Barrie School seeks candidates for the 2018-2019 school year for the position of Interim Head of Montessori, with employment beginning on July 1, 2018. Established in 1932, Barrie School cultivates intrinsic motivation in students through a progressive and collaborative approach to education.
The school currently serves 300 students in two divisions: Barrie Montessori (18-months to 5th grade) and Barrie Prep (6th to 12th grade). The school is also the home to the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies, a nationally recognized training institute for teachers throughout the region, and Barrie Camp, a day program that serves more than 500 families each summer.
ABOUT THE SCHOOL
Our nationally respected Montessori division encompasses four programs: Toddler (for ages 18 months to age 3), Primary (for ages 3-6), Lower Elementary (grades 1-3), and Upper Elementary (grades 4-5). Overall, Barrie Montessori serves 180 students and employs 30 faculty and staff in stewarding 12 core Montessori classrooms alongside specialist classes in art, music, P.E., Spanish, a newly launched Maker-STEAM initiative, and a vibrant equestrian program.
Barrie is located in Silver Spring, Maryland on 45 acres just outside Washington, D.C. and within one mile of the Metro subway. Our verdant 45-acre campus of open fields, streams, ponds, forests, and stables provides space for learning, play, and exploration. Barrie encourages students to develop their own individual interests and talents through hands-on, experiential learning, which promotes 21st-century outcomes, including:
? Analytical and Creative Thinking and Problem-Solving
? Complex Written and Oral Communication
? Leadership and Teamwork
? Digital and Quantitative Literacy
? Global Perspectives
? Adaptability, Initiative, and Risk-Taking
? Integrity and Ethical Decision-Making
DEFINING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SCHOOL
Barrie enjoys the benefits of an experienced faculty dedicated to the growth and development of each student and one of the most diverse cohorts of student in the United States. Barrie Montessori embraces multi-aged, diverse classrooms; prepared environments designed to facilitate choices for children; teachers acting as role models and facilitators; and an atmosphere of respect, grace, and courtesy. The School culture is based on empowering teachers through collaboration and professional development and an abiding institutional commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. As a leader in Montessori education, the school annually hosts one of the larger school-based Montessori conferences in the country, with approximately 300 administrators and teachers participating from throughout the region.
ABOUT THE POSITION & QUALIFICATIONS
Joining Barrie during an exciting time, the Barrie Montessori Head should feel a passion for implementing a Montessori program informed by leading-edge, research-based pedagogic thinking. The division Head will have the opportunity to collaborate on engaging, intellectually stimulating work that will help shape the future the school while respecting its Montessori foundations.
This full-time position will report to the Head of School and will be a member of the Senior Administrative team. Barrie seeks candidates who are experienced, credentialed Montessori educators who also embrace research-driven, innovative approaches to 21st-century learning and professional development. Both administrative and instructional leadership experience are essential, as the division Head leads an established program staffed by experienced educators as well as Montessori interns. Candidates should possess the ability to work with individual teachers to provide thoughtful guidance and feedback on teaching and to collaborate on crafting professional development. We welcome candidates with background in public and private school settings.
The division Head will work with a diverse group of administrators and teachers, work in close partnership with the Head of School, serve as a key part of the school’s administrative team, and forge a strong partnership with the Head of Barrie Prep. This includes being part of discussions regarding the school’s policies and strategic path, leading efforts to continually refine and improve curriculum, teaching, and learning practices across the school, managing the Montessori budget and finances with the business office, and supporting the continuation of a strong before and after-care program, and summer bridge program.
In addition, the division Head will collaborate closely with the Director of Barrie’s Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies to work as advocates for Barrie’s approach to the Montessori philosophy. This includes helping current and prospective families understand and embrace that approach, driving implementation of best practices, advocating for research- based improvements to the Montessori method, and supporting Barrie as a sought-after learning site for interns. Barrie is also a member of the American Montessori Society, so familiarity with AMS training, practices, and research is essential.
In a diverse school community serving students age 18 months through Grade 12 encompassing a number of key constituencies, the division Head must be a team-builder, advocate, and effective oral communicator and writer. As the “face” of Barrie Montessori, he or she should be able to carefully balance building consensus with taking the initiative to lead on a variety of issues relevant to the Montessori program, the overall school, and the Institute.