The Director of the St. Paul’s Episcopal School has the overall responsibility for programs offered to children through the School, including the curriculum and activities, after school enrichment, and camp programs. The Director is employed by St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, reports to the Church Director of Children’s Ministries, and serves under the oversight of and is advised by the St. Paul’s Episcopal School Advisory Council and the Church Vestry, Director of Children’s Ministries, and Rector.

Under the leadership of the Director, St. Paul’s Episcopal School seeks to cultivate critical thinkers with a strong sense of community through opportunities for collaboration, community service, chapel, and a curriculum nurtured by worship in the Episcopal tradition. The Director is charged with building and enhancing a learning environment that allows students to emerge as thoughtful, caring, well-rounded individuals, who are academically prepared for their next endeavor. The Director promotes and oversees a School teaching philosophy that is inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach and centers around educating the whole child and encouraging life-long exploration, compassion, problem-solving, and community engagement by students and all School constituents.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following statement of essential duties and responsibilities is not an exclusive listing.

Advisory Council

1. Serve as an ex-officio member of the School Advisory Council.
2. Serve on School Advisory Council committees (Finance, Scholarship, Nominating, Strategy, etc.) as directed.
3. Ensure communication and implementation of the School Advisory Council’s policies.
4. Communicate the School’s ongoing educational, service, financial, and administrative affairs to the Advisory Council on a regular basis.
5. Chart and pursue a strategic plan for the School and its programs.

Finances

1. Develop and provide School proposals for Church Finance Committee(s) regarding School employee compensation, tuition, scholarships, enrollment, and fundraising expectations.
2. Establish and maintain long-term financial planning for sustainability of the School.
3. Maintain all School programs in sound financial condition.
4. Develop, maintain, and update proposed School budgets.
5. Review monthly financial statements with the Church Finance Committee(s) and other financial advisors of the Church and School as directed.
6. Communicate with the Advisory Council Treasurer regarding financial updates, changes, problems, and related matters.
7. Maintain and oversee any specialized School funding needs and projects (e.g., Buildings and Grounds, Scholarships)
8. Submit proposals to the Advisory Council regarding expenditures for any specialized School funding.

Personnel

1. Hire, train, and support the retention of qualified School educators and staff, including all related personnel activities (e.g., interviewing, engaging new hires, onboarding, performance management, discipline), subject to Church oversight.
2. Develop and maintain a staffing plan and job descriptions that clearly delineate and define position functions for all School programs.
3. Coordinate and oversee the preparation of written personnel policies and procedures for publication in educator and staff manuals subject to review and approval by Church administration.
4. Develop and maintain up-to-date individual personnel files for all School educators and staff.
5. Meet regularly with School educators and staff to direct and delegate chosen initiatives.
6. Complete annual educator and staff performance evaluations.
7. Administer all School contractual agreements and terminations for educators and staff subject to review and approval by Church administration.
8. Provide for an efficient and effective communication system for all educators and staff.
9. Receive, resolve, and take appropriate action responsive to educator and staff grievances, complaints, and problems.
10. Develop a training and onboarding program for newly hired educators and staff.
11. Ensure School educators and staff understand and embrace Episcopal values in their classrooms, student and family engagement, and other work-related activities.

Church Engagement

1. Attend Staff Meetings of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church as scheduled by the Rector and Church administration.
2. Attend meetings with the Church Director of Children’s Ministries, Rector, Vestry, and other Church administration as directed and scheduled.
3. Present School activities, needs, and concerns to Church administration and as otherwise directed.
4. Once a month (or as directed), attend St. Paul’s Episcopal Church worship (Sundays at 9:00 AM-Children & Family Service) to maintain clear and ongoing communication with the Church and Episcopal ethos in School direction.
5. Report to the Church Vestry, as needed.
6. Represent the School, as directed, on various Church committees to promote the School, the mission of the School, and the delivery of an Episcopal education to School students.

Education/Pedagogy

1. Develop programs of study influenced by the practices and principles of Reggio Emilia and the Project Approach to Inquiry, collaborate with educators to execute long range plans, oversee annual curriculum assessment, and adhere to NC Early Learning Standards.
2. Establish a professional development plan and supervise continuing education for educators with growth as the goal.
3. Keep abreast of research and implement new ideas in the School programs.
4. Tailor pedagogy to the unique needs of each age group and mentor educators in their implementation.
5. Hold conferences with educators to ensure implementation of pedagogy planning and child development requirements.
6. Hold conferences with School families regarding future school placement, special education needs, and to provide other family-related School support as needed.
7. Affirm Episcopal values and teachings to ensure all members of the School community are treated equitably, fairly, and respectfully.

Enrollment/Communications/Relationships

1. Manage and oversee student enrollment and related activities for School attendance.
2. Ensure clear and consistent communication to families for each School program through updates, newsletters, parent manuals, parent/educator meetings, parent/director “coffees,” and similar activities
3. Support School families by communicating and working with pediatricians, therapists, neurologists, and education diagnosticians as needed.
4. Counsel with School families and educators who may choose to share with the Director special family situations and/or students’ distinct behavioral, developmental or educational needs.
5. Build and maintain relationships among the wider Winston-Salem school community, the Episcopal Church Schools, other Reggio Emilia-influenced schools.
6. Participate in National Association of Episcopal School (NAES) calls and activities to maintain School presence with NAES.

Daycare Licensing/Accreditation

1. Establish North Carolina child care program licensure status for the School programs as applicable and maintain School adherence to all related compliance standards and expectations.
2. Work with School educators and staff to achieve and maintain School accreditation with the NAES.

Building and Grounds/School Inventory

1. Apply Reggio-Emilia principles of environment to interior and exterior of School space.
2. Communicate with the Advisory Council regarding any changes to the School’s physical plan and seek Vestry approval of changes.
3. Ensure communication between School and Church staff of all maintenance issues.
4. Work with the Church to ensure the School facilities are safe, in good repair, and meet all licensure and accreditation requirements.
5. Ensure open communication and sharing between School educators and Church staff and parishioners engaging in shared use of School facilities and grounds.
6. Work with Church administration in ordering supplies for School facilities and ensure all School supplies/materials meet safety and educational standards.
7. Maintain active and current inventory of the care, location, and quantity of School supplies/materials.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

1. Serve as a role model for children and adults able to show warmth, care, humor, and joy.
2. Inspire, develop, and empower School educators and staff to elevate the leadership profile of the collective group.
3. Maintain a highly visible, accessible, and approachable professional relationship with all School, Church, and community constituents.
4. Serve as a visionary leader and flexible thinker who can lead through change while understanding, respecting, and building upon Episcopal values, teachings, and traditions.
5. Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• B.S. Early Childhood Development/Education or related degree. M. Ed. Administration or related advanced degree preferred.
• Demonstrated professional experience in School administration, supervision, and/or leadership.
• Passion for working with children, educators, and staff to support institutional mission, vision, and values.
• Demonstrated cultural competency and understanding of how diverse backgrounds, experiences, identities, and perspectives enrich the educational environment.
• Demonstrated success recruiting, supervising, and developing high-functioning teams.
• Commitment to high quality education and student development.
• Demonstrated innovation and outreach experience in educational and community settings.
• Demonstrated experience with finance and budgetary management and oversight.
• Demonstrated ability to unite a community around a common vision and strategic plan.
• Commitment to faithfully serve the School, Church, and Winston-Salem community.