Skip to main content

This job has expired

Director

Employer
American Montessori Society Inc
Location
Dallas, Texas, US
Salary
Competitive
Closing date
Nov 29, 2022

View more

Sector
Academic / Research, Nonprofit
Field
Conservation science
Discipline
Modeling
Salary Type
Salary
Employment Type
Full time
Head of School

White Rock Montessori

Dallas, Texas

Start Date: Summer 2023

White Rock Montessori (WRM) is seeking a qualified candidate for its Director position beginning in the summer of 2023.

Nestled beside a creek on heavily wooded, exquisite 4.5 acres in East Dallas, White Rock Montessori serves 175 students, in 7 classrooms, ages 18 months through 8th grade. Two academic buildings house spacious well-equipped Montessori environments with vaulted ceilings and with extensive outdoor environments. Students care for goats and chickens, garden and explore in a Discovery Garden.

A tenured, passionate, and highly-trained staff of Montessori educators serve the children of White Rock, with two credentialed Montessori educators in each of the environments. The school is supported by an invested, caring not-for-profit board, and an operating budget of over 2.5 million dollars with ample reserves. Financial aid is a high priority for the WRM Board and school community as they prioritize increasing accessibility and student diversity.

The school opened in 1975 with 12 students (grades 1-3) in space rented from the Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan near White Rock Lake in East Dallas.By 1994, the school had expanded so much that a parent task force was formed to secure land in order to build a specially designed school. Land was subsequently purchased from the parents and a capital campaign was begun to raise the necessary funds to begin building.

Parents, staff, and administration began designing a facility that would support the school's mission. They envisioned an inspiring building, full of abundant natural light with outdoor extensions of the classrooms. The vision became a reality when WRM moved into their new building on September 8, 1998. The Middle School building was completed in 2020, in a location adjacent to the main building with aesthetics and appeal for the adolescent community.This achievement was the culmination of a 25-year dream to host the Middle School community in a separate building on the same campus as the lower school.

White Rock Montessori's commitment to quality education is evidenced in its excellent reputation and its adherence to standards set by the American Montessori Society as a school on the pathway to school accreditation. It is also affiliated with the National Association of Independent Schools. White Rock has remained true to its vision of providing a school culture where the development of the whole child matters, and where students cultivate independent thinking and a true love of learning.

Vision and Mission

Vision: Where every child discovers the highest version of themselves.

Mission: WRM is dedicated to providing a challenging educational environment in which each child is empowered to grow to their fullest potential academically, emotionally, physically, and socially, at each stage of development. Following the principles and methods of Dr. Maria Montessori, WRM provides a consistent framework for learning through the dynamic partnership of child, parent, and teacher. WRM strives to instill in students a deep sense of personal and social responsibility through respect for oneself, others, and the environment.

There is a strong emphasis on diversity, advocacy, and awareness at the school. WRM's goal is to foster learning environments where all students feel empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to campus, develop respect and appreciation for others, and become prepared to participate harmoniously in our socially diverse world. They seek to plant seeds for understanding and appreciating the characteristics that reveal human diversity, including but not limited to cultural identity, gender, religion, and ability. The goal is for all members of the community to feel at home at WRM and to embrace all the ways that make individuals unique and special in alignment with the school's vision.

For more information about White Rock, visit the school's website.

Head of School Profile

Montessori Leader * Communicator * Community Builder * Strategic Thinker

The next Director will be joining an established, successful, 47-year-old Montessori school with an exciting outlook to the future. They must be skilled at building trust and relationships in order to cultivate a strong and respected voice in decision-making processes. A commitment to continuous improvement is key, building on the traditions and accomplishments of the school to date and the dedication of the faculty and parent community.

The ideal candidate is an experienced Montessorian who is also well-versed in the business aspects of running a school. The ability to balance the implementation of high-quality Montessori education with savvy business decisions is essential.

WRM's new Director must be a strategic thinker who can communicate a clear vision for the school in partnership with the Board, execute the steps to get there, and effectively get support and buy-in from the community to join in that vision. A Director who is knowledgeable and implements best practices in Montessori and contemporary education is vital.

Personality traits that will serve the new Director will include compassion, empathy, diplomacy, flexibility, decisiveness, and adaptability. They should be a problem solver, organized, and inspiring.

The profile below indicates traits, skills, roles, and responsibilities that would align with success for the next Director at WRM.

A Montessori Leader, dedicated to
  • Championing Montessori education. Demonstrating leadership, experience, and expertise in Montessori education
  • Working collaboratively, as a teacher advocate, colleague, and mentor to Montessori teachers across all programs, Toddler through Middle School
  • Providing oversight of a rigorous Middle School program adaptable to meet the needs of adolescents; including community service, outdoor education, and business economy
  • Embracing the integration of the unique features of the physical property into the Montessori curriculum-a nature-inspired leader; an environmentalist
  • The delivery of an articulated scope and sequence of Montessori outcomes across the levels
  • Supporting the integration of students with learning differences throughout the school
  • Upholding the implementation of principles of Positive Discipline
  • Commitment to high-quality professional development and parent education
  • Leading technology instructional methods aligned to Montessori pedagogy
  • Modeling Montessori philosophy and values through words, actions, and behavior

An Engaging Communicator, skilled at
  • Interacting with a high degree of emotional intelligence:empathetically, compassionately, and diplomatically, while providing clear expectations and transparency, with well-articulated procedures/policies and accountability
  • Ensuring relevant communications with parents with effective feedback mechanisms
  • Using technology for messaging to the school community
  • Excellent expressive and receptive communication
  • A receptiveness to stakeholders' diverse ideas and opinions while firmly supporting Montessori philosophy and pedagogy; demonstrated ability in conflict resolution

A Community Builder, gifted at
  • Building rapport, managing stakeholders' relationships and expectations while staying true to the mission and vision of WRM
  • Being a "people person" - relatable and cooperative. Parents, teachers, and administrators expect active listening skills from the new Director; fostering collegiality between and among staff
  • Honoring the traditions and history of WRM, and move respectfully into the future
  • Respecting and supporting the arts as an integral part of the WRM curriculum
  • Representing and embracing all stakeholders, fostering a culture of diversity and inclusivity
  • Highly engaged and visible in the school community

Strategic Thinker, skilled at
  • Developing, in partnership with the Board, strategic planning with a focus on financial sustainability, community building, and diversity
  • Clearly articulating the mission and vision of WRM
  • Seeing the big picture of WRM, and delivering program implementation of best practices in Montessori education and school operations
  • Embracing the scope of work of a not-for-profit, school governed by a Board of Trustees
  • Commitment to learning about education trends that impact or influence the implementation of Montessori
  • Possessing the business acumen to lead, execute, and hold accountable all aspects of the school operation

The Director is responsible, in partnership with the Board, for the execution of the mission and strategic goals of WRM to produce the highest level of education consistent with the accreditation standards set

forth by the AMS. The new Director must possess expertise in Montessori education, board governance, and the business acumen to lead, and execute all aspects of the school operation.

The Director is under the direct supervision of the WRM Board, which is responsible for the Director hiring and annual evaluation.

WRM is looking for an excellent new leader to be in place for the start of the 2023 school year.

Position Requirements
  • Montessori teaching credential preferred; Administrator's credential preferred
  • Administrative experience in an educational setting; three years experience in administration in a Montessori school preferred
  • A Bachelor's degree is required; advanced degrees in a related field preferably with a Montessori focus
  • Montessori middle school experience/expertise preferred
  • Experience with regulatory, personnel, budget, and fiscal management required
  • Experience working with a governing board preferred
  • Benefits include health insurance; retirement; tuition discounts; vacation, sick, personal, and professional days.

Interested candidates will submit the following documents, via email to Carla Hofland, Consultant, Metro Consulting Services.
  • Cover letter addressed to the Search Committee expressing interest in and detailing qualifications for the position
  • A current resume
  • A statement of educational leadership philosophy (1-2 pages)
  • Two examples of writing on a school or educational topic (can be school newsletter/communications)
  • Five references (including email addresses and telephone numbers) that can be contacted confidentially)
  • Other documents/media may be required later in the process

  • Candidates' engagement with the search will be kept confidential until the final stage of the process. Candidates are free to communicate directly with Carla Hofland via email or phone (301) 230-0901 regarding the search process.

    Note that the search will continue until a qualified candidate has been hired. Please submit a letter of interest or application by October 14, 2022.

    Get job alerts

    Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.

    Create alert