Associate Director of the Early Childhood School

Description

Position/Title:   Associate Director of the Early Childhood School 

Appointment:   School Year 2025/2026

Reports To:   Director of Early Childhood - Grade 5 

Laurel School seeks talented faculty and staff who will put our students first and strive to make a difference in their lives.  We seek to attract faculty and staff who thrive on being engaged participants in our community and are committed to developing young women as authentic learners and leaders.  The most successful candidates are solutions-driven, are willing to listen to learn, embrace iteration and practice as a necessary part of the product, see opportunities before problems, and thrive in a fast-paced, forward-thinking educational environment. Laurel lives our mission: to inspire each girl to fulfill her promise and to better the world.  

Position Summary

Laurel School seeks an innovative, collaborative and inspiring leader to serve as the Associate Director of the Early Childhood School effective July 1, 2025.

The Associate Director of the Early Childhood sets the tone and oversees Laurel’s early childhood program from Early Learners to Pre-Kindergarten. Together with the Director of Early Childhood - Grade 5, s/he provides leadership, direction, supervision and evaluation for the Early Childhood faculty. S/he oversees daily operations and programs of the division and guides the overall curriculum and pedagogy in the Early Childhood School. As a key member of Laurel’s academic leadership team, the Associate Director of the Early Childhood will work with colleagues to shape and implement school-wide strategic objectives that reflect the school’s mission and values. 

The ideal candidate will lead with integrity, transparency, empathy and humor, keeping the wellbeing of Laurel’s youngest students always at the center. S/he will be an excellent communicator, a great listener, and a champion of authenticity.   S/he will also be an experienced, passionate educator, with a proven record of leadership and inclusion, who is excited by the opportunity to inspire and shape a division of extraordinary little girls and boys taught by an exceptional faculty.

Duties and responsibilities include:

• Work with the Director of EC-5 to supervise, support, and evaluate faculty,  lead meetings, review faculty communications, oversee budgets, and assist in hiring processes.
• Build relationships with families through the Admissions process, weekly newsletters, and parent coffees.
• Support families, faculty, and children regarding learning and/or behavioral issues; consult with psychologists to collaborate.
• Implement best practices in Early Childhood education and oversee licensure for the division.
• Serve on the school’s academic leadership team.
• Participate in, lead, and support school-wide initiatives and work.
• Teach and assist in Early Childhood classrooms two to three afternoons per week. 
• Support classrooms and substitute when needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

The ideal candidate will have an advanced degree, at least 3 years of relevant experience and a dedication to continuous personal and professional growth. S/he should be highly committed to early childhood education.  The successful candidate will possess a positive attitude, excellent written and verbal skills, strong organizational skills, and proven success within a work setting that requires collaboration, cooperation, and collegiality.  The candidate must possess or acquire and maintain a State of Ohio issued teaching certificate or non-tax certificate.  The school welcomes the opportunity to continue to find ways to diversify our faculty.

Salary

Laurel offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package.

To Apply

Please see www.laurelschool.org for further information and a job application. 

Work Environment

Laurel School is a dynamic, forward-thinking, K-12 girls’ school with a co-ed early childhood division, where every child is well known. 

Laurel enjoys an outstanding local and national reputation and is home to the Laurel Center for Research on Girls. In a highly competitive school landscape, Laurel is fortunate to be a school of choice in Cleveland. Our emphasis on the whole child and our legacy of excellence in the teaching of girls set us apart. Located in Shaker Heights, OH (15 minutes from downtown Cleveland) with an additional rural campus 17 minutes away, the school has a suburban/rural advantage. The work environment is noted for being family-friendly and flexible. The feeling in the school is joyous, collaborative and innovative. Our curricular philosophy emphasizes community-based, interdisciplinary and experiential learning. Collaboration and reflective practice are key to pedagogy at Laurel. The school is fully committed to a culturally diverse faculty and student body. 

Laurel School is dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities to all personnel and applicants for employment without regard to race; color; religion; sex; gender identity; national origin; handicap or disability; sexual orientation; or status as a veteran, Vietnam era, or special disabled veteran.