Head of Lower Elementary School, Grades N-2

Greenwich Country Day School is an independent, co-educational day school with a current enrollment of over 1400 students in grades N-12, and a faculty and staff of over 350. The original Old Church Road campus is home to grades N-8. The High School, established in 2019, is located less than two miles away on Stanwich Road. Founded in 1926, Greenwich Country Day School is a family school where innovative teaching is encouraged as teachers model and foster a love of learning, challenge and inspire children toward academic excellence, and cultivate students’ interests and talents outside of the classroom. We value purposeful and personal learning in a joyful environment, with emphasis on the development of character, creativity, and a sense of personal value along with strong academic skills. GCDS is committed to graduating ethical, confident leaders who possess a strong sense of purpose.

Greenwich Country Day School seeks a Head of Lower Elementary School, Grades N-2, to start July 1, 2025. With a current enrollment of 386 students, the Lower Elementary School is housed on the Old Church Road campus. The Head of the Lower Elementary School reports to the Head of School and is a member of the senior administrative team. 

The ideal candidate for this position is a dynamic educational leader with deep expertise in early childhood and primary education. They will bring a strong understanding of curricular frameworks and experience leading age-appropriate pedagogy, ensuring that every child is known, nurtured, and challenged. With a growth mindset and a commitment to continuous improvement, they will navigate change with a strategic vision while remaining adaptable to the evolving needs of students, faculty, and families. Strong leadership, coupled with highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, will be essential in fostering a collaborative and inclusive school culture.

The successful candidate will build meaningful relationships with faculty and students, ensuring they feel seen and valued, while also partnering closely with parents in both formal and informal settings. This role requires an empathetic and self-motivated leader who can think both strategically and tactically, balancing big-picture vision with the day-to-day demands of a vibrant school community.

In partnership with the Assistant Lower Elementary Division Head, the successful candidate will:

Mission & Community Leadership

• Clearly articulate and uphold the school’s Mission and Guiding Principles to students, faculty, families, staff, and the broader community.
• Champion the school’s educational philosophy and initiatives, cultivating a dynamic and supportive learning environment.
• Lead a joyful, energetic, and inclusive Lower Elementary School where every student, faculty member, and family feels a deep sense of belonging.
• Serve as a visible and engaged leader for students, faculty, and parents, fostering a strong sense of community, culture, and school spirit.

Relationship-Driven Leadership

• Build strong, trusting partnerships with parents/guardians through clear communication, regular engagement opportunities, and a commitment to fostering a collaborative home-school connection.
• Communicate effectively in writing and public speaking, engaging parents, faculty, and the broader school community through clear, transparent, and compelling communication in both formal and informal settings.
• Design and facilitate collaborative decision-making processes that engage faculty, students, families, and staff.
• Create opportunities for healthy critique, promoting an open and constructive dialogue that drives improvement.
• Actively engage with and respond to the needs of students, faculty, families, and staff with enthusiasm and empathy.

Academic & Instructional Leadership

• Collaborate with key stakeholders to align and enhance academic programs, ensuring a cohesive, experiential, and developmentally appropriate learning experience for all students.
• Champion a school culture that prioritizes students’ social and emotional development, fostering resilience, empathy, and positive peer relationships.
• Support the recruitment, onboarding, and professional growth of faculty, fostering a collaborative culture of continuous learning and instructional excellence.
• Build and sustain professional learning teams, fostering a culture of shared expertise, continuous growth, and instructional excellence.
• Direct, supervise, and evaluate faculty using the GCDS growth goal process, providing meaningful feedback and professional development.
• Analyze student academic data (e.g., reading running records, report card grades, summative assessment trends) to inform instructional decisions and design strategic interventions.

Operational & Logistical Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily operations of the Lower Elementary Division to ensure a smooth and effective learning environment.
• Develop and manage annual schedules for all Lower Elementary teachers, ensuring effective coordination between homeroom and specialist educators.
• Help coordinate and implement safety and security procedures for the division.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Education
• Passion for developing a forward-thinking curriculum that will prepare our students for leadership in the 21st century
• Commitment to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive school community
• Comprehensive understanding of the developmental and emotional needs of students
• Outstanding leadership skills and the ability to inspire a team of diverse and dedicated educators
• Ability to work collaboratively as a member of a school leadership team
• Cultural competency skills to successfully collaborate across difference
• A commitment to education of the whole child that incorporates the arts, athletics, character development, and anti-bias education along with academics
• A passion for learning and the ability to motivate and inspire students
• Personal traits appropriate for nurturing the growth of children - must be energetic, creative, flexible, patient, and have an inexhaustible sense of humor

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