Posted: Dec 23, 2024
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Head of Middle School

The Foote School - New Haven, CT
Full-time
Salary: $115,000.00 - $155,000.00 Annually
Application Deadline: N/A
Middle School

Head of Middle School -  The Foote School seeks a creative, collaborative, experienced, and forward-thinking leader to develop and implement effective strategies consistent with Foote’s mission to empower children to lead with courage, compassion, and purpose. Reporting to the Head of School, the Head of MS will be the academic and administrative leader for an experienced, joyful, and cohesive faculty and an engaged, diverse student body in Grades 6–9. 

The Foote School is a thriving, highly regarded independent day school located in New Haven, CT that educates 440 students in Kindergarten through 9th Grade. The Foote School has had a long-standing commitment to excellence in academics through experiential learning. Foote is fortunate to have passionate, dedicated, and high-quality faculty and staff. The culture of the Foote School is characterized by engagement and joy in learning and a mature commitment to the value of being a diverse and inclusive community. Discovery, authenticity, and community are School values that support the vision to inspire the next generation to change the world. The School’s motto is: “Gladly will I learn and gladly teach.” 

MIDDLE SCHOOL - In Foote’s Middle School, students are afforded independence and responsibility. Teachers are deeply interested in working with each student to bring out the passions and talents that will allow them to succeed in secondary school and beyond. The program in each grade from 6 - 9 is designed to challenge students during that specific stage of their development, and it ties into a larger curricular arc that supports their academic and emotional growth and prepares them for high school. Advisory time at the beginning and end of each day helps students learn to balance their many responsibilities. The faculty are specialists in developing the skills and attitudes that support adolescents to thrive in school and life. 

Interscholastic athletics at Foote emphasizes teamwork, skill-building, sportsmanship, confidence, and perseverance. While optional, most students play at least one season each year. 

Ninth grade is the capstone year of the Foote experience. It affords students a series of exceptional leadership opportunities for academic and personal growth and enables them to enter high school with greater confidence and academic readiness than many of their peers. Without a doubt, the highlight of this special year is the exchange program with a school in China. Foote students host their counterparts in the fall and take a two-week trip to China in the spring. 

HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL - The Head of MS will report to the Head of School. The Head of MS is expected to have experience in educational leadership and should hold strong educational credentials with an advanced degree in a relevant field.

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES - As the Foote School continues to grow and evolve, the new Head of MS will have the opportunity to address the following priorities within the school:

  • Collaborate closely with the Head of School to support The Foote School’s mission, which promotes excellence in teaching and learning consistent with an outstanding independent school where students love to learn. The next Head of MS will continue to strengthen Foote’s long-standing commitment to excellence in academics by supporting a dynamic, healthy, and engaging curriculum that leverages the resources available through the School’s unique location in New Haven and adjacent to Yale University. The next Head of MS will champion innovation and introduce new programs that advance The Foote School’s ability to provide an outstanding education to its students. 
  • Collaborate with the Head of School and Head of Lower School to build trust between the administration and faculty to provide a caring learning environment for the students. The next Head of MS will promote a culture of transparency and work to establish coherent, consistent decision-making while prioritizing transparency and appropriate feedback to all constituencies. The next Head of MS will support faculty in their vocation with the essential work they do with the parents of Foote students. 
  • Strengthen & implement a constructive, collaborative, and meaningful faculty assessment system consistent with Foote’s commitment to excellence in education and joyful learning.  
  • While respecting Foote’s traditions, assess Foote’s current academic program and advance its opportunities around innovation by developing new programs to address the changing needs of its students. The Head of MS will oversee curriculum development and departmental budgeting by leading the Department Chairs and coordinating with the Head of LS to enhance the continuity of the student experience moving through the School’s two divisions. 
  • Strengthen Foote’s wonderfully diverse, inclusive, positive, and supportive climate even further. The new Head of MS will promote student wellness and inclusivity across the curriculum and develop new models for engaging with the surrounding community as an integral part of its educational model. One way this will be done is by leveraging the New Haven community and its diversity and resources. 
  • The next Head of MS will lead the implementation of key initiatives in the Middle School outlined in Foote’s strategic plan, focusing on wellness for all community members, fostering purposeful partnerships with community organizations, and enhancing the school’s reputation for experiential learning. This includes recruiting, hiring, and retaining educators who exemplify excellence and innovation. Respecting Foote’s rich traditions, the Head of MS will assess and advance the academic program by introducing innovative opportunities that address the evolving needs of students. 

DESIRED QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS - Given The Foote School’s distinctive focus and mission, the Head of MS must possess an appreciation for inquiry-based student-centered learning, a willingness to collaborate, and a positive outlook. The next Head of MS must have a genuine passion for working with children and supporting a mission of providing educational opportunities that treat each student as an individual. In addition to being an imaginative and collegial leader, the ideal candidate will also bring many of the following qualities, skills, and experiences to the role: 

  • A demonstrated track record of leading collaboratively in an elementary and/or middle school with a mission and population similar to The Foote School. 
  • Teaching experience, preferably at different age levels; 
  • An advanced degree in a relevant field; 
  • A teacher at heart with energy and enthusiasm to work with middle-school-age students; 
  • A successful track record of curriculum planning and student assessment; 
  • A strong foundation in community wellness (social-emotional learning, diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging work); 
  • Experience hiring, evaluating, and mentoring faculty; 
  • The ability to thrive in a collaborative environment and enjoy working with teams; 
  • The ability to appreciate the opportunities and challenges of working at an independent school in New Haven;
  • Intellectual nimbleness, resourcefulness, entrepreneurship, and adaptability; and 
  • Strong communication skills and a good sense of humor. 

For complete description & to submit required materials, please see this link: https://www.footeschool.org/about-us/employment