Head of Junior and Middle School

Career Opportunity: Head of Junior and Middle SchoolThe Head of Junior and Middle School is a senior position and is accountable for the day to day implementation of the Junior and Middle School educational program, its leadership, management and organization for Grades 1-8.  The Head of Junior and Middle School is a member of the Ashwood Glen's Senior Management team comprising the Director and the Deputy Director. The successful applicant will be an expert practitioner in International Baccalaureate education, fully conversant with current curriculum practice and pastoral programs. A range of leadership skills will be required together with highly developed interpersonal skills and outstanding organisation, presentation and negotiation skills. Position Status While a permanent full time role at Ashwood Glen, the Head of Junior and Middle School position is a tenured position for three years. There is a teaching component of this role, approximate full time equivalent 0.2. We encourage our Academic Leadership to take up to 0.2 or 2 hours of teaching time to engage with students and model our teaching staff.  Major Duties and Responsibilities 1.  Educational Leadership·   Implements a high-quality, rigorous, and joyful IB PYP and MYP school program that is consistent with Ashwood Glen's mission and vision.·   Foster a positive and collaborative school culture that promotes inquiry-based learning, critical thinking and international-mindedness.·   Sets ambitious school goals for student achievement and performance and holds staff members accountable for achieving results.·   Develops, oversees, and continual evaluates and improves the school's instructional model and curriculum.·   Models high quality instruction and provides frequent coaching for instructional staff.·   Develops innovative programs within Junior and Middle school that focus on the centrality of student experience and the best possible outcomes for students' learning and wellbeing.·   Maintains an open-door policy that welcomes students, parents and staff to discuss those matters that are important to them. 2.  Legal compliance·   Assures the filing of all legal and regulatory documents and monitors compliance with relevant laws and regulations, including but not limited to the Ministry of Education, ONSIS and IBO. 3.  Mission, policy and planning·   Works with Senior Management to oversee the growth of the school to its full capacity.·   Develops, implements, and ensures adherence to the school's accountability plan.·   Keeps Senior Management fully informed on the condition of the school and all important factors influencing it.  4.  Management and administration·   Creates and sustains an environment of mutual respect, collaboration, high standards, safety, and support for learning.·   Provides general oversight of all Junior and Middle school activities, manages the day-to-day operation of the school, and develops a smoothly functioning, efficient organization through coordination with Senior Management, Head of Children House, staff and volunteers.·    Ensures that the teachers have the necessary resources and expertise to lead the school's educational program.·   Recruit, develop and retain high-quality educators dedicated to the principles of IB education.·   Provide professional development opportunities to enhance teacher effectiveness in IB PYP and MYP methodologies. 5.  Finance·    Works with Senior Management to develop and implement an annual operating budget based on tuition revenue. ·    Works with Senior Management to ensure financing to support short- and long-term goals. 6.  Teaching and Learning/Curriculum·     Develops a culture of improvement in teaching and learning by placing learning at the centre of strategic and operational planning. ·     Develops and implements a curriculum framework which maps the students learning journey from foundation years to Grade 8 at Ashwood Glen.·     Keeps abreast of emerging trends in education and asses their value for our students within the implemented framework·     Ensures that the Junior and Middle school curriculum is challenging, engaging , flexible and that it is supported by creative and responsive teaching and effective learning environments.·     Monitors students' outcomes (academic, engagement and wellbeing) to determine priority areas relating to teaching and learning.·     Implements effective learning and assessment frameworks that use data, benchmarks and observations to monitor student progress. ·     Records and reports on the development, progress and attainment of students.·     Promotes good student performance and challenges underperformance by promoting effective teacher intervention, corrective action and follow up. ·     Organizes non curricular events and ensures that they appear in the school calendar·     Organizes extracurricular academics activities (eg Math and Literacy challenge) 7.  Communication and Marketing·   Assists in the school's marketing initiatives to build enrollment.·   Creates and manages all communication sent to parents and staff, including weekly bulletins. ·   Organizes and attends school Open House, Parent Evenings and other events.·   Serves as the spokesperson for the Junior and Middle School; prepare and conduct presentations.·   Provide Academic Information for Marketing material. ·   Encourages the integration of the school within the community by using effective communication and public relations programs. 8.  New student enrolments and student transitions·   Play a vital role in the enrolment process and induction of new students; such as conduct tours and follow up communication.·   Conducts enrollment interviews and creates enrollment assessments.·   Reviews all new students files and ensures all records are maintained.·   Ensures that there are good systems of support and processes to assist all students with their transition between Children House and Junior and Middle School.  Qualification and Personal SpecificationTo qualify as a candidate, you must have:·   A passion for, and commitment to primary and junior years' education.·   Your successful and progressive tenure in an academic environment has provided you with an in-depth understanding of the operations of the school and of school life.·   Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree, or equivalent and either a graduate level degree or completed Level 1 and 2 of the Ontario Principal Qualifications.·   An Ontario Teacher's Certificate is preferred.·   Experience with the IB program, and specifically the Primary years Program will be a key differentiator in candidates.The ideal candidate for Head of Junior and Middle School:·   is self-reflective, self-aware, and has a 360° view of what's going on.·   inspires and motivates students and teachers.·   wants to create the best school in the city. ·   is always searching for a solution to the next problem.·   has extraordinary communication, interpersonal and partnership development skills.·   has the ability to problem solve to make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment.·   has confidence in what he or she is doing but the humility to know he or she can always do a better job.·   Displays excellent self-management skills.  Interested candidates please apply to hr@ashwoodglen.com