Headmaster

DIVINE MERCY ACADEMY HEADMASTER POSITION DESCRIPTION

Divine Mercy Academy is an independent private day school in the Catholic tradition for children in Kindergarten through Eighth Grade.  The evangelization of our children in the fullest form of Catholicism is central to our mission.

Our Purpose:

Our purpose is to know, love, and serve God and to form others to joyfully do the same

Our Mission:

The mission of Divine Mercy Academy is to partner with parents in their role as primary educators to help students to flourish as disciples of Jesus Christ.  Through a Catholic liberal arts education, we foster a love for truth, beauty, and goodness.  Under the patronage of Our Lady, we aim to form Saints and Scholars to live freely and joyfully in accordance with the truth revealed by God through nature and the Catholic Church.

Our Vision:

Divine Mercy Academy contributes to a renaissance of the Catholic intellectual tradition and a renewal of the Catholic Church with on-fire, faithful families, strengthening our Church and Nation as a whole.

Our Core Values:

Upholding the Family
Encounter with Jesus Christ
Joyful Catholic Devotion
Awe and Wonder
Classical Excellence
Courage to Flourish

The Attributes of a DMA Headmaster:

Exemplify and articulate a life of faith in Christ.
Be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Catholic Church
Be joyful
Have a passion for evangelization
Be committed to academic excellence.
Have strong leadership abilities and excellent people management skills.
Be in enthusiastic agreement with the philosophy of Divine Mercy Academy as articulated in the Purpose, Mission, and Vision statements.
Be willing to work shoulder to shoulder with the school’s Board of Directors to craft and carry out policies that enhance and sustain the effectiveness of the school.
Love working with people
Have good organizational skills
Direct Student Support Team to meet diverse student academic needs
Be collegial and have a mindset of collaboration with the Board and staff at appropriate levels in the decision-making process.
Possess superior written and oral communication skills.
Be willing to work closely with parents in the education of their children.
Be committed to continuing, life-long learning.
Have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree.

The ideal candidate should:

Be knowledgeable about a classical curriculum and a liberal arts education
Have experience in an Independent Catholic Classical School
Have administrative experience
Have leadership experience
Summary

The Board of Directors appoints the Headmaster of Divine Mercy Academy. A strong, collaborative relationship between the Headmaster and the Board as well as the staff is a requirement. The Headmaster of Divine Mercy Academy leads the school in full accordance with its purpose, mission, vision and core values. The Headmaster carries out his or her role in the actualization of the Strategic Plan.

Primary Responsibilities and Duties

Excellence in Catholic Faith Life

Work with teachers to continuously seek to enrich the faith life of the students and staff to continuously draw them into a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Ensure the education in and practice of the Catholic Faith remains primary in the mission of the school
Lead the school in the practice of the faith by setting the standard and upholding it at nothing less than aiming for sainthood.

Curriculum and Academic Excellence

Oversee adherence to and changes to curriculum to ensure the school deepens its commitment to and excellence in the practice of Classical Liberal education.
Track school progress to ensure we are achieving and maintaining academic excellence.
Maintaining compliance with all state Department of Education licensing requirements.
Review report cards
Meet weekly or bi-weekly with tutors
Responsibility for annual calendar and daily schedules and to present them to the board for final approval.
Lead school accreditation process

Instruction

In conjunction with the board, provide input on faculty hiring, evaluation, rehires, terminations.
Conduct regular classroom observations and provide feedback and mentorship to faculty members as part of the evaluation process.
Oversee Tutor development to ensure teachers are well trained in classical pedagogy and continuing to grow.
Review tutor lesson plans
Oversee New tutor orientation and mentor programs
Oversee Resource support
Approving Leave requests
Plan and lead faculty and staff meetings
Liaise for Parents and Tutors at IEP meetings

Student Life and Discipline

Administer school policies through Parent-teacher handbooks and other related documentation as crafted in conjunction with the Board.
Ensure policies are communicated and enforced.
Ensure a safe, orderly environment that encourages students to take responsibility for behavior and creates high morale among staff and students.
Administer Virtue/Discipline program

Parent Communications

Ensure ample joyful communication – in person and electronic – with parents.
Meet with parents regarding student discipline and academic issues.
To participate in DMA family nights
To participate in the Catholic Cultural Association (DMA’s Parent-Teacher Association)
MC School events

Other School Operations

Prepare, gain approval of and manage the annual budget and financial viability of the school.
Oversee selection and evaluation of vendors (software, textbooks, other services).
Responsible for maintaining the mission and traditions of the school, and ensuring fidelity to the Magisterium.
Approve and provide oversight to extra curricular activities and programs.
Oversee Title Programs

Applicants should submit:

·        A resume of the relevant training and work experience

·        The names and contact information of three former direct-reports and two former supervisors as well as one pastoral reference.

·        A cover letter (not exceeding 2 pages) describing your love of the Catholic faith, knowledge of a classical education, and key relevant work experience. The salary is competitive.

Divine Mercy Academy

℅ Board of Directors

deacon.cliff.andersson@gmail.com

www.divinemercy.md