Head of School, Desert Sky Montessori Charter School
Rare opportunity to lead a thriving, authentic, tuition-free Montessori school in scenic Bend, Oregon
Desert Sky Montessori seeks an experienced educational leader, with a passion for working with children and strong administrative acumen, who is committed to the Montessori philosophy of education.
Our ideal candidate is an emotionally tuned, collaborative, and visionary leader who will work alongside a phenomenal staff and a dedicated Board of Directors to guide our school into the next exciting phase of its development.
Our School:
Desert Sky Montessori, the only public Montessori school in Central Oregon, opened in 2017. It began with kindergarten through third-grade instruction, committed to providing authentic Montessori public education with high fidelity to Montessori principles and practices.
With $550,000 in planning and implementation grants from the Oregon Department of Education, we hired an exceptional Head of School and secured our first campus. These grants helped ensure our growth through sixth grade while providing the highest quality, tuition-free Montessori education in fully furnished and beautifully authentic Montessori classrooms. We hired highly trained Montessori teachers and provided additional Montessori and other training.
Desert Sky Montessori grew quickly to include kindergarten through sixth grade on two campuses. We currently have a staff of 26 dedicated teachers and administrators supporting approximately 170 students in seven classrooms. We are now poised to bring all our students and staff together again in the fall of 2022 on a beautiful 5-acre campus with 10,000 square feet of school facilities and ample room to add a middle school in the near future.
Key Responsibilities:
• Oversee the day-to-day affairs of the organization, while implementing our educational vision.
• Provide meaningful leadership, direction, support, training, and oversight to the staff.
• Maintain an ethical, efficient work environment that attracts, keeps, and motivates a professional team of educators.
• Develop and monitor the budget, secure and manage grants, manage cash flow, and strategically align and optimize resources.
• Provide strong leadership and vision as we move to our new campus, adapt it to our needs, and plan our expansion to include a middle school.
• Regularly report the school's status and progress to the Board of Directors and inform the staff of relevant board decisions.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with staff, Board members, supporters, business and community leaders, as well as parents and the DSM Parent and Community Association.
• Maintain a strong positive image with the larger Bend community, in coordination with the Bend-La Pine School District and Oregon Charter School organizations.
• Ensure compliance with Desert Sky Montessori, Bend-La Pine School District, and Oregon Department of Education policies and procedures.
• Ensure the health and safety of students and staff as we continue to navigate the ebbs and flows of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Qualifications:
• Montessori certification (AMS/AMI preferred)
• BA or BS in Education or Educational Leadership, MA preferred
• Oregon State Teaching License preferred, or a clear path to obtaining one
• Administrative experience in a school setting, including financial, budgeting, operational, human resources, and strategic planning skills preferred
• Experience as a Montessori classroom guide preferred
• Upon job offer, and prior to their first day of work, a successful candidate will need to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a medical or religious exception.
Benefits:
• Competitive salary based on education, experience, and licenses held
• Employer-provided health insurance, with the option to add family members for an additional premium
• Paid Time Off
• PERS retirement plan with generous contribution from Desert Sky Montessori
• Great work environment
Location:
Scenic Bend is located along the Deschutes River, on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains, in the high desert of Central Oregon. The region’s pristine lakes and rivers, spectacular mountains, and abundant wildlife make it a paradise for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking, camping, fishing, mountain biking, skiing, paragliding, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, and golf are just some of the many outdoor activities available. With a population of about 100,000, Bend is the seat of Deschutes County. As a tourism center, and the hub of Central Oregon, Bend features many amenities of a larger city, including excellent schools, abundant parks and playgrounds, world-class microbreweries, a burgeoning restaurant scene, and a host of diverse festivals and special events throughout the year. Bend is also home to Oregon State University-Cascades and Central Oregon Community College.
Application Process and Timeline:
Applicants should email their resume, a cover letter describing their interest in the position, and three references to Jessica Loukonen at jessica.loukonen@dsmontessori.org. Communications will be treated in confidence.
For any questions, please contact DSM Head of School Jodie Borgia at jodie.borgia@dsmontessori.org.
Applications will be accepted until March 4, 2022
The new Head of School will be announced on April 22, 2022
Employment begins August 1, 2022 (an earlier start time negotiable)