Head of School

Head of School, Arlington Montessori House

Start Date: Summer 2020

About Arlington Montessori House

Located in Arlington, Virginia right outside Washington, DC, Arlington Montessori House (AMH) is a highly respected, AMI-recognized Montessori school serving children ages 2 ½ through 6.
Established as a non-profit in 1991, the school is comprised of two charming, adjacent houses, complemented by a spacious playground and garden. Nestled in the heart of vibrant Arlington,
AMH is a calm sanctuary for the development of the whole child.

Our small community encourages deep partnerships between school and family, with both working together for the benefit of the children. We are a practicing Montessori environment in which everyone is respected, valued, engaged and challenged. A deep appreciation for authentic Montessori education is woven through the fabric of the entire community, resulting in thriving children, compassionate and dedicated staff, and engaged and supportive parents.

In its 28th year, AMH has significant plans for expansion, driven by internal demand as well the needs of the local community. Expansion plans include facility expansion, new classrooms and introducing a toddler program.

For more information about Arlington Montessori House, its programs and Montessori education, please visit the AMH website: http://www.arlingtonmontessori.com.

Mission Statement

We are a community committed to helping each of our children and families realize the full benefit of a complete Montessori experience that meets the needs of the whole child. We recognize that a partnership between home and school is a critical part of the successful development of children.

Vision Statement

Arlington Montessori House is an Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) recognized school upholding the highest standards of Montessori education, at the heart of which is our understanding of the nature of the child. In true Montessori spirit, we are welcoming, inclusive

and diverse. By involving our entire community – children, families and staff – we guide the children in self-discovery, helping instill in them respect, compassion and a desire to become responsible citizens of the world.

Head of School Profile

Collaborative Leader * Compassionate Communicator * Creative Problem Solver

The next Head of School at AMH will be a true embodiment of Montessori philosophy, meeting each member of the community where they are, and fostering an environment of grace and courtesy for both children and adults. They will be a collaborative leader who understands how to build trust, delegate wisely, and models the behaviors and actions that reflect the values of
AMH. As both mentor and manager, they must balance flexibility and compassion with the ability to make tough decisions and take a firm stance when it is in the best interest of the school.

The ideal candidate is a creative problem solver and strong communicator with leadership, operational, budgeting and team-building experience. They must have excellent negotiation and conflict resolution skills, adept at managing the needs of the different community stakeholders, while maintaining harmony with all parties.

A Collaborative Leader, adept at:

• Nurturing a model Montessori community that supports the whole child and beyond.
• Resolving complex issues as they arise, through listening, troubleshooting, guiding and clarifying school policies and procedures.
• Managing many different stakeholders with conflicting priorities, aligning the various perspectives, and leading the group to consensus.
• Integrating new members of the community (children, parents and staff) into the whole; honoring the uniqueness of each member, while helping them feel that they are a part of something larger.

• Building trust and a sense of belonging with staff and the greater community, so the group functions effectively and lovingly as a team, conflicts are resolved in a fair and compassionate manner, and everyone feels heard, respected, empowered and valued.

• Developing human potential through proper guidance, training and support so staff know what they are being asked to do and have the skills to do it.

A Compassionate Communicator, skilled at:

• Negotiating difficult discussions in a compassionate way.
• Messaging with calmness and transparency, so all members of the community feel secure in the school’s present and future.

• Ensuring relevant communications happen in a timely and effective manner, both internally with the staff and externally with parents and the broader school community.

• Clearly articulating the mission and vision of AMH, differentiating it from other area

Montessori programs, as well as the highly regarded public school system.

• Community outreach, both locally as well as on the wider Montessori stage, in order to enhance the status and reputation of AMH.

• Interacting with a high degree of emotional intelligence, diplomacy and tact, while respecting and strengthening organizational culture.

A Creative Problem Solver, gifted at

• Sustaining and elevating AMH operational management to strengthen the long-term future of the school.

• Optimizing facilities to support the AMH experience, considering needs, desires and expansion as opportunities arise.

• Managing and overseeing the budget in a fiscally responsible fashion, while creatively achieving the goals of the school.

• Working in collaboration with the parent cooperative to oversee joint operations, such as fundraising, communications, facilities and events.

• Managing personnel, hiring, evaluations and staffing, within correct county, state and federal guidelines.

• Tracking and complying with extensive and ever-changing licensing regulations.
• Overseeing and maintaining a safe, orderly environment for adults and children.

Opportunity

The next Head of School at AMH will expand and enhance each family’s Montessori school experience to sustain program excellence through Montessori principles. The school has clearly articulated goals, including an unwavering commitment to authentic AMI Montessori education. This presents the new Head with a unique opportunity to use their particular gifts and talents to guide the vision, while operating within an extremely supportive parent community.

The new Head will be managing a school that currently serves 56 children through two primary classrooms, has 8 full-time and one part-time staff. An experienced administrative team provides strong operational support. The Head of School reports to the Board of Directors, whose primary responsibilities are strategic planning and hiring the Head of School to run the daily operations of AMH. The parent cooperative provides additional assistance to the school, including event planning, facilities maintenance and fundraising help.

Compensation includes competitive salary, annual bonuses, generous vacation and sick leave, health and retirement benefits and training opportunities (on-site and conferences).
Additionally, there will be a supportive onboarding process throughout the first year to ensure the new Head’s success.

Requirements

• Knowledge and experience in the education field with training and/or deep familiarity with Montessori precepts and pedagogy is required.

• Three to five years of leadership experience, including team-building, strongly preferred.
• Montessori credential highly desired with preference for AMI diploma; if not credentialed, candidate must demonstrate that they meet Virginia’s Program Director requirements.

• B.A. at a minimum with preference for advanced degrees in education or a related field.

Interested candidates will submit the following documents, by January 15, 2020 to Erin Freas-
Smith, Board President, Arlington Montessori House at amhboard (at) gmail (dot) com:

1. Cover letter addressed to the Search Committee expressing interest in and qualifications for the position.

2. A current resume.
3. A statement of educational leadership philosophy (1-2 pages)
4. Two examples of writing on a school or educational topic (can be school newsletter/communications)
5. Five references (including email addresses and telephone numbers) that can be contacted confidentially.
6. Other documents/media may be required later in the process.

Applications accepted until January 15, 2020.

Throughout the search process until the finalist stage, candidates’ engagement with the search will be kept confidential. Candidates are free to communicate directly via email with AMH’s
Board President amhboard (at) gmail (dot) com regarding the search process. For specific questions about the position, candidates may contact Lisa Sarafidis, Managing Director, Metro Consulting at lisa (at) metromontessori (dot) com.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $65,000.00 to $75,000.00 /year