Director, Moonstone Preschool

Posted by Moonstone Inc. on November 2, 2015

Moonstone Preschool is part of Moonstone Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1983 with a mission to stimulate education through the arts. Moonstone Inc. consists of a childcentered division, Moonstone Preschool, and an adult-centered division, Moonstone Arts Center. Together, these divisions strive to create unique arts-based opportunities in Philadelphia and reflect Moonstone’s core belief that education is a process that begins in childhood and continues throughout adulthood. Moonstone Preschool provides arts-based early childhood education for children 18 months old through Pre-Kindergarten.

For more information, see http://www.moonstonepreschool.org.

VISION:
Moonstone Preschool is a collaborative, arts-intensive, creatively expressive early childhood educational program that presents a robust curriculum to even our youngest students. Moonstone’s holistic approach to education through the arts creates an
environment that is open-ended, imaginative, and fun and in which children learn through exploring. Drawing on Howard Gardnerʼs theory of multiple intelligences—linguistic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, spatial, mathematical, kinesthetic, musical, and naturalistic—Moonstone’s curriculum uses thematic approaches to create an understanding of the diverse ways we approach everything. Through daily practice, Moonstone seeks to provide each child with a fun, loving, arts-based setting that can be tailored to allow them to learn in the ways that they are most comfortable.

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR THE NEXT DIRECTOR:
The next Director of Moonstone Preschool will play a leading role in taking an already great school forward, engaging committed parents, faculty, staff, and board members, as we create new opportunities for children to experience learning in a progressive, artsfocused, early education environment. One of Moonstone’s important resources is its continuity. Moonstone’s most recent director, Kim Carter, served in that role for five years, and before that was a teacher at Moonstone for more than five years alongside former director and founder Sandy Robin. Both Sandy and Kim worked with many longtime faculty and staff who have all, together, continually shaped and nurtured Moonstone’s curriculum. The next director must be someone who can draw on this tradition to expertly guide the complex and dynamic curriculum while inspiring the school community and embracing the joys, excitement, and challenges of how children “create, learn, and grow.”

Moonstone’s success has not gone unnoticed—the school wishes that it could serve more of the many eager parents seeking to have their children fill Moonstone’s available openings each year. And indeed, Center City seems to be experiencing a “demographic wave” of more (and more) families choosing to stay in the City with their school-aged and preschool-aged children, as predicted by the Center City District in a 2011 report. Moonstone’s applicant pool reflects that trend, and the next director will play an active role in exploring the Preschool’s diverse opportunities for growth.

Moonstone Preschool requires an experienced administrator who can effectively and efficiently oversee the operation of the school and who is also versed in and believes in progressive education and the power of imagination.

POSITION SUMMARY; PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND PERSONAL QUALITIES
The Director of Moonstone Preschool provides the programmatic, curricular, administrative, and financial leadership for the school and is responsible for all aspects of organizing and managing the school in a safe, positive, productive, and professional manner, while upholding and cultivating its mission and vision. The successful candidate will be an experienced educator who actively embraces the mission, vision, and philosophy of the school. The successful candidate will be approachable, collaborative, and eager to engage in genuine ways with students, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni. The position offers the right candidate an opportunity to lead a team of committed teachers, staff, families and board members in the school’s day-to-day operations and participate in defining its future. The Director is appointed by and reports to the Moonstone Inc. Board of
Directors.

Principal Duties
o Carries out the overall mission, goals, and philosophy of Moonstone Preschool
o Oversees the business and educational operations of the school
o Responsible for day-to-day administration including:
o Hiring, supervising, and evaluating a caring team of teachers and staff, and encouraging professional development opportunities
o Developing, planning, and overseeing curriculum and programs, in coordination with the curriculum assistant director
o Overseeing enrollment process, in coordination with the administrative assistant director
o Overseeing operating budget development and compliance, in coordination with the administrative manager
o Ensuring compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations
o Overseeing and participating in student evaluations and parent conferences
o Providing for the safety and well being of students and staff
o Directs and participates in fundraising and grant writing efforts
o Effectively collaborates and communicates with parents, board members, students, and other constituents
o Develops and maintains community partnerships/relationships and represents Moonstone Preschool in the larger Philadelphia community

Position Requirements
o Advanced degree strongly preferred. Applicants should meet or exceed the standards for Director qualifications and responsibilities set forth in 55 Pa. Code s. 3270.34.
o At least five years of school administration experience strongly preferred
o For its next leader, Moonstone will look for someone who:
o Demonstrates a commitment to a progressive educational philosophy
o Has a collaborative leadership style
o Communicates clearly and transparently
o Listens well, and can relate and motivate
o Demonstrates a commitment to diversity and inclusion
o Demonstrates financial acumen and a solid understanding of the nonacademic aspects of school leadership
o Is a positive role model for students and staff
o Will participate actively in institutional advancement efforts and strategic partnerships, within and beyond the school community

Compensation is commensurate with education and experience.

ANTICIPATED SEARCH CALENDAR:
Application Deadline: November 15, 2015. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

HOW TO APPLY:
To submit an application, email the following documents as separate PDFs to employment@moonstonepreschool.org.

• Cover letter addressed to the Moonstone Preschool Search Committee
• Résumé
• Personal statement or statement of educational philosophy
• List of 5 references (references will be contacted only with candidate permission)
• Up to three letters of reference

For additional information interested candidates are encouraged to visit http://www.moonstonepreschool.org.