Middle School Division Director - EdSurge

Live Oak School - San Francisco, California - Full time

SUMMARY

Live Oak is hiring for a middle school division director (MSDD) to start July 1, 2025.

Live Oak School, a K-8 independent school in the heart of urban San Francisco, believes that the best learning happens when students are actively engaged in the process — thinking deeply, exploring ideas, and trying on strategies for solving problems. The school’s approach to teaching and learning is deeply rooted in progressive tradition and informed by contemporary research. Live Oak anchors its instructional program around the students as individual learners, determined to prepare them for the opportunities that will define the lives of graduates in the twenty-first century.

This year, Live Oak transitioned to a new program leadership model to provide even greater support for day-to-day divisional management, while still allowing for continued progress on strategic program priorities. Both division directors (Lower School and Middle School) report to the head of divisions, who next year will become the associate head of school. Because this model was finalized only late in the spring earlier this calendar year, the school appointed one-year acting directors for both divisions from within the faculty for the 24-25 school year.

Now, open application calls for both permanent division directors are running concurrently this fall, in advance of the 25-26 year. The MSDD supervises, coaches, and evaluates all faculty in grades 5-8, and oversees several areas of the middle school academic program, including: implementation for curricular and student strategies; communication and engagement with guardians; and student success and restorative practices. With a highly interconnected educational environment, Live Oak is excited to run both these searches at the same time— to identify mission-aligned divisional leaders eager to collaborate with each other and other members of the Program Leadership Team, which starting in 25-26 will be led by the associate head of school.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Priority Deadline: November 18, 2024

Remote Semifinal Round: December 2 & 3, 2024

On-site Final Round: Mid-December

Decision Announced: January 9, 2025

Start Date: July 1, 2025

Salary Range: $155,000–$175,000

Reports To: Associate Head of School

Classification: Full-time, Exempt

SPECIFIC DUTIES

Divisional Oversight

Lead the middle school faculty in the implementation of an identity responsive educational program that nurtures the diversity of the student body as a resource for excellence.

Ensure the implementation of a cohesive and engaging program for middle school students that follows an agreed upon scope and sequence and provides access and challenge for every learner.

Oversee formative and summative assessments of student performance against established learning goals including on-going data collection, portfolio assessments, and student report cards.

Faculty & Staff Leadership

Explicitly support the professional growth of the middle school faculty in order to provide a model for lifelong learning for students, to provide career fulfillment to teachers, and to infuse the learning community with expertise.

Plan and lead division, grade level team, and individual meetings with faculty that support the success of our students by elevating the expertise in the community while nurturing collaboration and cohesion in the middle school division.

In partnership with the associate head of school, contribute to the supervision, professional development, and evaluation of the middle school faculty through the Professional Growth Program (PGP).

Partner with the program leadership team on the recruitment, hiring, and support of new faculty in the division.

External Affairs

Build strong relationships with parents, guardians, and students in Live Oak’s Middle School in order to promote positive experiences in the school community.

Partner with other administrators in the planning and implementation of community experiences at the school including assemblies, Groves, Camp Live Oak, Grandparent & Special Friends Day.

Support parents and guardians to develop their understanding of the school’s purpose and programs including through Back to School Night, parent enrichment events, and in individual meetings.

Support the work of the admissions office in their efforts to recruit and retain new students and their families to the school community.

As a collaborative member of the Program Leadership Team, develop and implement curriculum and program initiatives that advance the strategic directions of the school.

Work with the administrative team to strategically manage the resources allocated to the implementation of the middle school program including budgets, supplies, and schedules.

Report to the associate head of school, and perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND QUALITIES

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required; master's degree preferred.

Understanding of child development that guide decisions for a middle school program.

Leadership experience in curriculum and/or pedagogy, preferably at a K-8 school.

Experience guiding parents and guardians on sensitive student-related matters.

Multiple years of experience as an elementary or middle school teacher, preferably at a progressive school.

Demonstrated success in working collaboratively and flexibly with colleagues, staff, parents, volunteers, and the broader community.

Professional & Leadership Qualities

Capacity to build supportive relationships with individuals and teams while leading through the challenges and opportunities in the life of a school.

Tendency toward a problem-loving, empathetic, joyful, inclusive, and mission-driven leadership style.

An interest in developing leadership capacity in yourself and others.

A genuine belief in Live Oak’s mission and an excitement to join a supportive community of educators, staff, and administrators.

TO APPLY

For more information please visit the following link, which contains the job opportunity statement and complete application instructions.