The Opportunity
George Walton Academy is seeking an experienced independent or Christian school administrator as its next Lower School Division Head. Reporting to the Head of School, this experienced and energetic educator will be part of the senior leadership team and work closely with the Assistant Head of School, Dean of Students, Director of School Counseling, and Director of Student Support.
The Lower School Division Head is the visionary, inspirational, academic and faculty and staff leader of a thriving K-3 - grade 5 program of 325 students and more than 40 employees. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in administration, be an excellent communicator orally and in writing, and have a deep working knowledge of developmentally appropriate curriculum, pedagogy and child development. He or she will be the consummate cheerleader for students, parents and faculty, building a warm, inviting school culture of love and trust.
Mission Statement
George Walton Academy (GWA) provides challenging instruction, engaging experiences, and global perspectives designed to inspire lives of intellectual curiosity, integrity, and purpose.
GWA is an independent, Pre-K-12, independent, college-preparatory school located on 62 beautiful acres in Monroe, Georgia, less than one hour from the state capitol of Atlanta. About George Walton Academy
George Walton Academy (GWA) provides challenging instruction, engaging experiences and global perspectives designed to inspire lives of intellectual curiosity, integrity and purpose.
Along with a strong academic program, small class sizes and robust extracurricular opportunities to fit each individual student's talents and passions, GWA offers a welcoming and inclusive environment that prepares students to meet their postsecondary academic goals as well as to make meaningful and lasting contributions to their communities.
Founded over 50 years ago and named for one of Georgia's three signers of the Declaration of Independence, GWA has grown to a campus of 60 acres in the heart of Monroe and serves almost 800 students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade from 11 counties and 34 ZIP codes. GWA is committed to supporting all students in their pursuits of academics, athletics and the arts as well as developing the soft skills required for interpersonal relationships, communication, problem solving and collaboration. GWA is a community where the highly qualified faculty and staff are valued, families find supportive connections and students thrive.
Life In Monroe
Monroe is in Walton County, conveniently located just an hour east of downtown Atlanta and 30 minutes southwest of Athens, home to the University of Georgia. The idyllic downtown with its tree-lined streets attracts visitors and residents alike to enjoy shopping, dining and strolling. As of 2021, Monroe's population was 15,264 and Walton County's population was 85,754, which contributes to the small-town atmosphere yet thriving business community. Monroe's rich history includes the claim of being the "City of Governors: as it is the hometown to seven governors of Georgia and one of Texas. With its historic downtown and wide range of cultural and recreational activities, Monroe is know as "one of Georgia's most civic-minded and cultural smaller cities."
Essential Responsibilities:
Implement and exemplify, in words and deeds, the mission statement and core values of George Walton Academy.
Take responsibility overseeing the daily operation of the lower school.
Communicate frequently and proactively to preschool and lower school parents in both writing and speaking to small and larger groups. Maintain an open-door policy with parents, faculty and families.
Advocate for the lower division while working collaboratively with the school's K-12 leadership team to establish and execute broader institutional goals.
Promote a school climate that is supportive of faculty and has strong morale.
Make recommendations to the assistant head and head of school regarding the hiring, retention, and assignment of faculty and staff.
Lead regular gatherings of parents, student assemblies and faculty meetings.
Commit to being visible and accessible to all, including faculty, staff, students, parents, alumni, and visitors to campus.
Work closely with the Admissions Office in reviewing student applications and meeting with and touring prospective families.
Meet and coordinate with other division heads to ensure mission clarity and academic and program consistency across divisions.
Maintain a comprehensive calendar of school events and keep the community informed of various lower school programs and activities.
Be knowledgeable and able to articulate leading trends in preschool and K-5 independent education.
Review and evaluate all academic and specialized programs in the lower school, including horizontal and vertical curricular alignment and flow.
Faculty:
Observe, supervise, and evaluate Lower School faculty. Serve as a consultant to teachers in the matters of classroom management, teaching methods, and general school procedures.
Partner with the dean of students and director of learning support to support students social and emotional needs and to enforce disciplinary policies.
Ensure teachers are familiar with and adhere to school policies in all areas of school operation.
Foster a professional, respectful, and appreciative environment that values the contributions of all team members.
Build trusting relationships with faculty and staff, identifying their needs and strengths, and supporting their work while holding them accountable.
Interview and recommend prospective teaching candidates to the head of school.
Be a champion of training and professional development for faculty.
Students:
Be actively involved in student life in both the preschool and lower school.
Maintain academic records for all students. Oversee the grading and the reporting of standards and methods used by teachers to measure student achievement.
Observe and evaluate individual students displaying academic difficulties and collaborate with their teachers to assess their learning strengths and challenges.
Follow child safety and reporting requirements in the case of suspected child abuse or neglect.
Other Duties or Responsibilities:
Attend conferences and professional development events to remain current with educational trends and best practices.
Facilitate parent education programs.
Assist in the planning and the presentation of school assemblies and programs.
Attend appropriate school functions, including evening and weekend events.
Requirements:
The ideal candidate will have a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in educational leadership or school administration
Possess 3- 5 years' experience as an administrative leader, preferably in an academically rigorous independent school
Possess a strong understanding of the developmental and educational needs of elementary-aged students
Proven success working collaboratively with administrators and teachers
Qualifications & Personal Attributes:
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
A motivated, high energy and humble educational leader who gains energy by being with students and teachers.
An excellent team player who brings solutions to problems.
Ability to balance and manage many tasks while maintaining a sense of humor.
Does not take him or herself too seriously.
Compensation & Benefits
This is a full-time position. Salary range will be commensurate with candidate's qualifications, skills and experience. GWA offers competitive benefits including 50% tuition remission for children of employees.
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