Chaminade University of Honolulu
Full Time: 12 Month Position
Exempt, EAM III
Exempt,EAM III
Position Information
Job Title: Lab School Administrator
Division/Office: Finance/Education/Chaminade University Montessori Laboratory School (CUMLS)
Reporting Relationship
The CUMLS is an auxiliary unit under the Vice President of Finance and Facilities. The Administrator reports to the Assistant Director of Early Childhood Education and Montessori Programs and Lab School Liaison. It also reports to an advisory board that is comprised of the Vice President of Finance and Facilities, the Executive Director for Compliance & Human Resources, the Dean of the Education Division, and the Director of Early Childhood and Montessori Programs.
Position Summary
The Lab School Administrator is responsible for administering and implementing the university’s Marianist educational mission and policies. The Administrator provides day-to-day educational leadership for the school which includes ensuring that faculty of CUMLS implement curriculum and instruction grounded in Montessori principles. The Administrator is required to work with the Education Division in ongoing early childhood education research.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
include the following and all other duties as needed.
Strategic Planning
- Keeps the Advisory Board and Supervisor fully informed of the matters, needs, and operation of the school
- Serves as the chief communicator between the Advisory Board and the faculty
- Creates an appropriate and strong management team such that the collective team is prepared to lead the school should the Administrator become incapacitated
- Promotes an internal organization that permits effective communication at all levels
- Works to produce smooth day-to-day internal operations
- Develops strategic and tactical plans for the school
- Encourages perspective via testing, comparisons with similar institutions, and external analyses and critiques
- Remains abreast of trends and research in education, particularly those affecting independent school operation and educational leadership
Program Development and Implementation
- Designs, implements and administers student programs and services consistent with the values and teaching styles of a progressive humanistic Montessori approach
- Develops systems of scheduling to accommodate such programs and services
- Sets standards of participation and achievement in each of the following areas:
- Academic – assures the curricular scope, sequence, and instructional strategies reflect Montessori philosophy and goals; provides leadership in the process of curriculum development; provides assistance and support to staff in their efforts to develop such curricula
- Co-curricular – organizes activities, formal cultural exposures, and athletics sufficient to round out the school’s academic program and provide for student interest and development
- Character development – supports children’s social-emotional and character development through positive guidance, modeling of kindness and respect, communication with families, and collaboration with professionals when additional behavioral or psychological support is needed.
- Student life – establishes and oversees programs for after-hours and weekends, including extended day programs and recreational and cultural activities
- Works collaboratively with the Education Division of the university to facilitate educational research efforts.
- Works with the Education Division of the university to facilitate the operations of the Montessori Teacher Education Program.
- Coordinates with the Education Division and the Executive Director of Compliance of the university on the development and updating of the Parent Handbook, Staff Handbook, Policies and Procedures, and schedule.
Enrollment
- Works with the Advisory Board, Supervisor, and faculty to establish and administer standards and procedures for admission and dismissals
- Recommends enrollment objectives and executes programs to achieve them (i.e. marketing, admissions, and retention)
Personnel
- Defines the faculty and staff positions needed to implement the school’s program
- Recruits highly effective teachers and staff to fill such positions when there are vacancies
- Establishes productive working conditions, discipline, training and development of all professional staff
- Provides ongoing support for the professional and personal growth of faculty and staff, including opportunities for continuing education, mentorship, and reflective practice
- Assures the staff understand and share the school’s Montessori philosophy and goals and the university’s Marianist educational values and traditions
- Determines standards and takes appropriate steps to measure and maintain reasonable performance and growth among immediate subordinates
- Dismisses faculty and staff who fail to meet such standards
- Establishes practices and procedures to promote harmonious and constructive relationships among staff; consciously works to establish an atmosphere of team building and planning; follows a collegial managerial style rather than authoritarian
- Maintains personal contact with all school staff members; fosters good public relations; promotes high morale; identifies personnel issues as early as possible; encourages similar conduct among subordinates
Service Support
- Works with staff to identify curriculum needs related to teaching materials, faculty, and program support
- Holds general program responsibility for the safety and well-being of all students
- Approves and administers rules and procedures governing the student body
- Works to promote harmonious relationships among students, faculty, and staff
- Oversees development, implementation, and evaluation of student programs and communication systems with parents
- Creates and maintains an aesthetically attractive school environment
- Conducts regular staff meetings for teachers, support staff, and interns.
- Oversees the day-to-day operations and functioning of the lab school and responds to emergencies in the classroom or outside.
- Oversees the planning and organization of school events, parent nights, etc.
- Develops and leads family engagement events that strengthen home-school partnerships and provide parents with meaningful ways to participate in the school community.
- Plans and facilitates parent education workshops that help families understand Montessori philosophy, child development, and ways to support learning at home.
- Reviews conference reports and supervises teacher(s) conduction of parent-teacher conferences according to the guidelines developed by the program.
- Collaborates with the faculty members of all divisions of the university in the training of student interns to include the necessary skill development to be a highly qualified/highly effective teacher/professional.
- Provides ongoing feedback to the Chaminade ECE & Montessori training program to support continuous improvement of coursework, practicum expectations, and overall program quality
- Teaches in the morning and/or afternoon programs as needed to meet DHS, NAEYC, and AMS teacher-child ratio requirements.
- Provides reporting and maintains current licensing and accreditation status as required by AMS, NAEYC, and DHS.
- Maintains required personnel records, children’s records, and other appropriate files; sends attendance reports to the Business Office of the university for billing.
Finance
- Prepares a complete annual budget proposal for submission to the Vice President of Finance and Facilities
- Ensures the available financial resources are carefully managed within the budgetary guidelines
- Assists the Business Office with overdue account collections and communicates outstanding balances.
- Prepares grant proposals for student scholarships and manages awards to students.
Community Relations
- Encourages meaningful alumni, parent, and past parent participation in events to aid and support the goals of the school
- Responds to special interest groups and provides direction while stressing student needs
- Interprets the school and its programs for the public and strives to personify the institution
- Serves as primary spokesperson for the school
- Builds relationships with other departments within the university and explores opportunities for collaborative use of the lab school as a learning and research environment; actively promotes awareness of the lab school among university students, faculty, and staff
Other
Any other duties as assigned by Supervisor or as agreed upon by the Advisory Board and Supervisor that may be needed to accomplish the mission of CUMLS.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Knowledge/Skills/Backgrounds
- Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferred) in Early Childhood Education and current Early Childhood credential from the American Montessori Society (AMS).
- Minimum five (5) years of full-time experience in teaching in a Montessori 3-6 classroom. Full-time experience as an Administrator in an early childhood setting preferred.
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writings.
- Proficient in using computer software and mobile applications such as Microsoft Office Suite and Google Apps including but not limited to word processing software, spreadsheet software, internet software, email, and database software.
- Ability to supervise employees and carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the university and the lab school’s policies and applicable laws.
- Ability to address complaints and resolve problems.
- Proof of a criminal record clearance.
- A physical examination clearance for work with children age two to six.
- A current TB screening.
- Current CPR training.
- Member of the Career Access and Navigation of Early Childhood Systems (CANOES) Registry with the qualification of Director for group child care centers and homes.
Physical Requirements
- Must be capable of meeting the physical demands of employment
- Must be capable of bending, reaching, running, and carrying up to 50lbs.
- Must be capable of moving furniture and arranging classroom activities.
- Must be capable of standing for prolonged periods of time.
- Must have finger dexterity.
Marianist Identity/Native Hawaiian & Pacific Island Serving
An expressed willingness to respect and support the Catholic and Marianist identity of Chaminade University of Honolulu and to perform all duties in a manner consistent with Marianist educational values and mission of the University. Understanding of and respect for the University’s designation as an institution serving students of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Island ancestry.