Lower School Division Head

About The Clariden School

The Clariden School is a not-for-profit, private, fully-accredited, college-preparatory school serving approximately 250 students PreK–Grade 12 in North Texas (Dallas-Fort Worth area). Clariden works to ignite student curiosity and problem-solving skills by first providing a program that addresses the whole student. With a focus on Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math), character-based kindness, and hands-on field study, our goal is to equip students for the jobs of tomorrow and to be contributing citizens in their local & global communities. Clariden is an International Baccalaureate World School for the Diploma Programme, having begun offering coursework in Fall 2024.

Employees at The Clariden School are expected to be respectful, responsible, self-directed, growth-minded individuals who are interested in not only providing the best for students but also developing and honing their skills as professionals. Employees are responsible for providing their students with appropriate learning activities and experiences in the academic subjects assigned to the educator to help the students fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical, and social growth.

Clariden is currently enjoying growth in its student body size and curricular/co-curricular programming. A new state-of-the-art Upper School STEAM building open in Fall 2022 and Clariden just completed a safety and security project on campus.

Job Summary

The Lower School Division Head reports to the Head of School. The division head is charged with the comprehensive responsibility of curricular and non-curricular development/activities involving students and faculty in the Early Childhood and Lower School, in partnership with the Teaching and Learning office, to create a dynamic learning environment. The division head also oversees the hiring and supervision of instructional personnel.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

The division head will:

• Maintain congruency between the school’s board-approved mission statement and all activities of the division.
• Act as the educational leader of the school division, responsible for its day-to-day operation.
• Direct the activities of the school’s instructional staff in the performance of their duties.
• Maintain the budget for the division in partnership with Teaching and Learning.
• Function as the chief articulator of the division’s programs, expectations, behavioral guidelines, and other information necessary to ensure that all constituencies are fully informed consonant with their individual roles.
• Be a visible presence in all areas of the school.
• Be knowledgeable and able to articulate advances and trends in pedagogy and education.
• Review and evaluate the academic programs, including horizontal and vertical curricular flow.
• Lead the academic policies/curriculum committee in the articulation of the school mission, school goals, department/division goals, course objectives, materials, methods, and means of assessment in partnership with Teaching and Learning.
• Observe, supervise, and help evaluate the faculty, including through classroom observation.
• Serve as a consultant to teachers in matters of classroom management, teaching methods, and general school procedures.
• Oversee and direct the activities of the teaching faculty, the sponsors of various student organizations and activities, and faculty committees.
• Provide an orderly, controlled environment in which learning can take place in a school climate that is supportive and reflects high morale.
• Be aware of the educational, physical, social, and psychological needs of the school community, and develop plans for meeting those needs.
• Ensure compliance with legal requirements of government regulations and agencies, and maintain the educational standards established by the state and by those agencies that examine and accredit the school.
• Make recommendations to the Head of School regarding the hiring and retention, and the assignment of faculty.
• Collaborate on the establishment of programs for the in-service training and team meetings of all teachers, and for the evaluation of classroom teachers.
• Ensure that teachers are familiar with and adhere to school policies in all areas of the school’s operation.
• Strive for unity, harmony, and cooperation through tact, helpfulness, respect, and the recognition of individual differences and the special abilities and strengths of each teacher.
• Conduct regular meetings with faculty that will deal both with routine school matters and with the stimulating exchange of ideas on issues of educational/philosophical interest and concern.
• Maintain complete academic records on all students.
• Oversee the grading and the reporting of standards and methods used by teachers in measuring student achievement in collaboration with Teaching and Learning.
• Establish guidelines for proper student conduct and dress and address students and parents in timely, private fashion when transgressions occur.
• Maintain accurate records of student attendance and citizenship.
• Work toward a resolution of all problems - both routine and unique - as they arise.
• Keep the Head of School informed of the general programs, activities, and problems of the division.
• Assist in the admission process for the testing, interviewing, and evaluating of applicants for enrollment.
• Maintain a comprehensive calendar of school events and keep the entire division, and school community as appropriate, informed of various school programs and activities.
• Oversee the coordination of the co-curricular and extra-curricular activity programs, including the planning and the presentation of school assemblies and programs.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Head of School.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree or higher in education or school administration preferred
• 5 – 7 years' experience as a lead teacher and/or department chair
• 2 – 3 years' experience as an administrative leader, preferably in independent schools
• Experience in working in independent schools preferred
• Proven success at working collaboratively in educational leadership
• Dynamic instructional leader with a solid understanding of the developmental and curricular needs of early childhood / lower school students
• Outstanding leadership skills
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills
• Excellent organizational and presentation skills
• Strategic thinker and empathetic problem solver
• Technologically savvy
• Sense of humor
• Ability to lead in fast-paced environment
• Ability to travel with early childhood and lower school students on local field studies and/or annual off-campus/overnight trips (Austin, Disneyworld, etc.) preferred
  
  

How To Apply

Please send a letter of interest, resume, and contact information for at least three professional references via e-mail to:

Dr. Jamie Segraves, Head of School

jsegraves@claridenschool.org

No phone calls, please.

The official start date for this position is July 1, 2026.