Head of School
Pinewoods Montessori School
Hillsborough, NC

POSITION STATEMENT | START DATE: JULY 1, 2023

Overview
Pinewoods Montessori School of Hillsborough, NC is a Montessori school (501C3) of approximately 150 students and 25 staff members. We are seeking a Head of School who can lead during a pivotal time in the history of the school. Pinewoods has experienced significant growth over the past two decades: facilities have been expanded and renovated, financial stability has been achieved, skilled staffing has increased and diversified, and student populations have nearly doubled. Throughout these growth phases, Pinewoods has held true to the mission of providing an authentic Montessori education.

In November 2022, Dr. Ellesworth stepped into the role of Interim Head of School. The next
Head of School will begin on or before July 1, 2023. The next Head of School will be expected to demonstrate that they possess the leadership, empathy and energy to ensure that Pinewoods
Montessori remains a special place for many years to come. The next Head of School will usher in the practices and policies that allow Pinewoods to reach full maturity, a community that thrives today and flourishes in the future. Top priorities include attention to the following:

• Consistent Operational Practices
• Program Enrichment
• Property Enhancements
• Robust Fundraising
• Clear Marketing and Communications
• Faculty compensation
• Staff and Student Diversity

Mission, Values, and Beliefs
Pinewoods Montessori provides an authentic Montessori education in which children develop a love of learning within a safe, peaceful setting. Follow this link to learn more about our beliefs.

Strengths
Pinewoods Montessori School is a school whose mission, values, and approach to learning are clearly understood and widely embraced by faculty, staff, parents, trustees, and students.
Constituents consider their school to be a special place. At the center of the school is an exceptionally strong and dedicated parent community. Parents serve on the board and many parents are also members of the faculty.

Faculty recently shared assets of Pinewoods they deeply value, including:

• Transparency and Authenticity
• Supportive relationships/teamwork
• Kindness and community
• Resilience and Flexibility
• Shared values
• Being able to see the best in others and to be nurturing

Educational programs offer a Montessori education for children age 18 months through grade
6, as well as Summer programs. Enrollment in 2022-2023 is close to desired capacity and the school’s finances are stable. The campus has unfettered access to a large outdoor learning area that provides ample space for play and learning activities. Hillsborough is a lovely community with access to expansive trails and parks. Situated within the North Carolina
Research Triangle, Pinewoods draws staff and students from Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill,
Hillsborough and the surrounding areas.

Challenges and Opportunities
It is important to realize that Pinewoods Montessori School is maturing and managing the tensions inherent in becoming a larger, more established, sustainable school. While commitment to the central mission and expressly shared beliefs of the school will remain, the next Head of School will need to work with the board, faculty and community to create and implement a vision and strategic plan that includes:

• Addressing mandates related to liability, and accreditation.
• Continuing to move forward in Pinewood’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
• Increasing fundraising and development, particularly amid inflationary pressures.
• Designing competitive compensation across staff
• Codifying approaches to enrollment to meet the express goals of the school.
• Strengthening consistent policies and communications across all stakeholders.
• Developing a strategic, clear marketing plan.

Qualifications
While it is the responsibility of the Head of School to manage all operational and instructional aspects of the school, the following represent the attributes of the strongest candidates:

1. The ability to lead with trust, exhibiting competence, reliability, openness, and clarity.
2. The ability to work with the Board of Directorswith transparency and enthusiasm.
3. The ability to manage nuanced and challenging issues with all constituents.
4. The ability to lead rich instructional programs during and surrounding the school day/year.
5. The ability to lead decision making exhibiting decisiveness, prudence, and collaboration.

All candidates should be able to demonstrate the following:

1. 3-5 years of educational leadership
2. Experience as a Montessori educator, including certification
3. Master’s degree in education or related field
4. 3-5 years managing a staff/work force of 20 or more people
5. Experience leading diverse communities/DEIB initiatives
6. Excellent verbal and written communication skills

There is a clear commitment to creating a nurturing and respectful environment for all members of the school community. The board, administration, teaching faculty, staff and parents share a desire to promote a climate that celebrates diversity of identity and thought and that rejects all forms of discrimination.

Pinewoods Montessori School recognizes our employees as one of our greatest assets. We are committed to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons, consistent with applicable federal, state and local equal opportunity laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veterans’ status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. These opportunities include, but are not limited to, recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits and all other terms and conditions of employment.

Compensation and Benefits

• A competitive salary commensurate with experience (salary range to be added in early

January)

• Tuition discounts for children

Health, Dental and Vision insurance

• Paid time off and holidays
• Paid professional development
• Retirement fund contribution

To Apply

Interested applicants should submit the following to Dr. Jane Fruehwirth at hossearchcommitteepinewoodsmontessori.com

• Cover letter
• Current Resume
• Names and contact information of five professional references (please include relationship to each reference, e.g., subordinate, colleague, supervisor). References will not be checked until later in the process, after reaching out directly to applicants.

Application deadline: January 31, 2023

We will begin reviewing applications as soon as they are received with the tentative plan of making decisions in April.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $80,000.00 - $130,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Hillsborough, NC 27278: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Application Question(s):

• Please explain your interest in the job and why you are a good candidate

Work Location: One location

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