Daystar Academy, an IB continuum school in the city of Chicago, serves students in primary, middle school and high school. We are looking for a highly qualified Director of Middle School & High School Programs for the 2024-2025 school year.
Why Daystar Academy?
Compelling Mission: Empower students to positively impact the world through a faith-based, culturally-engaged, globally-minded education.
World Class Location: Based in the South Loop neighborhood of Chicago near the bustling Loop city center and world-renowned institutions such as the Art Institute, Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium.
Legacy of Excellence: Teach at a school with a reputation for academic excellence, spiritual dedication and commitment to diversity.
Vibrant, Diverse Community: Engage with a supportive community of parents, staff, and students who represent and embrace all the diversity Chicago has to offer.
Supportive Environment: Benefit from a dedicated staff, care for your well-being, and professional development opportunities.
Title: Director of Middle and High School Programs
Job Type: Interim Full-Time On-site Position
Reports to: Head of School
Required: Five years of full-time, paid, professional educational experience, three of which have been as a Principal or Assistant Principal, educational administrator, or other leadership position at the elementary, middle, or secondary school level; At least five years of instructional coaching or providing formal evaluations to teachers and other support staff
Preferred: Knowledge of the International Baccalaureate program
Work Days/Hours: 7:30am-3:30pm Monday-Wednesday, Friday; Thursday 7:30am- 4:30pm. The position may require some weekend and evening hours
All Staff Responsibilities:
Provide a safe school environment, indoors and out, per directives regarding building operations (keys, fobs, alarm codes), the Daystar Distinctives and Responsive Classroom practices
Participate in staff prayer to start the day at 7:35 sharp on Monday through Thursday in the Gathering Place
Participate in school engagement events to promote positive school culture
Complete arrival and dismissal duties as assigned
Fulfill essential job functions based on one’s specific job description; and during times of school drills or emergencies, assist others as able
Be on time, appropriately dressed and ready for work at assigned days/times
Adhere to all of the requirements outlined in the Staff Handbook and comply with the school policies
Be an excellent ambassador of Daystar Academy at all times
Job Summary:
The Director of Middle and High School Programs serves as the curricular, instructional, and professional learning leader of the middle and high school programs and is responsible for the development of all phases of the middle and high school programs. In addition, the Director of the Middle and High School Programs is an integral part of making our students feel valued, known, and cared for and lives out the Daystar mission of empowering our students to positively impact the world through a faith-based, culturally-engaged, globally-minded education.
Essential Job Functions Relative to Role as Interim Director of Middle and High School Programs:
Collaborate with the Head of School and Director of Human Resources to recruit, hire, and support excellent teachers who:
Represent Daystar’s socioeconomic diversity
Embrace Daystar’s mission and vision
Look forward to teaching according to Daystar’s Statement of Faith and through the lens of God’s Truth
Already are or will be trained to implement the MYP and/or DP framework and coursework in a way that all Daystar students can be successful
Collaborate with the Head of School and Director of Operations in establishing and working within a budget that matches expenses with income related to MS and HS enrollment
Provide direction and oversight of MS and HS curriculum and instruction ensuring each teacher adequately plans for and implements the requirements of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), Common Core State Standards and science standards, Daystar’s faith integration strands, and meet Daystar’s expectations related to active learning and out-of-school experiences (LEs)
Oversee the work of the IB Coordinator
Oversee the work of the Director of Student Life and the Student Support Services department (grades preschool through 12), this includes supervision of the coordination of SEL development, restorative justice practices and IEPs, 504s and ISPs
Oversee the coordination of the Post Secondary program, which includes the management of documentation needed for post secondary planning (i.e. teachers' letters of recommendations and transcripts)
Provide targeted coaching for department coordinators to strengthen instructional leadership and curriculum alignment
Establish clear communication channels for ongoing support, feedback, and collaborative problem-solving with coordinators
Develop a framework for coordinators to mentor teachers in best practices, classroom management, and student engagement
Provide specific instructional feedback and coaching through regular classroom observations
Conduct formal evaluations of teachers and other support staff
Implement regular data analysis cycles to assess student progress and identify instructional gaps
Lead data-focused meetings with MS/HS teachers to set measurable goals for student achievement and tailor strategies for improvement
Utilize assessment data to inform resource allocation, curriculum adjustments, and intervention planning
Design and schedule regular professional development sessions based on identified instructional needs and school-wide goals
Coordinate opportunities for teachers to engage in peer observations, collaborative planning and reflective practices
Facilitate access to external workshops, webinars and conferences that align with school priorities and teaching best practices
Maintain accurate records of MS/HS staff absences; create a plan for MS/HS teaching coverage among colleagues when Office Manager is unable to secure outside substitute teachers
Provide feedback to the admissions team on new student applications for the MS and HS
Work with the admissions team to coordinate potential student visits and shadow days
Work with the admissions team to recruit MS and HS students, including school fairs, open houses, tours, and other marketing opportunities
Oversee the coordination and review MS and HS progress reports, ensuring they correctly reflect student ability and are distributed as scheduled
Ensure regular communication between MS and HS teachers, parents and students, including a timely and accurate reflection of student expectations and progress through platforms such as Toddle, Renweb, parent-teacher conferences, and as needed meetings called for a particular academic concern or crisis
Oversee the coordination of required assessments and standardized testing of MS and HS students including reporting to students, parents, and outside agencies as appropriate and required
In collaboration with the MS and HS teaching teams, develop, implement, and maintain disciplinary and restorative responses for tier 1 interventions
Work with the Director of Lower School for implementation of Title 1 supports, including referrals, scheduling, tracking, parent involvement, and fine arts
Approve Learning Excursions and Learning Expeditions, ensuring they meet budget as well as Daystar policies and expectations
Manage MS and HS classroom-related issues and concerns with students or parents
Work with the Director of Operations to order curriculum and supplies needed for program operations and consistent with budget allotments
Provide oversight of arrival and dismissal routines and duties for MS and HS
Provide leadership for MS and HS engagement events to promote positive school culture
All other duties as assigned by the Head of School
Essential Functions Relative to Member of Daystar’s Administrative Team:
Provide reports to the Daystar Board as requested
Serve on schoolwide committees as requested
Participate in and assist with planning and implementation of staff-wide professional development
Participate in regular Administrative Team meetings, providing counsel and insight on areas impacting the school as a whole
Participate in planning and management of schoolwide events including but not limited to back to school parent and student events, parent-teacher conferences, holiday programs, learning showcase nights (lead for MS/HS), athletic banquets, middle and high school special events (lead), and 8th and 12th grade graduation ceremonies (lead)