Benefits:
401(k)
401(k) matching
Dental insurance
Health insurance
Paid time off
Parental leave
Vision insurance
The Co-op School was founded in 2003 by a group of parents who saw the need for a high-quality and affordable preschool option in the Clinton Hill and Fort Greene neighborhoods. Since then, the Co-op School has matured from a small, parent-run playgroup to a fully staffed and licensed non-profit school.
After residing in two prior homes in Clinton Hill, The Co-op School moved into 87 Irving Place in the fall of 2009. In 2011, The Co-op School launched the first kindergarten class of its elementary program at 40 Brevoort Place. In 2019, we opened our doors at 644 Gates Avenue in the Bedford Stuyvesant neighborhood—in a 3,500-square-foot building with a double-height gym, a rooftop library, and two playgrounds—housing our preschool, lower school, and middle school students under one roof.
OUR MISSION
The mission of The Co-op School is to inspire passion and teach children to become protagonists in their own educational journey by fostering their innate sense of curiosity and creativity. The Co-op School facilitates joyful learning through a unique and rigorous constructivist approach that listens to and honors the individual interests and strengths of each child. The Co-op School doesn’t just belong to the students and educators but extends to the family community as a whole. It belongs to those who participate in it and is a more resilient and creative place because of it.
JOB SUMMARY
The Co-op School seeks a dynamic educational leader to serve as its inaugural Director of Institutional Equity and Belonging. The successful candidate will be an experienced DEIB practitioner devoted to the school’s unique mission and programs, with a focus on working towards our antiracist Core Value. The Director will report to the Head of School and work closely with administration, faculty, students, and families to ensure that our community continually evaluates and employs equitable and inclusive practices across the school’s curriculum, structures, and policies. As part of the senior leadership team, the Director will partner across all constituencies of the school to develop, implement, and monitor progress on strategic initiatives that work to dismantle inequities and create an inclusive environment throughout The Co-op School’s academic and structural operations.
Serve as both a proactive and responsive leader who will centralize the equity work being done across the school.
Design and disseminate surveys/assessments that uncover student, faculty, and family experiences and needs as relate to identity issues.
Work with other senior leaders to:
resolve identity-based conflicts/issues that arise
set and evaluate policies and practices so that they reflect the school’s equity goals
● In consultation with Division Heads, develop clear curricular DEIB progressions, and meet with teachers regularly.
Continue to build and maintain partnerships with community-based organizations.
Ensure that activities, communications, and programs reflect The Co-op School’s mission of maintaining an equitable and inclusive community.
Work with the Director of Finance and Operations and the Director of Human Resources to:
ensure equitable hiring and disciplinary practices
improve the retention of BIPOC faculty members
Lead weekly workshops for 5th-8th grade students
Lead multiple faculty trainings throughout the year
Lead multiple parent workshops throughout the year
Partner with the Board’s DEI committee on strategic initiatives
QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate possesses:
The ability to create, articulate, and move toward a bold vision while engaging a wide range of stakeholders collaboratively and empathetically.
A demonstrated ability to identify needs, take initiative, and engage partners in strategic change.
Knowledge of best practices in equity and belonging work; demonstrated experience in presenting and leading such work with community members whose understanding and journeys span a range.
A pragmatic yet excited view about the opportunities and challenges inherent to doing equity work in a small independent school.
A sense of humor that they bring with them to work each day.
Flexibility of mind and the ability to shift gears as needed.
Demonstrated experience in developing equity and belonging strategy and effecting change.
Highly effective communication skills: an inclination to listen to understand; clear and compelling written and verbal skills.
An empathic, self-assured, and strong leadership style with the ability to work with broad constituencies in an approachable, optimistic, and collaborative manner.
A systems-thinker with excellent organizational skills, strong attention to detail, and consistent follow through.
An inclusive, transparent, and trusted decision-maker.
An educator at heart and in practice.
Technical qualifications:
Bachelor's degree required (advanced degree in related field a plus).
A minimum of three year’s experience in an independent school setting.
TO APPLY:
Interested and qualified candidates should submit (preferably in separate PDFs) the following materials:
A cover letter expressing interest in this particular position
A current and comprehensive résumé
Writing samples: 2 pieces geared towards different constituencies
A list of five professional references with the name, relationship, phone number, and email address of each (references will not be contacted without the candidate’s permission)
All materials should be sent electronically to Evelyn Espinoza, Director of Human Resources at evelyn@thecoopschool.org. The cover letter should be addressed to Chloe Smith and Christie Gallagher.
Annual Salary: The salary range for this position is $95,000 - $120,000. The position on the scale will be based on years of teaching experience and education.
Level: Full-time Administrative Position (Non-Union)
Start Date: As Soon as Possible
The Co-op School COVID-19 Vaccination Policy:
We appreciate your interest in employment at The Co-op School. We would like to note that the School has a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy, which requires all faculty and staff to be fully vaccinated. Proof of vaccination is required.
The Co-op School is an equal-opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, creed, color, citizenship, national origin or ancestry, religion or religious practices, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, prior arrest or conviction record, genetic predisposition or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local laws. Our policy extends to all employment practices including but not limited to, hiring, transfer, promotion, training, compensation, benefits, lay-offs, and termination.