Head of Middle Scool

The Opportunity

Mount Tamalpais School (MTS), a K-8 independent school serving up to 240 students in Mill Valley, California, is looking for an outstanding Head of Middle School.  This administrator will have the opportunity to work with dedicated colleagues and a dynamic leadership team to further develop the program and people that work with the School’s sixth through eighth-grade students.  

Our mission calls on us to offer a “vigorous, creative and process-driven” program that develops “knowledge and goodness” while being “inspiring and nurturing” in our work as educators.  The Head of Middle School is charged with instilling these ideals in our sixth through eighth-grade students. Furthermore, the Head of Middle School will work with the Head of School, Middle School faculty, and administrative team to write and enact our next Strategic Plan.

With a growth-oriented faculty, a warm and positive student and parent community, and a bright future, MTS is at an exciting place in 2020.  A Middle School leader who wants to further develop our program and help students and families realize the amazing potential of the middle school years will thrive at MTS.

Overview of the Position

The Head of Middle School is responsible for the overall development and management of the sixth through eighth-grade program, including curriculum, discipline, parent education, and supervision and mentoring of approximately fifteen faculty members. Reporting to the Head of School and working closely with the Head of Lower School, the Head of Middle School is a member of the senior administrative team and participates in strategic planning and high-level decision-making.

Essential Functions

Program Management

• Students:  Know and be recognized by students as responsible for the sixth through eighth grades. Consult with teachers on student issues.  Read, interpret, and utilize student report forms and standardized test results. Track students of concern and attend related parent-teacher conferences.  Partner with Student Support Team. Counsel and discipline students. When appropriate, develop and refine admissions criteria, behavioral standards, and assessment tools.  Make recommendations to the Head of School on major decisions in admissions and discipline. 
• Parents:  Develop and maintain systems for two-way parent communication. Educate parents about program and curriculum. Field ideas and concerns. Assist teachers in positive parent relations.  
• Educational Program:  Lead faculty in the development and planning of sixth through eighth-grade program. Manage and supervise the sixth through eighth grade grade daily program. Organize and/or facilitate Middle School faculty meetings.

Leadership and Management Responsibilities

• Participate as a member of the Administrative Team and Academic Leadership Team, and in that capacity share in the leadership of the school and in the direction of new and emerging issues.
• Work closely with the Head of School and the Head of Lower School in making school-wide decisions.
• Support teachers in management of student, parent, and curricular issues. Act as a liaison between teachers and larger Administrative Team. Advise teachers on behavioral plans and challenging situations. Attend meetings and join calls with parents as needed.
• Lead and coordinate the faculty hiring efforts related to Middle School and occasionally participate in other hiring efforts. Supervise and evaluate teachers. Work with Head of School in teacher probationary, disciplinary, and termination situations.
• Perform other duties as may be determined in conjunction with the Head of School.

Overall School Programs

• Collaborate on the vision for, and development of, school programs.
• Collaborate with the Head of Lower School in the creation of the master schedule for the school program. Help coordinate elementary-middle-high school coherence.  
• Partner with Head of School, Head of Lower School, and faculty leaders to strengthen the diversity, equity, and inclusion of the MTS community.
• Co-plan the program and faculty leadership structure. Co-plan the all-faculty and all-staff meetings.
• Partner with Middle School learning specialist and school counselor to facilitate learning services and counseling services. 
• Supervise enrichment teachers who teach both lower and middle school.
• Coordinate substitute teachers.

Faculty Professional Development

• Coordinate the development and implementation of professional growth and development programs for the faculty, including administrative understanding of teacher strengths and areas for improvement, positive feedback, opportunities for individual and collaborative professional development, goal setting and assessment.
• Build an atmosphere of constructive and ongoing dialogue about best practices in teaching and learning, continuous learning, grade level and interdisciplinary collaboration among the faculty.

Curriculum Development and Management

• Lead teachers and students in development of more robust diversity, equity, and inclusion program with a focus on cultural competency.
• Along with the Head of Lower School, lead the faculty in the assessment and development of the curriculum. Develop curriculum standards, grade level competency expectations, and scope and sequence outlines. Assure the documentation and ongoing development of curriculum. Manage and assess implementation.

Instruction

• Teach a class that allows Head of Middle School to remain connected with students.
• Oversee advising and wellness program.

Position Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s Degree in a field appropriate for this position is preferred.
• Experience working with early adolescent students.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
  • Possesses strong knowledge of adolescence and middle school academic programs, teaching methods and current practices.
  • Enjoys working with eleven through fourteen year olds, connecting authentically with students, families, and faculty.
  • Is committed to and has engaged in the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Demonstrates a commitment to development of relevant professional knowledge, skills, and abilities.
  • Participates as a team player who can discern when to lead or to follow.
  • Demonstrates excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Presents an outgoing and optimistic attitude, with well-developed interpersonal skills.

To Further Pursue

• Email a resume and cover letter to jobs@mttam.org
• Search Timeline:
  • February-March: Initial Candidate Screening
  • March: Semi-finalist and finalist interview
  • March-April: Appointment
  • July 1, 2020: Position begins