Associate Lower School Director

SUMMARY

At Harding Academy, we believe that children in primary and middle school should be both nurtured and challenged. We carefully orchestrate this critical balance to align with the students’ needs and capabilities at each grade level. The outcome is more than preparation for a rigorous high school experience. It is children with a deeper understanding of material, the self-assuredness to conquer any challenge, and the ability to think critically and independently for a lifetime.

Harding Academy seeks an educational leader who is excited to help lead a dynamic elementary level full of talented and curious students, faculty, and staff. This educator should be someone who desires to meet the learning needs of the students, as well as being comfortable engaging families in any number of conversations. Furthermore, Harding Academy seeks an educator who finds fulfillment in supporting and helping faculty grow in instructional practice, classroom management, professional development, and joy in their craft. This educator should demonstrate an ability to connect and collaborate with a variety of stakeholders, bring an energy to their work that is infectious, and be aligned with Harding Academy’s mission, vision and goals of the Embracing the Future Strategic Plan.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Oversees daily operational systems including attendance, transcripts, report cards, and learning management platforms. 
2. Partner with Lower School Director and the Head of School on discipline, student support, and family communication.
3. Mentors teaching fellow and long-term substitutes; coordinates substitute coverage for the Lower School. 
4. Collaborates with faculty on instructional planning, resource allocation, and large scale performances. 
5. Supports admissions, enrollment transitions, student shadowing, and mid-year entry processes. 
6. Administers ERB assessments with accommodations and participates in student support meetings. 
7. Designs and schedules service learning experiences for each grade level. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

1. Master’s Degree required
2. Five to ten years of relevant teaching and/or administrative experience with proven effectiveness in leading educational change
3. Experience working in independent schools preferred
4. Deep understanding of differentiated instruction, curriculum development, and educational technology
5. Experience in infusing innovation at a grade and/or division level
6. Experience pursuing diversity, equity, and inclusion towards fostering an inclusive learning community

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

1. An excellent listener who can synthesize disparate points of view into a coherent, well-organized narrative
2. Self-reflective educator who is optimistic and models a growth mindset
3. High level of work, personal, and professional ethics
4. Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
5. Ability to use computers and technology, esp. Google docs, sheets, etc.
6. Enthusiasm for working collaboratively as part of the Harding Academy team
7. Active involvement in school functions, goals, activities, etc.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to speak; hear; stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, grasp or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be available to allow the employee to perform the essential functions of the job.

Harding Academy is a warm and caring school environment where respect is the key ingredient. Every child, parent, and colleague is a unique individual worthy of our understanding and greatest effort. Harding Academy employs outstanding faculty, staff, and administrators, provides technologically enhanced facilities, and offers a broad and challenging curriculum designed to develop the whole person.  It is Harding Academy’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, handicap, or disability in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. It is the intent and resolve of Harding Academy to comply with the letter and the spirit of the law in the implementation of all facets of equal opportunity. This equal opportunity policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, compensation, and training.  Equal employment opportunity will be extended to all qualified individuals with a disability in accordance with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Subject to the provisions of federal law, Harding Academy will provide reasonable accommodation to the known physical or mental disabilities of a qualified individual with a disability who is able to perform the essential functions of a job with such reasonable accommodation. Harding Academy will also provide reasonable accommodation for the sincerely held religious beliefs of an employee or applicant in accordance with federal law. Any questions about reasonable accommodation should be directed to the head of school.

Harding Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), disability, or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Human Resources Manager,  Title IX and ADA Coordinator

170 Windsor Dr.

Nashville, TN 37205

(615) 356-8198