Director Early Childhood Education - La Scuola International School

About La Scuola International School

La Scuola International School founded its preschool, La Piccola Scuola Italiana,  in 2002 and has earned awards and accolades for its work with Reggio Children in Italy as a leading example of the Reggio Emilia pedagogy in North America.  In 2012, the school expanded its curriculum through grade 8 and is the only school in San Francisco to offer the International Baccalaureate program for the elementary and middle school years as well as the only school in the world to offer a program that blends Reggio Emilia, the International Baccalaureate and Italian language immersion. 

The three campuses are joyous places where the learning and community is palpable. It is clear that the school culture revolves around human connections. The families come from a wide range of backgrounds and speak more than 34 different languages, and the breadth of that global community is the foundation of our school experience. 

Faculty and staff are the heart of La Scuola, creating inspiring learning experiences for students every day. La Scuola attracts talented individuals from around the globe who are drawn to the unique blend of International Baccalaureate, Reggio Emilia, and Language Immersion philosophies. Together nearly half of our team (48%) holds advanced degrees in their area of specialization, and each contributes a distinct perspective to our students, families, and colleagues. Representing over 14 countries including Italy, Peru, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Syria, India, Brazil, Ghana, Albania, Chile, Brazil, Turkmenistan, and El Salvador, 45% of the staff is of international origin with over 17 languages spoken.

La Scuola International School is an independent non-profit school accredited by NAIS, CAIS, WASC and CIS and is one of two Italian schools recognized by the Italian government in the United States.

La Scuola is seeking a Director of Early Childhood Education for its preschool location in San Francisco’s Dogpatch neighborhood. The position will report to the Assistant Head of School, while working with the Head of School and Leadership Team members to successfully manage the program and guide a team of faculty to who bring warmth, expertise and a strong commitment to nurturing young learners. The Director works in collaboration with teachers, specialists, coordinators and administrative staff to design, implement and evaluate a developmentally appropriate Reggio inspired, International Baccalaureate (IB-PYP Early Years) and Italian immersion program.

Key Responsibilities

Program Oversight

• Maintain a high quality program for children and staff and ensuring that the philosophy and core values of the school are being realized;
• Ensure the school’s activities reflect best practices in child development and that the school provides inclusive and developmentally appropriate learning experiences and activities;
• Ensure that the school provides an environment that is physically and emotionally safe for children;
• Supervise and direct the ongoing operation of the school;
• Communicate school philosophy and objectives to all school constituencies (including students, teachers, parents and alumni/ae) and to the community outside the school;
• Foster and oversee communication and partnership among the staff and families;
• Provide community outreach and participate in important meetings and conferences related to the preschool community and early childhood education;
• Act as a resource to parents for concerns or collaboration about their child;
• Interact with parents by attending and speaking at events such as potlucks, new parent orientations, school-wide events, workshops and affinity group meetings;
• Support children with special needs and their families and ensuring full inclusion;
• Maintain an effective Kindergarten placement process, including:
  • a.   Providing guidance and support for families and teachers during the Kindergarten search and admissions process;
  • b.   Maintaining an open and positive dialogue with elementary school admission directors and heads of school at both public and private schools; 
  • c.   Maintaining a working knowledge of both private and public school options in SanFrancisco and neighboring areas, and of both the public school and private school application/selection processes.

Faculty and Staff Supervision

• Hire, evaluate, supervise, manage, mentor, retain and support a superior faculty;
• Recruit and evaluate outstanding teachers and staff with diverse experience and backgrounds whose style and values complement the school;
• Provide for effective integration and training of new teachers;
• Establish and maintain standards of performance and supporting exemplary teaching;
• Maintain positive, active relationships with staff and creating an open, safe environment for peer-to-peer communication and conflict resolution;
• Ensure ongoing professional development of teachers/staff;
• Inspire reflection and encouraging innovation;
• Supervise administrative staff responsibilities, including student records, program supply maintenance, tuition payments, payroll, and payables and receivables;
• Maintain an effective and fair process for allocating non-teaching roles;
• Be available to advise and to support teachers and staff to help solve problems.

Enrollment and Safety

• Supervise registration and enrollment, and be responsible for maintaining full enrollment by engaging in and monitoring activities such as: (i) introducing prospective parents to the program in collaboration with Admissions, (ii) supporting the school’s outreach efforts, (iii) maintaining a waiting list, (iv) [participating in/advising the indexed tuition committee in its decision making] and (v) making admissions decisions that are supportive of the school community and program;
• Assume ultimate responsibility for compliance with federal, state and local laws and regulations for the operation of the school, including maintaining familiarity with licensing regulations and ensuring that the school is in compliance as well as maintaining communication with Community Care Licensing;
• Ensure that a pleasant, safe and clean facility is maintained, including contracting with and vetting third party contractors;
• Assume ultimate responsibility for school record-keeping and its security. 

External Relations

• Promote and enhance support the school’s mission and objectives among staff, parents, alumni and the wider community;
• Attend and participate in ITP groups, meetings, preschool directors meetings and other professional development growth opportunities;
• Maintain positive relationships with:
  • a.   local community educators, including those at peer preschools and relevant elementary schools;
  • b.   funders (both private and public);
  • c.   potential or actual partners of the school; and
  • d.   neighbors of the school.

Preferred Experience, Qualifications, and Attributes: 

• A BA/BS degree and / or Masters from an accredited college or university in a field related to education or education leadership
• Site Supervisor permit and documentation required
• Brings a minimum of three years of leadership experience in a school leadership role preferably in an independent school or other non-profit organization.
• Holds extensive knowledge of Reggio Emilia, Language Immersion and International Baccalaureate, the pillars of La Scuola’s program. 
• Is able to speak Italian fluently (a plus!)
• Can build positive relationships, communicate clearly and connect with young children, parents and caregivers and faculty.
• Is a collaborative and effective team player 
• Is highly organized, detail-oriented and can show demonstrated success in managing multiple projects with shifting priorities and deadlines 
• Possesses a joyful attitude, is warm, approachable and flexible in a dynamic environment.
• Is comfortable feeling uncomfortable, high degree of accountability and ownership.
• Strong work ethic, adaptable and collaborative team player.
• Is eager to learn new things and excited by new challenges and a dynamic work environment.

Benefits & Compensation

Full time positions receive generous compensation and benefits package, including medical, vision and dental coverage. The school also offers an Employer-Matched Retirement Account (up to 5%), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Health Savings Account (HSA), Commuter Benefits, Group Life Insurance, Long-Term Disability Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, World Travel Assistance. 

Other benefits include Personal Time Off, Paid Federal Holidays and School Closures, daily warm lunch while on site, Employee Referral Bonuses, Outstanding Professional Development and Mentorship throughout the year, Free Employee Childcare for students enrolled at La Scuola during Professional Development Days.

Additional Information

Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S.  Prior to beginning work and as a condition of employment in order to comply with the law, all employees must provide documentation to prove eligibility to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship may be available for qualified candidates.

Final candidates will need to pass both Criminal Justice Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation Fingerprint Clearance and a physical exam, and provide a recent copy of a negative TB test and other immunization records.

How to Apply

Refer to the Employment Opportunities within and apply online. Please include a cover letter sharing your background and interest and your résumé (translated into English) as a first step. Applicants should be prepared to share three professional references.

As part of the interview process, you can expect to meet with our Human Resources team and Assistant Head of School as well as the Hiring Manager and other members of the Leadership Team.