Associate Lower School Director

SUMMARY
At Harding Academy, we believe that children in primary and middle school should be both nurtured and challenged. We carefully orchestrate this critical balance to align with the students’ needs and capabilities at each grade level. The outcome is more than preparation for a rigorous high school experience. It is children with a deeper understanding of material, the self-assuredness to conquer any challenge, and the ability to think critically and independently for a lifetime.

Harding Academy seeks an educational leader who is excited to help lead a dynamic elementary level full of talented and curious students, faculty, and staff. This educator should be someone who desires to meet the learning needs of the students, as well as being comfortable engaging families in any number of conversations. Furthermore, Harding Academy seeks an educator who finds fulfillment in supporting and helping faculty grow in instructional practice, classroom management, professional development, and joy in their craft. This educator should demonstrate an ability to connect and collaborate with a variety of stakeholders, bring an energy to their work that is infectious, and be aligned with Harding Academy’s mission, vision and goals of the Embracing the Future Strategic Plan.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
1. Master’s Degree required
2. Five to ten years of relevant teaching and/or administrative experience with proven effectiveness in leading educational change
3. Experience working in independent schools preferred
4. Deep understanding of differentiated instruction, curriculum development, and educational technology
5. Experience in infusing innovation at a grade and/or division level
6. Experience pursuing diversity, equity, and inclusion towards fostering an inclusive learning community

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Oversees daily operational systems including attendance, transcripts, report cards, and learning management platforms
2. Partners with the Lower School Director and the Head of School on discipline, student support, and family communications
3. Mentors teaching fellow and long-term substitutes; coordinates substitute coverage for the Lower School
4. Collaborates with faculty on instructional planning, resource allocation, and large-scale performances
5. Supports admissions, enrollment transitions, student shadowing, and midyear entry processes
6. Administers ERB assessments with accommodations and participates in student support meetings
7. Designs and schedules service learning experiences for each grade level

COMPETENCIES
1. An excellent listener who can synthesize disparate points of view into a coherent, well-organized narrative
2. Self-reflective educator who is optimistic and models a growth mindset
3. High level of work, personal, and professional ethics
4. Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
5. Ability to use computers and technology, esp. Google docs, sheets, etc.
6. Enthusiasm for working collaboratively as part of the Harding Academy team
7. Active involvement in school functions, goals, activities, etc.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to speak; hear; stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, grasp or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be available to allow the employee to perform the essential functions of
the job.