Headmaster

The Chesterton Academy of the Notre Dame in Spokane, Washington seeks applications for the position of Headmaster.

Chesterton Academy of Notre Dame is a private, co-ed, Catholic high school in Spokane, Washington. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Spokane. Like its sister academies in the Chesterton Network of Schools, our school is inspired by G. K. Chesterton's ideas of integrated learning.

Our classical curriculum combines a broad, liberal arts education with a strong emphasis on the development of Christian virtues and an appreciation of beauty. All students pursue a cohesive, content-rich education through studies in Humanities, Math & Science, and the Fine Arts including four years of Theology.

While the job requires strong initiative and self-direction, results are only achieved by enlisting the commitment and buy-in of others, especially faculty and staff members who look to this position for leadership, direction, and support. The work entails leading and engaging others to deliver the right outcomes, advance our mission, and create a compelling educational experience for all. This will require a headmaster who can lead by example to build trust, engage, inspire, and influence others to embrace change and align behind our strategic choices with a proactive rather than reactive communication style. In general, the core of this position requires a self-motivated and inspiring team builder and organization developer with a passionate commitment to the mission and values of the institution.

The Position

Summary
The Headmaster serves as the educational leader, responsible for managing the policies, regulations, and procedures to ensure that all students are supervised in a safe, learning environment that adheres to our Catholic identity and meets the approved curricula and mission of the school. The Headmaster is responsible for the curriculum, instructional leadership of the school, hiring and supervision of instructional personnel, student life, discipline and related parent communication.

The Headmaster must be a joyful, practicing Catholic Christian, possess the minimum of a Master's Degree in Education or related field, and demonstrate a commitment to Catholic secondary education.

Salary $70000-$140000. Offered salary is based on internal equity, market data, applicant's skills and relevant experience, degrees and certifications.

The Board of Directors appoints the Headmaster of Chesterton Academy. A collaborative relationship between the Headmaster and Executive staff is a requirement. In addition to any teaching responsibilities, the duties of the Headmaster include: (1) curriculum and academic excellence; (2) instruction; (3) student life and discipline; (4) parent communications; (5) student admissions; (6) guidance; (7) other school operations.

Primary Responsibilities and Duties

Curriculum and Academic Excellence
Oversee adherence to Chesterton Schools Network curriculum.
Oversee implementation of changes to curriculum.
Review results of student tests (CLT, PSAT, ACT, SAT.)
Oversee school accreditation process and renewal per Network guidelines.

Instruction
Oversee faculty hiring, evaluation, rehires, terminations with the Board of Directors.
Conduct classroom observations for faculty members as part of evaluation process.
Mentor and coach young teachers.
Provide humble servant leadership, support, motivation, and inspiration to faculty and staff.
Have a distinct command of pedagogy and the curriculum and classroom management.

Student Life and Discipline
Ensure discipline policies are enforced, communicated.
Oversee Athletic Director activities, sports and extracurricular activities.
Ensure effectiveness of house and faculty mentor programs.
Oversee academic and behavioral eligibility for extracurricular activities.
Oversee Admissions Director activities.
Oversee the Director of Career and College Guidance.

Parent Communications
Send or oversee weekly Headmaster missives to parents or school newsletter.
Meet with parents regarding student discipline and academic issues.

Admissions
Admit new students upon review of placement exam, student application materials, and meeting.
Oversee transfer student process (curriculum, regulations, forms, financial).
Review placement tests and contact parents with remedial needs.
Deliver presentations to prospective parents and students at selected school events.

Other School Operations
Oversee selection and evaluation of vendors (software, textbooks, other services).

Teaching Responsibilities (as needed)
Maintain presence in the classroom by teaching one or two classes.

Relationships
The Headmaster maintains the following working relationships:

The Headmaster reports directly to the Board of Directors.
The Headmaster maintains a consultative, collaborative relationship with the Executive Staff.
The Headmaster maintains a supervisory relationship with faculty and other selected staff, including Dean of Students and Academic Dean.
The Headmaster maintains a collaborative relationship with the Director of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Spokane.
The Headmaster seeks opportunities to communicate and collaborate with the Catholic elementary school principals in the Diocese of Spokane.

Administrative Model
The Headmaster and the Executive Staff lead the administrative team at Chesterton Academy of Notre Dame. This model of school administration is one of equality with both specific and shared responsibilities.

The Headmaster is responsible for internal operations, including the instructional leadership of the school, as well as hiring and supervision of instructional personnel, the curriculum, and student life.

The Executive Staff is responsible for the business aspects of the administration including finances, human resources, fundraising, strategic planning, public relations, and building facilities.

The Headmaster and Executive Staff share responsibilities for nurturing and maintaining the mission and traditions of the school, and ensuring fidelity to the Magisterium. The Headmaster is hired by and reports directly to the Board of Directors.

Requirements

Education:
Masters in Education or related field. Ph.D. preferred.

Qualifications:
Significant teaching experience in a classical school environment.
Previous experience in secondary school administration.
Familiarity with the mission of Chesterton Academy and the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Practicing Catholic dedicated to living the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Ability to build strong relationships with parents, clergy, diocesan partners, and benefactors.
Open to mentorship by Chesterton Schools Network headmasters/leaders.
Working knowledge of institutional advancement/fundraising.
Demonstrated ability to recruit and retain a strong faculty team.
Must set the example of the Chestertonian spirit for students, faculty, and community.

Certification:
Not required but preferred.

Applications process
Apply by emailing a cover letter and resume to: [email protected]

Accepting applications until March 7th, 2023. In your cover letter, please include why you believe Catholic, classical education is important and the role it plays in forming the next generation.