THE OPPORTUNITY
As one school, Jackson Walnut Park has the opportunity to offer a dynamic, cohesive, and comprehensive learning environment where the Montessori program for toddlers through 5-year-olds prepares and invites children and their parents to continue the educational journey in a high-standards, innovative K-6 learning environment.
The Board of Trustees are seeking a warm, dynamic, and experienced leader to serve as the new Head of School beginning July 2025. The new Head’s top three priorities will be to:
- Carry forward the work of knitting two communities of professionals previously under separate leadership into one community of supportive and enthusiastic colleagues
- Work collaboratively with faculty and staff to thoughtfully transition the traditional elementary program into one that is more highly interactive, project-based, and focused on student centered-learning without diminishing the academic rigor and success of the existing program
- Promote the one school – Jackson Walnut Park School – brand, image, and message throughout the community with the goal of (1) retaining more students during the transition from the Montessori pre-school program to the elementary program, and (2) increasing enrollment across all grades
All three priorities provide the new Head the unique opportunity to mold previous campus “neighbors” into a flourishing, cohesive, and exciting learning environment.
SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITIES
- Continuing to evolve and align Jackson Walnut Park School’s two programs as one institution in all areas from teaching/learning philosophy to community culture
- Re-structuring the administrative team to assure all key roles are filled and focused on both the “one school” brand and message, as well as on mission alignment
- Creating a culture of collaboration that brings together the Board, Sisters, administrators, faculty, and staff to a greater understanding of the daily work that goes on across the entire school
- Unifying the faculty and staff of the Montessori and elementary programs into one community of educators collaboratively serving the mission of the school
- Ensuring that the school’s Catholic identity, the Sisters of Saint Joseph charism and core values, and holistic approach to student formation – academically, emotionally, and spiritually -- is prioritized uniformly across the entire school
- Re-affirming the school’s open, welcoming, and respectful invitation to all members of the school community, regardless of faith tradition and culture, to full participation and partnership in the school
- Spearheading the strategic planning process and overseeing the school’s self-study report required for the joint American Montessori Society/New England Association of Schools and Colleges (AMS/NEASC) accreditation process (2025-
- 2026)
- Re-engaging and re-animating the two schools’ alumni, alumni parents, and alumni grandparents to support the one Jackson Walnut Park School
- Expanding the school’s reach, visibility, and unique value proposition in a densely populated city/suburban community with highly competitive school options
- Maintaining JWPS’ wide network of private middle school contacts to ensure the continuation of high acceptance rates of JWPS students into those schools
POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE
- Previous school head experience, preferably in a pre-K through 6th environment Masters or doctorate degree preferred
- Specific experience in change management, that is, has successfully led a faculty/staff through a shift in culture, collegiality, and pedagogy
- Experience as a Montessori teacher OR a respect for and willingness to learn about the Montessori model of education
- Knowledgeable and experienced with transitioning a traditional elementary curriculum and pedagogy toward student-centered, project-based learning
- Although an independent Catholic school, meets the Archdiocesan standard that the Head must be a Catholic in good standing
QUALITIES
- A genuine and visible warmth of personality; demonstrates a high level of emotional intelligence
- An expressive and articulate communication style that reflects transparency and accountability, with listening as a foundational value
- A distributive style of leadership that supports, empowers, appreciates, and develops the leadership potential of colleagues within the school community
- An open-mindedness and collaborative spirit that informs and invites stakeholders throughout the school in engaging in the change process as JWPS embraces its “one school” identity
- Comfortable reflecting a strong sense of personal faith and integrity, and serving as a role model for others -- including students and adults -- in the school community
SEARCH PROCESS
Jackson Walnut Park School has engaged the national executive search firm Educational Directions to assist with the search. Candidates should submit all materials below as soon as possible, but not before first speaking with our search professional:
Renata Rafferty renata.rafferty@edudx.com
Electronic submission of materials is required. Please send the following materials as ONE consolidated file in PDF format. Reference letters are not requested or required, but if included should be submitted separately from the consolidated file.
INTERESTED AND QUALIFIED CANDIDATES SHOULD SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING:
- Cover letter of interest indicating how your knowledge, qualifications, and experience reflect the needs of Jackson Walnut Park School as outlined in this profile
- Complete resume (including chronological employment history and accomplishments in each position)
- Brief personal statement that includes the candidate’s vision for leading Jackson Walnut Park School
- A minimum of five (5) professional references with current email addresses and phone numbers (references will not be contacted without prior consent of candidate)