ISC Search

Announces the Search for

 

Lower School Assistant Principal for

Faculty and Academic Instruction 

at

Mount Vernon Presbyterian School

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Mount Vernon Presbyterian School (MVPS), a Christian college preparatory school with an enrollment of approximately 850 students, is located in Sandy Springs, a close northern suburb of Atlanta

 

Independent School Counsel, Inc. (ISC), the consulting group to MVPS, invites candidates and nominations for a significant academic and faculty leadership position in the Lower School (Grades K-6). Applications are requested by March 15 to ensure full consideration.  The school desires to appoint the next Lower School Assistant Principal by April 15, with a starting date of July 2008.

 

The Opportunity

MVPS has emerged as a leading school in the grouping of fine independent schools in Atlanta. ISC Search has been retained to assist in recruiting and identifying a talented educator to play a leading role in the development and growth of the MVPS Lower School division.

 

At MVPS there is a strong, identifiable commitment to collaborative leadership within the divisions as well as among key administrators. The Head of School and administrative team are prepared to offer their full support to a strong leader who will respect and value the traditions and culture of MVPS, with primary responsibility for the Lower School faculty and instructional program. The school seeks a talented academic leader who can facilitate ways to strengthen an already solid curriculum as well as assume responsibility for the support, coordination and evaluation of the faculty that includes a mix of veteran and early career teachers.

 

In this Position Profile we present the school communityÕs perceptions of its leadership needs, along with sufficient factual information about school environment and personnel to give prospective candidates and referral sources a better sense of the vibrancy and spirit of the school. Prospective candidates are also encouraged to visit the schoolÕs website (http://www.mvpschool.com).

 

MVPS Mission

 

Mount Vernon Presbyterian School is a community dedicated to academic excellence, physical development and spiritual enrichment. Grounded in Christian values, we seek to develop leaders who will use their unique abilities to think, serve and live their lives with wisdom and moral integrity.

 

The MVPS Philosophy

 

ÒMount Vernon Presbyterian School is a wonderfully caring place that is dedicated to providing an outstanding college preparatory experience for students from Preschool through the 12th grade. We are grounded in Christian values, and we seek to have our students develop their unique abilities as leaders of tomorrow. Our students enter to learn and grow. They depart to serve humanity, and live lives of wisdom and integrityÓ

(Jeff Jackson, Head of School)

 

Faculty and Program

o      MVPS is accredited by SACS, SAIS and The Georgia Accrediting Commission; and is a member of NAIS, SAIS, GISA, and AAAIS

The Lower School Faculty has:

o      47 teachers and two nurses

o      40 women 7 men

o      50% over/under 40 years of age

 

The Mission and Beliefs, along with strategic goals, continue to shape the school and its programs. The MVPS curriculum is college preparatory and serves motivated students of average to superior ability. The curriculum is not designed to offer programs for children with special learning needs. At every level, MVPS offers programs that encourage students to be confident readers and writers, careful thinkers, creative problem solvers, and responsible citizens.

 

The goal of the Lower School is to provide a meaningful education to students in kindergarten through sixth grade. Students are exposed to a strong academic curriculum, enriched with resource classes in music, art, computer, use of the library and media center, foreign language and daily P.E.

 

The Lower School curriculum is designed to foster mastery of the basic skills while motivating students through classroom experiences. Students are encouraged to pursue academic excellence, develop leadership skills, and excel in life. Small classes allow our experienced and dedicated faculty to provide our students with individualized attention, skill reinforcement, and enrichment opportunities. Learning support teachers are on staff to give additional academic reinforcement when needed.

 

Candidates are strongly encouraged to visit the schoolÕs website in order to gain a more complete insight into the school, its academic program and culture.

 

The Campus

Mount VernonÕs nine-acre Lower School Campus serves Preschool through sixth grade students (The Preschool is a separate entity), and includes classrooms, science and art labs, gymnasium, cafeteria, performance venue, and chapel.

The schoolÕs new 30-acre Glenn Campus, just across Mt. Vernon Road, serves Middle and Upper School students (grades 7-12). The campus currently consists of a 4-story building as well softball, baseball, and football/soccer fields. The state-of-the-art building houses spacious and naturally-lit classrooms, science labs, art studios, choral and band rooms, cafeteria, a gymnasium that also serves as a performance venue, art gallery space, and a media center that overlooks a beautiful wooded ravine.

 

School Community and Area

MVPS is located in Sandy Springs, GA, approximately 15 miles north of midtown Atlanta, GA.

 

Atlanta is one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the US, with a current population of just over 4 million people.  There are numerous outstanding independent schools in the Greater Atlanta area, of which MVPS is increasingly considered to be among the finest. 

 

Some interesting Internet links to learn more about the Atlanta community include:

www.metroatlantachamber.com                           www.menuguide.com

www.cobbchamber.org                                      www.visitingcities.com/atlanta/home

www.atlanta.citysearch.com                                 www.webguideatlanta.com

www.barnesandnoble.com (keyword: Atlanta)

 

The Position and Its Responsibilities:

The Lower School Assistant Principal for Faculty and Academic Instruction is hired by the Head of School and, as a member of the Lower School administrative team, reports directly to the Lower School Principal. This individual is responsible for curricular leadership, guidance and direction. This individual is also responsible for working with a proven faculty to ensure a consistent articulation between the academic programs and the schoolÕs overall educational mission.

 

Educational Leadership and Management

¬     Understands and agrees with the philosophy of MVPS

¬     Acts as the instructional leader who can inspire teachers to strive for the very best in a positive, cooperative, collaborative manner

¬     Enjoys working cooperatively as a member of an administrative team

¬     Interviews, evaluates, and make recommendations regarding teacher candidatesÕ strengths and potential for contributions to the teamwork of the Lower School Faculty

 

Candidate Qualifications:

 

Personal Qualities Sought:

¬     Has a well-developed sense of humor

¬     Loves children

¬     Is a good listener and communicator

¬     Respects the time and efforts of others

¬     Is flexible and can adjust as events and opportunities evolve

¬     Must be comfortable with main stream Christianity

o      Chapel once a week

o      Christian Education

o      Breadth of views

 

Professional Background, Experiences and Qualities Sought:

¬     Has the elementary school experience and capabilities to lead the overall instructional program of the Lower School

¬     Has earned a MasterÕs degree in curriculum and instruction, administration and supervision, or elementary education

¬     Can provide leadership in the professional growth and development of the faculty

¬     Has a broad as well as a specific understanding of the developmental needs of elementary school children; is willing to seek ways to address those needs as a school leader and educator and guide teachers accordingly

¬     Understands and is knowledgeable about ÒBrain BasedÓ Research and embraces the concept of implementation into the teaching and learning process in a school setting

¬     Has a realistic understanding of the current status of the Lower School and develops worthwhile goals for the future refinement of the overall program

 

Leadership Style and Management Skills Sought:

¬     Comfortable with being a leader and decision maker

¬     A proactive thinker who makes informed decisions

¬     Takes work seriously, but is able to enjoy and project enthusiasm for the school and for life 

¬     Is able to provide a knowledgeable assessment of faculty on a regular basis

 

The compensation package for this position will be attractive and commensurate with the background and experience of the chosen candidate.  The benefits program at MVPS is well regarded by its employees.

 

The Search Process

A complete application will include the following information for the Search Committee:

1.      Cover letter expressing interest in this position and explaining why the candidate believes his/her qualifications match those sought by MVPS

2.    Current resume (email address required)

3.    List of at least five references with current phone numbers.  References should encompass the present position and most recent previous position, and should include as a reference the candidateÕs current supervisor.

4.    Statement of educational philosophy or personal statement

 

Please follow the directions below in making application.

1.      Send your materials by email attachment in MS Word or PDF to eclingenheld@isc-erh.com 

2.      When adding subsequent materials to your file, please email or fax them (fax number below)

3.    Your application will be acknowledged to your email address

4.    ISC will notify you of your status after your materials are complete and have been reviewed by the school administration

5.    Questions not answered above should be directed to either the email address or phone number below

 

Nominations for this position, optional hard copies of requested credentials and questions from candidates should be directed to:

            Edward C. Lingenheld

ISC Search

1424 Bascomb Drive

Raleigh, NC 27614

Mobile Phone: 919/264-8636

Fax: 919/341-8334

Email: eclingenheld@isc-erh.com

 

Application Deadline: March 15

Target Date for Appointment: April 15

 

Mt. Vernon Presbyterian School is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and a 501(c)(3) corporation.