Assistant Head of School

To Apply
Email your resume and cover letter to ahosjob@anconaschool.org

About the Ancona School

The Ancona School (Ancona) is an independent school located in Chicago's historic Hyde Park Kenwood community, educating students 3 years old through 8th grade. Since our founding in 1962, Ancona has been dedicated to diversity in both our community and our curriculum, which draws upon the Montessori and Progressive Education models. Social justice education is the cornerstone of Ancona’s mission as a school; it informs what we teach and how we teach it. At every grade level, Ancona students learn to identify inequality and are empowered to address injustice in the world.

At Ancona, we seek diversity in our faculty and staff to broaden students’ academic experience and to enrich our school community. Ancona is looking for a leader who will contribute to our social justice mission and who embraces the rich diversity of our school and city as we prepare our students for an increasingly complex world. Candidates must be sensitive to the needs of, and possess an interest in, working in a school community that is diverse with regard to gender, race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and disability status.

School Mission

Ancona educates students to become creative problem solvers, confident risk-takers, and independent, lifelong learners. Rooted in the Montessori tradition, our child-centered school stimulates the joy of learning and builds a strong academic foundation. We inspire children to nourish their inner lives, find the power in their own voices, and strive for justice and peace. In a community of cultural, economic, and individual diversity, Ancona cultivates understanding, care, and respect for others.

About the Assistant Head of School Position

Ancona's Assistant Head will report to the Head of School and be responsible for the school’s multiple constituencies: faculty, parents, and students. Ancona’s Assistant Head of School will collaborate with the leadership team and have curricular and supervisory responsibilities as one of the school’s educational leaders.

The ideal candidate is an individual who is passionate about the school’s mission and vision; is respectful of Ancona’s tradition of teacher autonomy while proactive in ensuring outstanding teaching; and is committed to fostering relationships with and among Ancona's various stakeholders.

Summary/Objective

Leadership of a strong educational program that positively engages students as learners
- Collaborate with faculty to ensure that the school’s educational program is coherent across grade levels and aligned with the school’s mission
- Work with the faculty on comprehensive assessment systems to understand and support student learning and make learning visible to students and parents
- Participate in the development and coordination of the school's co-curricular, after school, and summer programs
- Oversee the teaching process and review and evaluate academic programs, staying current on research-based instructional strategies
- Assist teachers in matching appropriate assessment instruments to curriculum objectives and assure clarity in assessment, parent reporting, and academic standards

Development and support of faculty and staff
- Alongside other members of the leadership team, onboard new staff and design and run internal professional development
- Provide faculty coaching and mentorship to ensure teaching excellence and nurture teacher creativity, autonomy, and growth
- Facilitate collaboration among faculty; create regular opportunities for teachers to learn from and with one another, and to reflect upon and refine their teaching practices
- Work closely with the Head of School to address HR concerns and ensure Ancona is a desirable place to teach and work
- Prepare and participate in professional development, faculty work days, and weekly faculty meetings

Engaging parents as partners in their child’s education
- Ensure parent communication is prompt, productive, and well-documented, and be available and accessible to parents and families
- Speak knowledgeably and confidently about all aspects of the program
- Manage the high school counseling and transition process for families of 7th and 8th-grade students

Daily collaboration with the leadership team
- Partner with the leadership team on the operational execution and overall management of the school, and be well-versed and fluent in school policies
- Oversee day-to-day operations of the school in the Head of School's absence
- Assist with admissions and support the tuition assistance committee, while interfacing with parents to build community, answer questions, and resolve any concerns that may arise
- Develop the school's master class schedule, manage assessment schedules, daily scheduling of students, and yearly flex day calendar

Occasional and Ongoing Expectations

Lead staff meetings
Lead parent education
Participate in Board meetings, as requested
Participate in professional meetings outside of school
Prepare for and attend the school’s community activities such as open houses, observations, town hall meetings, and special events
Support fundraising initiatives
Partner with community-based organizations to enrich the curriculum

Reporting Relationships

Reports to the Head of School

Required Qualifications: Education and Experience

Master’s degree in Education
5 to 10 years of progressive experience in academic settings as a teacher, department head, and/or administrator
Experience leading, managing, and coordinating a broad range of academic functions in line with strategic objectives
Experience integrating social justice themes into a curriculum
Familiarity with the Macintosh platform, the Google suite of products, and Zoom

Requirements

CPR/First Aid certification (preferred)
Pass a background check
Have the physical capacity to work with children.
Keep up with professional development – 15 hours per school year

Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time, year-round position.

Salary

$80,000/year

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

EEO Statement

It is the policy of Ancona School not to discriminate against any employee or any applicant for employment because of age, race, religion, color, handicap, sex, physical condition, developmental disability, sexual orientation, or national origin. This policy shall include, but not be limited to, the following: recruitment and employment, promotion, demotion, transfer, compensation, selection for training including apprenticeship, layoff, and termination.

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Assistant Head of School

Affiliations

Independent Schools Association of the Central States

Affiliations

Lake Michigan Association of Independent Schools

Affiliations

National Association of Independent Schools

Affiliations

American Montessori Society