About San Luis Obispo Classical Academy

Highly desirable employees at SLO Classical Academy are those who are: passionate about classical education and children, committed to personal and professional growth and development, effective and loyal team players, creative thinkers, in full support of our core values, and interested in the health and growth of SLO Classical Academy.

Pay: $90,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year

Job description:

Position: Head of Lower School (Kinder-8th)

“THE TASK OF THE MODERN EDUCATOR IS NOT TO CUT DOWN JUNGLES, BUT TO IRRIGATE DESERTS.” —C.S. LEWIS

At SLO Classical Academy, we are in the business of irrigating deserts. And this vision of education is less about firehosing students with facts and more about sustainably and patiently digging up wells within students to awaken their own curiosity and excitement for learning. We take this task of joyful and playful education seriously, and we’re looking to expand our team to others who want to join us in this vision.

job summary + structure

As part of the executive leadership at SLO Classical Academy, the Head of Lower School (Kindergarten-8th grade) is responsible for ensuring that the Lower School delivers on its mission, promises, and initiatives by casting vision, developing the LS team, serving the students and their families, and building the culture.

• Exempt, full-time employee status, year-round
• Benefits and PTO (5 weeks)
• Reports to the Founder + Head of School
• Oversees the K-8th Lead Teachers and team, Enrichment Lead, 1st-6th Science Lead, Head Librarian, Curriculum Coordinator/process, and Community Life Manager.
• Serves on the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), EduLeads Team, Retention Team, and Disciplinary Team

qualifications

E D U C A T I O N + E X P E R I E N C E

• Graduate degree in related area or 10+ years experience as a classical educator
• Evidence of ongoing professional development as related to the position
• 5+ years of experience in classical education
• 6+ years of experience in educational leadership (administration, managing, program development)
• Experience with divergent learning and programs highly desired
• Experience supervising and mentoring direct reports
• Experience guiding the professional learning and development of educators

C O R E C O M P E T E N C I E S

• Willing to learn about and support the mission of SLO Classical Academy (to be a community that forges character, fosters wisdom, and nurtures a lifelong passion for learning!)
• Passionate about classical education
• Demonstrated experience tackling challenges creatively while maintaining grounding in classical practices
• Able to work under others but to take ownership of areas of responsibility
• Highly relational with a strong emotional and organizational IQ
• Proven experience moving team members towards personal and organizational objectives
• Proven ability to effectively work with students and parents
• Able to balance relational strength with results and performance goals
• Ability to galvanize a team and lead them to project completion on time, on budget
• Clear, concise communicator
• Never satisfied with the status quo—always seeking new ways to improve our product, delivery, relevancy, and value
• No reservations about tackling the unknown
• Support and uphold the school’s unique makeup as a non-sectarian and accessible to families from various backgrounds and beliefs

duties + responsibilities

P R O G R A M — V I S I O N , I M P L E M E N T A T I O N , + G R O W T H

• Serve on the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) to develop Lower School goals aligned with the organization's big-picture vision. Share in the management and direction of the school: strategy, planning, and financial stewardship.
• Develop, implement, and share the vision for our classical school and all we have created around it, as it relates to Lower School students and the greater community.
• Responsible for the development and implementation of our core classical education program and our Friday enrichment program for K-8th grade in line with our mission and vision.
• Support the Full-Time program and the Lead Teachers overseeing their levels; recommend and facilitate changes as approved by the Founder + Head of School.
• Utilize both foundational and creative means to deepen and expand our program.
• Take advantage of classical and other resources to grow professionally and to disseminate that knowledge and wisdom to the LS team.
• Oversee curriculum development, electives, and immersives.
• Work with the ELT to facilitate and grow enrollment.
• Partner with Admissions for community and potential family outreach and follow-up, recruitment, and retention, specifically with new LS students, as well as Preschool students at SLOCA.
• Work with LS staff and the retention team to support student retention, including individual outreach and family meetings.
• Build effective and efficient systems for the Lower School.
• Oversee relevant areas of accreditation as related to the Lower School.
• Maintain responsibility for the successful implementation of Spanish support.

P E O P L E — S T A F F D E V E L O P M E N T + G R O W T H

• Support, develop, and grow the Lead Teachers (Kinder-8th grade); through the Lead Teachers, the Head of LS is ultimately responsible for the support, development, and growth of all LS teachers and aides.
• Supports, develops, and grows the lead Librarian, Curriculum Coordinator, 1st-6th Science Lead, Community Life Manager, Enrichment Lead, and Learning Specialist (when hired).
• Partners with EduLeads to plan, implement, and participate in staff training and educationally related parent training.

P A R E N T + S T U D E N T C A R E

• Partner with teachers and the Community Life Manager for classroom management, student issues, and parent interactions.
• Be visible and interact relationally with students and parents to provide care and support and maximize impact on our community.
• Oversee the planning and execution of Monday-Thursday Morning Meetings.

E M B R A C I N G S L O C A ’ S M I S S I O N + P R O F E S S I O N A L G R O W T H

• Attend various school events, staff trainings, and team meetings.
• Read weekly staff and school email updates.
• Engage in professional development opportunities (Summer Reads, Beyond Great Books program, etc.).
• Adhere to all administrative directives and applicable SLOCA Policies, including those expressly outlined in the Teacher Field Guide and Employee Manual.

P H Y S I C A L D E M A N D S **

• Able to lift a minimum of 25 pounds on an occasional basis. Able to stand and move around for extended periods of time.

**The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.