Location: Tucson,AZ, USA
Description
ORGANIZATION: Leman Academy of Excellence
POSITION: Head of Schools, Arizona
LOCATION: Tucson, AZ
REPORTS TO: Chief Executive Officer
Background
Leman Academy of Excellence (LAE) offers a rigorous, classical education based on the traditions of Western culture where all disciplines are interrelated allowing scholars the ability to think independently and critically. Leman Academy of Excellence partners with supportive parents, pursues excellence, provides a safe and challenging environment, and instills morals and values in order to produce tomorrow's leaders today. Leman Academy of Excellence is an independently operated, tuition-free public charter school network with an open-admission policy. LAE offers a rigorous K-8 classical education and a fee-based preschool program that fosters strong morals and guides scholars to pursue excellence.
The foundational principles for the educational philosophy of Leman Academy of Excellence were established by the founder, Dr. Kevin Leman, an internationally known psychologist, author, and speaker. Children graduate from Leman Academy as independent and critical thinkers who care deeply for the world around them. Dr. Kevin Leman founded LAE to inspire parents and teachers to make learning fun and an exercise of self-discovery for scholars, teaching the heart as well as the mind and nurturing strong parent-scholar-teacher relationships. You can learn more about Dr. Leman's approach and story here.
The core values of Leman Academy of Excellence define the organizational culture, drive decisions, and shape behaviors. These core values are care, civility, community, and classical education. LAE has been operating in Arizona since 2015 and currently consists of six K-8 schools, one virtual K-8 school, four tuition-based preschools in Arizona, two K-8 schools, and one preschool in Colorado, serving over 6,000 scholars. You can read more about Leman Academy of Excellence here.
Opportunity
LAE seeks a Head of Schools to lead the Arizona region. The Head of Schools, Arizona is a key member of the
district administrative team and is expected to provide leadership and guidance for the school district, Leman families,
and its scholars. As an educational shepherd and leader, the Head of Schools will guide school-site leadership at each
Leman Academy campus. The Head of Schools will ensure that each Arizona school achieves the school board-
approved mission, philosophy, guiding principles, policies, and annual budgetary commitments/constraints. The
Head of Schools will report to the CEO of Leman Academy of Excellence and directly manage a team of network
academic leaders and the Arizona school leaders.
The Head of Schools, Arizona will be expected to accomplish the following key priorities:
* Build relationships, trust, and actively partner with the LAE district leadership team, Arizona school leaders, and other key stakeholders in a shared vision that is aligned with Dr. Leman's philosophy and the core values of the organization;
* Create and implement a professional development scope and sequence for teachers and leaders across the district to develop, promote, and retain talent and build the bench for future Leman leaders;
* Assess the current curriculum and instructional practices and begin to initiate changes in pursuit of continuous improvement;
* Drive and maintain strong outcomes across the Arizona region; specifically lead schools and school leaders to improve student academic growth and decrease chronic absenteeism;
* Invest stakeholders in the mission, vision, and goals of Leman Academy of Excellence to ensure the value proposition is compelling so that it can continue to thrive in Arizona.
The ideal candidate is an instructional expert and champion for children who has a track record of leading teams to
accomplish academic results for scholars and is deeply committed to (or can quickly immerse themselves in) the
Arizona education community.
Responsibilities
* Organizational and Academic Leadership
* Manage and evaluate the operation of LAE schools in Arizona to ensure consistency with the organization's philosophy, mission, values, and goals, and drive continuous improvement across the district;
* Establish clear goals and priorities in collaboration with district leadership and school leaders;
* Ensure all curriculum, instructional practices, assessments, programs, policies, systems, and services are rigorous, high-quality, and responsive to the needs of scholars and families;
* Evaluate the current academic program and initiate recommended improvements that are consistent with the organization's goals;
* Support the goals of teaching and implementing the Arizona State and Arizona College and Career Readiness Standards;
* Maintain effective lines of communication between district leadership and schools, and between schools and school boards;
* Foster a supportive, partnership-driven relationship between parents, district staff, and schools;
* Promote and model shepherd leadership, educational leadership, and cultural leadership;
* Attend professional development and leverage educational resources to stay updated on best practices and bring new ideas/initiatives to the organization.
* Professional and Leadership Development
* Support the professional growth, development, and learning opportunities for school leaders and school leadership teams through in-services, professional improvement plans, and formal, and informal evaluations that lead to effective and excellent instruction;
* Supervise classroom instructional practices with a focus on data-driven instruction; provide faculty and staff direction and collaboration with curriculum, instruction, and assessments;
* Create and execute strategies to improve teacher and staff retention;
* Establish and implement plans for leadership development; build a strong leadership pipeline for the region;
* Promote continuous learning across the region and advocate for staff participation in professional growth/development opportunities;
* Lead talent development structures to support ongoing leadership and coaching.
School Management and Performance
* Oversee the academic and cultural performance of all LAE Arizona schools;
* Build trust-based relationships across organizational layers and teams to achieve goals and navigate challenges;
* Foster collaboration among school leaders to ensure district-wide alignment;
* Implement and ensure compliance with all board-approved school policies;
* Promote a safe, respectful, and healthy school environment across the region.
* Team Management
* Develop, coach, and retain a high-performing team, managing them to achieve ambitious goals;
* Coach, develop, and manage the network academic team;
* Clarify team roles and responsibilities, and create strong collaborative systems/structures to partner with school leaders and district leaders;
* Foster an inclusive and accountable adult culture focused on scholar success and growth.
Qualifications
The ideal Head of Schools candidate will bring the following experiences, skills, and mindset/values:
Experience
* At least ten years of professional education experience, including a minimum of five years of district or charter leadership experience (including principal experience) and a track record leading a school network/district to achieve ambitious student achievement goals;
* Understanding of and experience with the classical education model preferred; personal alignment with the classical philosophy and approach required;
* Experience successfully managing, developing, and supporting inclusive, high-performing teams through layers;
* Experience successfully working with school boards and charter management organizations preferred;
* Connection to and/or understanding of the Arizona educational landscape and Arizona state standards a plus;
* Arizona principal certification preferred;
* A bachelor's degree from an accredited, four-year university and a master's degree required, preferably in educational leadership.
Skills
* Working knowledge of learning theory, instructional methodology, curriculum development, and teacher observation/evaluation;
* Ability to collaborate with stakeholders to identify shared priorities with clear metrics for success, and lead a team to execute the plan to accomplish these priorities;
* Demonstrated track record of strong judgment and decision-making rooted in instructional data analysis;
* Superior relationship management and communication skills;
* Excellent organizational skills, time management, and follow-through; consistently sets and meets deadlines.
Mindset/Values
Alignment with the mission and vision of Leman Academy of Excellence, including commitment to the core values:
Care: Every precaution is taken to ensure a safe and secure environment for every scholar, staff, and guests.
Civility: Every scholar, family, and employee is treated with respect and as a valued individual.
Community: We strive to build a community where all stakeholders are motivated to be involved and feel
connected and valued.
Classical Education: Oversight and training is in place to ensure we are offering a rigorous, scholar-centered, classical education program including high expectations, values and virtues and providing scholars an environment of engaged learning. High bar for academic outcomes for students and belief that all students can succeed; Collaborative and accessible leadership style; present and engaged leader and team player; Self-starter; takes ownership and shows initiative; Evidence of well-developed emotional intelligence, humility, growth mindset, and receptiveness to feedback.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position starts at $150,000 annually, in addition to a performance-based bonus structure.
Leman Academy of Excellence offers a competitive benefits package and overall compensation will be commensurate
with talent, experience, and education. LAE can offer relocation assistance for qualified candidates who are relocating
for the position.
This position requires regular travel between the Arizona school campuses. The Head of Schools is expected to spend
time on school campuses at least four out of five days per week.
Leman Academy of Excellence is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Application
To apply, please email your resume to ...@k12searchgroup.com with the subject line Leman Academy of
Excellence Head of Schools, Arizona.
Initial Application Deadline: Midnight MT on February 16, 2025.