Middle School Director and Secondary Schools Advisor 12 month Salary $90,000 - $115,000 Start date: July 1, 2026 General Purpose The Middle School Director is a key academic and community leader who ensures a cohesive, engaging, and developmentally responsive experience for students in grades 5–8. In partnership with the Head of School, administrative team, faculty, and families, the Director oversees all aspects of the middle school program - academic, social-emotional, and secondary school advising - ensuring these interconnected areas are thoughtfully aligned to support the mission and progressive teaching philosophy of Lesley Ellis School. To do this work well, the director must skillfully manage and integrate multiple dimensions of middle school life, drawing on a deep understanding of adolescent development and learning. The Director champions best practices and innovative approaches to teaching and learning, cultivates a positive and inclusive school culture, and fosters strong connections among students, families, and faculty. Reports to: Head of School Key Responsibilities Leadership & Alignment - Provide overall leadership and day-to-day management of the middle school, ensuring alignment with the school’s philosophy and broader strategic priorities.
- Serve as a visible, approachable presence within the middle school community, engaging regularly with students and teachers.
- Collaborate with the Head of School and other program directors to maintain consistency and continuity across programs.
- Participate in administrative meetings and contribute to cross-divisional initiatives.
Faculty Oversight & Professional Growth - Recruit, hire, mentor, and evaluate middle school faculty and staff in collaboration with the academic and administrative teams.
- Support teachers’ professional growth through feedback, coaching, and goal setting to ensure instructional excellence.
- Lead productive and inclusive faculty meetings and professional learning inquiries that support collaboration and reflection.
- Coordinate scheduling, onboarding, and professional support for all middle school faculty.
- Foster a collegial environment that encourages innovation, shared learning, and high professional standards.
Student Experience & Support - Oversee all aspects of the student experience, ensuring each student is known, valued, and appropriately challenged.
- Partner with counselors, teachers, and families to support student well-being and address academic or social concerns.
- Lead with a restorative approach to discipline, emphasizing growth, reflection, and accountability.
- Promote a culture of inclusion, belonging, and respect throughout the middle school community.
Curriculum & Academic Oversight - Collaborate with other program directors to maintain a cohesive, engaging, and developmentally appropriate curriculum.
- Oversee academic scheduling and assessments, and track data over time about student performance across the program.
- Encourage best practices in teaching, including differentiation, student-centered learning, and critical thinking.
- Ensure a robust, engaging curriculum that promotes academic challenge and curiosity while meeting the needs of a wide range of learners.
- Uphold the school’s commitment to anti-bias education
- Engage in ongoing curricular review to ensure it remains relevant and engaging in an ever-changing world
- Oversee student use of technology and ensure responsible digital citizenship.
- Review and edit progress reports and grades.
- Create and update policies and procedures for middle school students aligned with the school’s mission and philosophy.
Family & Community Relations - Communicate clearly and thoughtfully with families, maintaining a strong sense of partnership and transparency.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for family questions and concerns related to the middle school experience.
- Help families understand the developmental and academic transitions middle school students experience.
- Represent the middle school at school-wide events and community functions.
- Provide support for family meetings and conferences as needed.
Secondary Schools Guidance - Support families throughout the next school process, beginning in 7th grade
- Develop and lead sessions on the admissions process
- Craft regular communication about upcoming events and open houses, next steps, and other relevant admissions information
- Communicate regularly with families throughout the 8th grade admissions season, ensuring support and guidance are ongoing
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of each applicant
- Craft personalized letters of recommendation for each outgoing student
- Ensure students are prepared for the process (interview practice, SSAT support, application requirements)
- Oversee teacher evaluations
- Organize and upload all needed documentation
- Develop and maintain ongoing relationships with area independent high school admissions personnel, ensuring their understanding of the program and its graduates
Strategic Thought Partnership - Collaborate with admissions and advancement teams on recruitment, retention, and marketing initiatives, including:
- Engagement with Prospective Families: Support the admissions process for middle school applicants by leading or participating in school tours (as needed), attending Open Houses, and representing the middle school at admissions events.
- Admissions Evaluation and Collaboration: Participate in admissions screenings and meetings, provide thoughtful input and feedback on middle school applicants, and conduct applicant assessments as needed.
- Community and Culture Building: Foster a strong, positive middle school culture that reflects the school’s values and is clearly evident to visiting families during tours and admissions events.
- Support the MarCom department on key messaging about the Middle School program; provide regular curricular updates each summer so the website can be updated accordingly.
- Keep the MarCom department informed of key foundational activities, programs, and events in the middle school so they can be highlighted on social media, in promotional materials, and on the website.
- Provide leadership and support for new initiatives that advance the school’s mission.
- Maintain open, direct communication with all members of the school community to foster a positive, productive work environment.
- Model respect for diversity among faculty and students, and promote an inclusive, belonging environment.
- Collaborate with the elementary director to ensure continuity between grades 4 and 5.
- Work with the elementary director to schedule and oversee CTP testing, “Moving Up to 5th” events, and other cross-divisional programming.
- From time to time, new opportunities or needs may arise within the school. Additional responsibilities will be discussed and developed collaboratively with the Head of School to best support the program and community.
Required Attributes - Deep understanding of and enthusiasm for working with middle school students.
- Ability to establish rapport, build relationships, and work collaboratively with all members of the Lesley Ellis community.
- Demonstrated leadership experience with a strong background in classroom teaching, teacher mentoring, and curriculum development.
- Detail-oriented approach with outstanding written, verbal, and public communication skills.
- Teaching experience at the middle school level.
- Knowledge of progressive education and constructivist teaching practices.
- Experience in curriculum development, pedagogy, and faculty professional growth.
- Deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Understanding of integrated curriculum and the development of higher-order thinking skills.
- Creativity, analytical thinking, and sound judgment.
- Strong technology skills.
- Skillful in giving and receiving feedback.
- Collaborative, reflective, and facilitative leadership style.
- Flexibility, energy, patience, adaptability, and a sense of humor.
- Engages fully in the life of the school, modeling professionalism, integrity, and kindness.
- Understands and supports thoughtful, inclusive approaches to change management.
- Listens openly, seeks feedback, and fosters a spirit of teamwork and mutual respect
Qualifications - Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in education, preferred
- 5+ years of experience working with children or adolescents
- Demonstrated leadership experience managing programs and/or teams.
- Deep understanding of progressive education, child development, and social–emotional learning.
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills.
- Proven ability to build trusting relationships with students, families, and colleagues.
- Ability to manage sensitive situations with discretion and maintain confidentiality.
- Commitment to equity, inclusion, culturally responsive practices, and restorative approaches.
- Strong organizational and problem-solving skills; ability to manage multiple programs simultaneously
- Independent school experience strongly preferred.
Please email cover letter and resume to Rhiannon McElwee, Head of School, at rmcelwee@lesleyellis.org |