified candidate with a disability in administration of its educational program, admission policies, financial aid program, staff hiring, and other school-administered programs.In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, we actively seek faculty and staff of varied backgrounds and encourage them to share their unique gifts to cultivate a rich educational experience. We strive to create a learning environment that exposes students to the value and breadth of differences, informs their perspective, and prepares them to shape the world.Please send a cover letter, r sum , educational philosophy, and the names and contact information of three professional references to ...@friendscommunityschool.org .

Located in College Park, MD, Friends Community School is a progressive Quaker K-8 day school, founded on the belief that every child is a valued member of our community. We offer a challenging curriculum imbued with strong values of equality, integrity, community, environmental stewardship, simplicity and peaceful conflict resolution, rooted in our Quaker heritage.Friends Community School5901 Westchester Park DriveCollege Park, Maryland 20740301-###-####

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