Head Of Upper School

TMS is inviting applications from motivated, inspiring individuals for the position of:

Head of Upper School

(beginning July 2024)

TMS acknowledges that we engage in learning on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, Huron-Wendat, Métis, and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, all of whom call this land home.

TMS is a leading independent day school in Richmond Hill, Ontario that offers the Montessori and International Baccalaureate pedagogies. We provide students from 18 months to Grade 12 the foundation for a life of goodness and excellence. TMS is a member of CIS and is accredited by CCMA, CAIS and the IBO. Our Mission is to provide an inclusive educational experience which encourages every learner to become compassionate, curious and connected citizens in a complex and changing world. The school offers opportunities for professional development and the chance to work in a vibrant, collegial workplace.

The Upper School came into existence in 2009 and has been led by Mrs. Sheila Thomas since its inception. Mrs. Thomas will be retiring in summer 2024 and we seek an outstanding individual to carry forward her extraordinary legacy. We offer the International Baccalaureate MYP and Diploma Programme to students in Grades 7 to 12. Our 7th Grade students come to the Upper School campus from our Lower School which offers a flagship Montessori program to children from Toddler (18 months) to Grade 6.

The Upper School campus is characterized by dynamic teaching and learning, as well as an exciting and ongoing process of facility development. In January 2022 we opened a new purpose-built Dining Hall, and in November 2023 we celebrated the grand opening of our new multi-level Middle School for our Grade 7 and 8 students. Further projects are planned for the future, and in the summer of 2024 we will be changing our name to Lauremont School as a core component of our new five year Strategic Direction.

The Head of Upper School is a member of the school’s Leadership Team, reports to the Head of School and collaborates with parents, alumni, and other members of the TMS Community in the development and implementation of strategic objectives in support of student learning and well-being.

Candidate Profile

As the ideal candidate, you are an engaging and personable leader with a strong strategic vision for leading the Upper School. You are respected by peers and staff as a compelling communicator, a trusted and sought out relationship builder, a highly effective motivator and a person of impeccable integrity. You have a track record of setting clear priorities, achieving targets and deadlines and rallying the school community around shared goals. You have a demonstrated ability to nurture a climate of excellence and achievement. In your senior management role, you lead by example and are able to multi-task in a fast-moving environment and you have outstanding time management skills. You are highly visible and approachable by faculty, staff, students, parents and other community stakeholders.

As an ambassador of the school, you thrive on creating networks and forming productive and mutually sustaining relationships with external partners. You bring a knowledge and understanding of independent school life and culture, and ideally have experience serving in an IB learning environment. You are a change agent who approaches significant institutional change decisively but in a way that allows all voices to be heard. You are a committed team player and a thoughtful listener who appreciates other perspectives and embraces robust but respectful discussion and debate on important topics.

The new Head of Upper School will play a critical role in taking the school into the future at this pivotal time in our development. Through prudent financial management, TMS has the resources to provide a world-class education to our 350 Upper School students. Our teaching faculty are diverse, highly-trained and experienced in the independent school culture. They come from local, national and international backgrounds, bringing a richness and vibrancy to the roles they perform. Our administrative staff are similarly well-qualified and deeply committed to supporting the Mission, Vision and further development of the school.

For this position, the successful candidate will ideally have recent successful experience as a Middle and/or High School Principal or Vice Principal. An advanced degree in Educational Leadership and a knowledge of the independent school environment would be a definite asset. TMS is committed to the use of educational technologies to support and enhance learning outcomes. Therefore, experience working with platforms like ManageBac and BlackBaud, coupled with strong digital literacy skills, would be desirable.

The Upper School Principal takes a leading role in generating the Upper School timetables and supports the creation of the various school calendars. The successful candidate will ideally have experience carrying out employee appraisal protocols, and familiarity with CAIS, IB or other accreditation processes.

The ability to form productive external networks and contacts in order to further the Mission and goals of the school. Given the nature of the position, some evening and weekend work will be required to attend and support TMS events.

How to Apply:

If you believe that an innovative, inclusive and highly collaborative environment is the perfect fit for your career goals, please submit your resume along with a cover letter explaining your suitability for this role to: Human Resources at tmshr@tmsschool.ca by February 12th, 2024.

TMS is an equal opportunity employer. We provide any needed accommodations as laid out in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code. Promoting diversity is one of our core values and we are committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming culture within our school community. For more information about TMS, please visit our website at www.tmsschool.ca

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits:

• Company events
• Company pension
• Dental care
• Disability insurance
• Discounted or free food
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Paid time off
• RRSP match
• Vision care
• Wellness program

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Morning shift

Ability to Commute:

• Richmond Hill, ON L4C 5G1 (required)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 2024-02-12