Assistant Middle School Director of Academics and Curriculum

The Pingry School, a prestigious K-12 coeducational, independent day school with a rich history dating back to its founding by Dr. John F. Pingry in 1861, stands at the forefront of academic excellence in the United States. With campuses located in Basking Ridge, Pottersville, and Short Hills, New Jersey, Pingry is celebrated for its academic programs, a student-written Honor Code that underpins our community values, and a comprehensive commitment to arts, athletics, community, and civic engagement. Our mission is to inspire in our students a lifelong passion for learning, personal development, and social responsibility, preparing them to be global citizens and luminaries of the 21st century. Rooted in relationships and guided by our foundational philosophy, Pingry is a vibrant community of more than 1,100 students hailing from over 90 towns across New Jersey and New York. At Pingry, we are united by a love of learning and a commitment to preparing students to navigate the complexities of the 21st century with confidence and integrity. For more information, we invite you to visit our website at pingry.org or connect with The Pingry School on Facebook, X, and Instagram to discover why we love school.

Position Summary

The Pingry School seeks a creative, experienced, and forward-thinking leader to guide and support academic innovation and instructional excellence within the Middle School division. Reporting to the Middle School Director, the Assistant Middle School Director of Academics and Curriculum will be responsible for advancing a dynamic academic program that reflects best practices in teaching, learning, and assessment. This 12-month position is pivotal in ensuring alignment with Pingry's academic framework and fostering collaboration among faculty, students, and families.

In this role, the Assistant Director will partner with the Upper School and Lower School academic teams, divisional leadership, and department chairs to ensure curriculum alignment, faculty development, and a seamless academic experience for students across all divisions. Collaboration will be a key element in driving innovation and cohesion in teaching and learning practices at Pingry. This Director will join a strong Middle School leadership team, actively contributing to the strategic vision and operational excellence of the division.

Responsibilities

Curriculum and Pedagogical Leadership

• Articulate and advance evidence-based pedagogy and best practices for middle school students.
• Drive curriculum alignment and progression across grades 6-8, and support transitions between grades 5-6 and 8-9.
• Partner with the Middle School Learning Specialist and Counselor on developing and implementing differentiated instruction and innovative assessment strategies.
• Collaborate with Middle School Department Chairs to design a cohesive academic program that honors the school's mission, recently released strategic plan as well and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
• Partner with the K-12 Academics Team to align the Middle School curriculum with the broader school framework and spearhead curricular and programmatic initiatives.
• Serve on the K-12 Academic Committee and collaborate on K-12 initiatives, including DEIB and experiential education efforts.
  
  

Academic Leadership and Student Support

• Monitor and support students' academic progress, collaborating with faculty and families to address concerns.
• Review report cards and progress memos to identify trends and communicate effectively with stakeholders about academic outcomes.
• Partner with the Dean of Students to uphold academic integrity and foster intellectual engagement.
• Lead efforts to support transitions between Middle School and other divisions, ensuring continuity in the student experience.
  
  

Scheduling and Coordination

• Partner with the Middle School Director and the Middle School Schedule Coordinator to review faculty teaching schedules, class placements, and co-curricular assignments.
• Coordinate standardized testing within the Middle School and work with faculty to ensure effective administration and reporting.
• Work with appropriate leadership to review student testing.
  
  

Community Building and Family Engagement

• Partner with faculty to design and deliver a program that fosters inclusivity and intellectual curiosity.
• Communicate effectively with families regarding academics, including report cards, conferences, and other curricular communication.
• Build and strengthen connections among faculty, students, and parents to foster a cohesive and supportive community.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• At least five years of teaching experience, preferably at the middle school level, and at least three years of leadership experience.
• Strong understanding of adolescent development and middle school pedagogy.
• Proven success in curriculum development, faculty mentoring, and student assessment.
• Excellent leadership and project management skills, with the ability to facilitate collaboration across grade levels and disciplines.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, committed to building an inclusive and equitable school community.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and execute initiatives effectively.
• Proficient in using the Google Suite of applications (Gmail, Google Drive, Google Calendar, etc.) and comfortable incorporating technology into workflow, including tools like Google Classroom and Zoom.
• Commitment to the mission, vision, and pillars of the Pingry School, including a commitment to DEIB and the requisite skills to work cross-functionally with diverse constituency groups across the organization.
  
  

The Pingry School is committed to fostering an inclusive, innovative, and collaborative learning environment. The Assistant Middle School Director of Academics and Curriculum plays a critical role in inspiring students, faculty, and families to achieve excellence in teaching and learning while embracing the school's core values of honor, character, intellectual engagement, diversity, and stewardship.

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply online at https://www.pingry.org/careers.

The Pingry School aspires to be an anti-racist community and is committed to the principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Pingry is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The Pingry School's employment policy is that individuals will receive equal opportunity in all matters pertaining to recruitment, employment, salary, promotion, and assignment, regardless of race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy status, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or status as a covered veteran, or other basis proscribed by federal, state, and local law. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need.