Since the founding of The Valley School 25 years ago this is the first time that the school has sought a head of school from outside its community. During the first 20 years the school was headed by its founder, Pat Overy. Sixteen years ago Barry Wright was hired to implement the fourth and fifth grade program and later became assistant director. When Pat retired in 2004 Barry became the head of school. Pat continues to work at the school in a consulting role and tutors beginning readers.
Educational
As a founding principle the school understands that while society’s expectations will change, the basic needs of children remain the same. Demands placed on children to perform academically at earlier and earlier ages are not only inappropriate but have no correlation to later academic success. Valley honors the proven developmental stages of childhood and does not impose superficially accelerated academic expectations on young children. The next head of school is expected to build on this founding principle by always honoring the developmental stages of childhood while at the same time adjusting the curriculum to accommodate changing social expectations and needs.
The next head of school needs to be an educational leader and visionary, someone who will work with teachers in the class room, foster their professional development and improve their understanding of the founding principles of the school.
Strategic
In support of its mission the school keeps its tuition modest relative to its peer schools. We strive to make the school accessible to middle and low income families and offer financial aid to about 15% of the student body. The school runs its entire budget, including aid, with funds generated from regular operations. The next head of school is expected to maintain this budgeting strategy in order to keep the school accessible to a diversity of families.
Fortunately the school has very supportive parents who have been generous with donations and who manage most of the fundraising efforts for the school. With clearly articulated goals, parents have often met campus improvement challenges with great enthusiasm and financial support.
Administrative
At this relatively small institution, the leadership has opted for a trim administrative staff to maintain the school’s fiscal health and to avoid hierarchies. The majority of expenditures is for teacher salaries and programs. Many administrative functions that can be delegated in a larger school must be handled more directly by our head of school.
The Valley School is debt free. It owns its campus buildings and grounds and is in the early stages of endowment building for financial aid. As a visionary leader the next head of school is expected to continue the tradition of fiscally responsible management, to continue development of the educational program and be instrumental in fund raising to support those efforts.
Qualifications
The Valley School is seeking a new head of school who will join the school community to enthusiastically build upon the solid foundation and strong vision that are already in place. This new head of school needs to value and support the child-oriented mission of the school and be eager to work collaboratively with teachers, students, parents and the board.
This position has the following basic qualifications:
- teaching background at elementary and pre-primary levels preferred as well as administrative experience at this level
- knowledge of child developmental psychology as well as learning differences and styles, and types of intelligence (Jean Piaget, Howard Gardner, etc.)
- liberal arts degree and/or advanced degree in education (or equivalent) desired
- commitment to carrying forward the founding principles of the school into the future
As an educator the next head of school will be:
- a visionary leader who is truly committed to child-centered education.
- experienced at creating exciting and challenging yet developmentally appropriate curriculum.
- experienced and committed to educating a diverse group of learners.
- committed to working with a culturally diverse population.
- intellectually curious and able to inspire both students and staff with that curiosity.
- committed to knowing every member of the school community and dedicated to tracking the progress of each student enrolled at the school.
- skillful in both written and oral communication.
- comfortable working with teachers in the classroom.
- committed to the professional development of the teaching staff.
- eager to develop in students the capacity and skills to succeed in life, academics and in our community as citizens.
As an administrator the next head of school will be:
- able to recruit, inspire and supervise good teachers.
- well organized and with strong planning skills.
- able to set priorities and adhere to them.
- skilled with a strong management and administrative record.
- able to communicate well with the various school populations.
- able to remain composed and problem solve effectively in the face of the unexpected.
- comfortable with modern technology and knowledgeable in its appropriate application in a school environment.
- able to direct fund raising efforts.
- responsible for the annual budget.
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