Headmaster

The headmaster is the master teacher and administrative leader for the operationof the school, accountable to the assigned regional director and FoundersSuperintendent. The headmaster is ultimately responsible for the success of theeducation of the students in accordance with the principles set forth in theFounders Classical academy mission and commitments to teaching and learning.To this end, the headmaster should have a firm grasp of the philosophy andpractices of an American classical education and be able to articulate anddemonstrate this education to others and ensure its implementation. As leader ofthe school, the headmaster must also have high moral character and embrace thevirtues of a free and just society.The headmaster will:? Articulate and implement the school's mission, philosophy, and policies as setforth in the Founders Headmasters' Guide and ResponsiveEd employeehandbook? Hire, train, and lead a well-educated and dedicated faculty? Teach and lead the student body by fostering academic excellence, goodcharacter, and a vibrant school culture? Work with parents to ensure the best education and moral development of theirchildren? Ensure sound management and accountability of the school, including financialoversight and school safety? Support the Founders organization in securing the school's long-term goals andplace in the community at largeThe following outline expands on the duties listed above.Articulating and implementing the mission, philosophy, and policiesof the school:The headmaster will:? Understand the mission, philosophy, and principles of an American classicaleducation as set forth by Founders Classical Academies? Regularly articulate the ideals of an American classical education among faculty,office staff, parents, students, and the community at large? Oversee the implementation of and faithfulness to the Founders curriculum;? Ensure the principles and virtues of a free and just society are appropriatelytaught and practiced? Actively monitor the learning of all students in the school, which includessupervising robust SPED, ESL, and other programs for students with higherneeds? Ensure all extra-curricular activities contribute to l'esprit d'école and uphold themission and philosophy of the school? Participate in leadership and teacher training for Founders Classical Academies? Keep informed of the current state of education in the community, state, and thenationHiring, training, and leading a well-educated and dedicated faculty:The headmaster will:? Actively recruit knowledgeable, talented, and hard-working teachers to work forthe Founders Classical Academy which he or she leads, while also considering theneeds of other Founders campuses? Lead the faculty by way of training, conversation, and example? Evaluate teachers' performance in a way that motivates and fosters improvement;? Foster collegiality among faculty and office staff? Quickly and fairly address various "issues," whether coming from parents,teachers, staff, or students? Anticipate and provide guidance to teachers as a whole and individuallyconcerning various predictable "concerns," such as homework load, grading,communication with parentsTeaching and leading the student body by fostering academic[excellence], good character, and a vibrant school culture:The headmaster will:? Be a visible leader of students throughout the school throughout the day? Invite and encourage students to exercise self-government in a myriad of ways? Cultivate strong and sound character in students through teaching andencouraging the virtues? Recognize and reward excellence in both learning and character? Get students (individually and as a group) "back on track" when they go astray? Foster extracurricular programs that contribute to student engagement? Be a presence in various extra-curricular activities and/or events such asupper-school dances, student government, Curriculum Day; and? Preferably teach one class and demonstrate mastery as a teacher through guestlectures at all grade levelsWorking with parents to ensure the best education and moraldevelopment of their children:The headmaster will:? Clearly articulate the mission and practices of Founders' American classicalschooling to parents in a variety of settings? Keep the parent body informed generally of students' learning, policies, events,school culture, and other matters through communications both written and inperson? Ensure that parents are kept informed of their own children's academic progressand needs as well as their character and conduct? Address general parental "concerns," particularly in the start-up years whentraditions and patterns are being formed? Work with and advise volunteer parent groups and parent-led events? Work with students and parents to understand and pave the way to opportunitiesbeyond their schooling at FoundersEnsuring sound management and accountability of the school,including financial oversight and school safety:Finances and fiscal accountabilityThe headmaster will:? Oversee the annual budget in line with the school's enrollment and requiredexpenses? Authorize expenditures in accordance with the annual budget? Approve all curricular purchases and programs, based on guidance from andworking with the Founders/ResponsiveEd home office? Consult the home office regarding any extraordinary expenditures? Oversee and approve teacher employment agreements? Monitor student enrollment and attendance? Review monthly the fiscal administration of the school? In the spring, help project the budget for the following year based on enrollmentfor the purposes of hiring faculty and staff, ordering materials, and other aspectsof planningAcademic Accountability:In addition to implementing the classical curriculum, the headmaster, as leader of apublic school, must monitor the school's performance on standardized examinations.While not the "be-all and end-all" of academic performance, these exams often do signalareas needing improvement.The headmaster will:? Have oversight of standardized school testing? Measure testing results against expected outcomes, such as age of school, studentdemographics (including students new to the school), previous years'performance, etc.? Where necessary, implement remediation plans or programs for studentsneeding help? Consult the Founders administration concerning any questions related to theacademic integrity and curriculum of the school? Explain to parents the results of the testing and any needed improvementsSchool Safety:The headmaster shall be vigilant in all matters pertaining to school safety:? Impress upon faculty and staff the essential nature of school safety? Before the start of the school year rehearse all drills and precautionary measureswith the faculty and office staff? Ensure that all entrances to the building are closely monitored at all times? Rehearse inclement weather and lockdown drills as recommended by home office? Ensure recess, lunch, and other monitoring duties are assigned and understood;? Provide training in CPR, Heimlich, etc.? Provide clear guidance to teachers on regulations regarding physical contact withstudents (e.g., as in breaking up a fight)? Oversee the plan and execution of daily carpool (drop-off and pick-up), ensuringstaff, teachers, parents, and students understand and practice all means of safetyand efficiencySupporting the school's and education reform's long-term goals:The headmaster will:? Recruit new students to the school through various forms of advertisinginformation meetings held at the school, presence at local events (such as fairs),etc.? Ensure the school's fidelity to the American classical education as set forth in thecurriculum guide? Keep informed of the current state of education in the community, state, and thenation? Promote the school as a bastion of strong academic and character [excellence] inthe local community through speaking at public events, hosting events at theschool, etc.Minimum Job Requirements:? 5+ Experience in school leadership or other form of leadership? Affinity for Classical education and American founding principles? Classroom teaching, preferably in a classical setting? The ability to speak and write clearly and persuasively? Experience with organizational and financial management

Created: 2025-01-07