Director of Education
Mission: Mountain Song Community School, as a member of the Alliance for Public Waldorf Education, is a public charter school that utilizes developmentally appropriate holistic education to nurture the body, mind, and heart of each student.
Position Summary
The Director of Education works in partnership with the Director of Student Services and the Director of Operations/Development to form the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), which is accountable to the Mountain Song Community School Board of Directors for all aspects of school performance and for carrying out these responsibilities in a manner consistent with the school’s mission and vision. The ELT has overall responsibility for the administration, functioning, financial management, instructional quality, and strategic planning of the school. The Director of Education shares the vision of working as a servant leader, creating an environment of stability in a rhythmic, balanced, and healthful way so that the school is fully able to fulfill its mission and each member of the team is able to contribute fully to the vision. The Director of Education has primary responsibility for academic program supervision, teacher standards, community relations, parent relations, and student discipline.
Reports To Mountain Song Community School (MSCS) Board of Directors (“the Board”)
Position Status Full time- Exempt
Salary: $65,000-75,000
Essential Duties
Academic and Faculty Operations
- Oversee and supervise the development and implementation of academic programs, curriculum standards, and teacher standards.
- Supervise Pedagogical Advisor, Pedagogical Teacher Mentors, Educational Data Systems Manager, Teachers, Student Wellness Specialist, Homeschool Teachers,and Teacher Assistants
- Perform faculty observations, prepare and deliver faculty evaluations, develop and supervise faculty improvement plans and professional development programs in accordance with established policies
- Lead and coordinate MSCS faculty meetings in collaboration with the Director of Student Services and the TLC.
- Lead and coordinate MSCS faculty professional development trainings.
- Lead development of, implement, and supervise student behavior and discipline program
- Lead, foster and improve Parent/Teacher/Student Relations
- Coordinate and supervise response to parent concerns
- Ensure the maintenance of student information databases and files according to best practices; prepares and generates reports including student report cards
- Ensure the transference and tracking of student data to other school districts, schools, and entities requiring student records;
- Ensure appropriate communication with other schools and parents regarding student records as applicable
- Participate in Teacher Leadership Council Meetings with the Director of Student Services
- Cultivate faculty leadership and opportunities for growth.
- Work closely with the Director of Operations and the Business manager regarding budgets
- Work with Business Manager regarding the ordering of supplies, curriculum, technology, etc. for each program
- Work with the Pedagogical Advisor to explore opportunities for programs to align with Waldorf Pedagogy as much as possible
- Collaborate with the Business Manager regarding daily staffing
Community Relations
- Represent MSCS in community and professional meetings, and to state and federal agencies to create a positive public image that maintains an open flow of communication and promotes retention and new enrollment
- Develop and maintain effective communication systems within the school community and build positive relationships with parents to address questions and concerns; direct parents to appropriate individuals or bodies where necessary
- Attend and advise at Parent Circle meetings, maintain positive working relationship with parent groups
Other
- Participate in Fundraising Committee efforts to include grant writing as appropriate
- Participate in Finance Committee efforts
- Participate in Family Engagement Committee (FEC) effort
Duties Shared with Executive Leadership Team
Leadership
- Model positive leadership by possessing and demonstrating a moral and ethical compass that sets a correct tone for the rest of the MSCS community
- Demonstrate a passion for Waldorf education as well as the needs of all students
- Inspire and build a shared vision for operational excellence
- Enable staff, students, families and others to act in positive and productive ways
- Encourage and support staff, families, students, and others as they contribute to the mission of the school
- Communicate effectively and positively in both written and oral forms with the Board, parents, faculty, administrative staff and the community
- Understand the charter school system
- Attend and participate in MSCS Board Meetings as an ex-officio member
Oversight of Legal Issues
- Maintain knowledge of state policies, regulations, laws and licensing requirements that apply to charter schools; apply that knowledge to ensure compliance
- Oversees and implements protocols and processes for benefits and compensation, recruiting, hiring, retention, and dismissal of all personnel
- Ensure legal basis for all school policies and administrative actions
- Oversee coherent policy of student conduct, special needs requirements, and supervision
Other Areas
- Collaborates with the Board of Directors to identify and create MSCS policies and procedures which adhere to applicable laws, ensure smooth and efficient operation of the school, and are based on current best practices with consideration of all stakeholders’ interests
- Collaborate with the Executive Committee for the crafting of Board meeting agendas
- Supports the Board-led Development Process
- Communicates and collaborates with CSI, to include delivering reports as required and coordination in respective areas
- Oversees and manages periodic charter review and renewal process in collaboration with the Board
- Formulates and executes accreditation documents in conjunction with the Board
- Monitors and improves student attendance in collaboration with the Director of Operations/Development
- Prepares and delivers reports to the Board, MSCS staff, and MSCS community as required
- Conducts strategic planning in collaboration with the Board
- Conducts capital planning in collaboration with Board
- Designs a budget in collaboration with the Board which ensures short term school effectiveness and long term financial viability, to include the 5-year budget
- Works collaboratively with the Board of Directors, faculty, Family Engagement Committee (FEC), and Parent Council
- Share leadership and coordination of MSCS staff meetings; participates in regular staff development meetings and make content-appropriate presentations as needed
- Participates in committees as necessary
- Performs duties as assigned for emergency procedures
Other Position Requirements
This is a twelve-month position that may require more than 40 hours per week, on an at-will employment basis. Expected to attend staff and board meetings, and any applicable off-campus meetings or training during or beyond the regular school day. Local travel (including occasional trips to Denver) will be required to meet with Colorado Charter Schools Institute, regional business manager meetings and other business personnel and community leaders. In addition to the outlined job description, will perform other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- Commitment to public Waldorf education
- Ability to work effectively and collaboratively as a co-equal team member of the Executive Leadership Team
- Bachelor of Arts in related field
- Minimum of 5 years of experience working with students and staff in Special Education
- Preferred experience working with the following special programs: Section 504, Gifted Education, English Language, and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support including Reading or Math Intervention
- Proficient in employee management, specifically employee evaluations and supervision
- Knowledge of standard administrative practices and procedures
- Proficient written and oral communication skills
- Ability to work collaboratively with community groups, private and public agencies, parents, and the general public
- Demonstrated experience analyzing processes, identifying gaps and recommending solutions
- Ability to bring projects to completion
- Ability to multitask
- Detailed and effective organizational skills
- Accurately, neatly, and effectively prepares and presents data
- Proven excellent customer service skills
- Ability to articulate the school’s mission and vision
- Willingness to listen to constructive criticism and utilize it for personal and professional growth
Physical Demands and Work Environment
The physical abilities described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear, is required to stand, walk, sit, use hands and fingers, and is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Frequently is required to work with computer keyboard, monitor, and other visual technology; and work may include personal contact with children who may be seated on the floor or at low tables. The employee must occasionally lift and move up to 50 pounds. Close vision is required for detailed work. Required work will take place outside and in a classroom and will occasionally be noisy. Working with youth may require exposure to bacterial contamination.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $65,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
Ability to Relocate:
- Colorado Springs, CO 80904: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person