School Director
Opening Statement
At Swallowtail School, the Director weaves all of the different aspects of the school together into a cohesive whole. They must be able to appreciate the qualities that make our school unique while facilitating growth and long-term strategy. The Swallowtail community is one of deep commitment, personal connection, and independence of thought. The Director needs to be a skilled communicator, able to listen with a true desire to understand and collaboratively build consensus within and between groups. The Director must also value the principles of Waldorf Education and partner with the Faculty to promote these principles throughout the school.
The Director is the face of the school and should be equally able to cultivate relationships with parents and families, students, faculty, the Board of Trustees, donors and alumni, other Waldorf schools, and leaders in the wider community. The Director has final responsibility and authority in all administrative matters.
About
Swallowtail School serves approximately 150 students from PreK through Grade 8. We are located at the intersection of rural Oregon farmland and the Portland suburbs, with a main campus in Cornelius and a farm property a few minutes away in Hillsboro. At Swallowtail we are fortunate to have an exceptionally committed and supportive community of families, and a close-knit collegial group who value working together in collaboration. We have a thriving Early Childhood program with one preschool and two mixed-age kindergartens, and those classes are usually full with a wait list. Grades classes range from 12-18 students. They are well supported by subject offerings (Music, Handwork, Spanish, Movement, Agricultural Arts, Middle School Math, and Eurythmy in blocks). Grades and Early Childhood classes spend one day per week in the fall and spring at our farm property where they work with our Agricultural Arts Teacher and full-time Farmer to deepen their connection to and understanding of the land.
Essential Job Duties
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Facilitates the development and communication of the long-range strategic plan, working closely with the Board of Trustees and Faculty, gathering input from relevant parties, and prioritizing resources to realize the plan.
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Brings a level of personal care and holding to create a work environment in which people feel safe to take risks, challenge themselves, and grow. Prioritizes ongoing feedback, adequate training and mentoring, and equitable compensation.
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Coordinates annual evaluations, collaborates with faculty and administrative HR partners, and makes the final decision on hiring and termination of employees.
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Represents the Administration on the Board of Trustees. Ensures detailed reporting from various groups at the school to enable informed decision-making.
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Oversees state licensing of early childhood and extended care programs, acting as “Director” of these activities.
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Ensures appropriate oversight of student support plans, working closely with faculty and families to ensure student needs are being met, and takes appropriate steps to determine the level of support school can provide on a case-by-case basis.
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Partners with Finance on budget management and fundraising activities, with particular attention to growing financial reserves and maintaining financially sound and sustainable practices.
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Develops and implements plans for financial development and community engagement, including event planning.
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Drives efforts to sustain and increase enrollment.
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Acts as a spokesperson to educate families and the greater community about Swallowtail, its mission, vision, and values, and about Waldorf Education in general.
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Facilitates and ensures effective communication so that stakeholders are kept abreast of developments and decisions by the Faculty, Board of Trustees, and Administration.
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Develops a close relationship to the community of families, receiving and responding to their concerns. Serves as a facilitator and final arbitrator if needed.
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Coordinates with AWSNA and WECAN to maintain member status, leverages the support provided by these organizations, and stays up-to-date on best practices.
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Ensures accurate record keeping, with timely and appropriate documentation of school decisions and incidents. Uses discretion and judgment to protect confidential information as appropriate.
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Engages with the Student Support Committee to develop both situational responses and school-wide enhancements to improve behavior, social/emotional health, and academic achievement of the students.
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Maintains a daily presence in the school.
Employment Details
Salary is based on education and experience. Benefits include tuition remission for dependents, and medical/dental/vision coverage.
To Apply
To apply, please send a letter of intent, resume, and three references to Greg Vandervelden at boardpresident@swallowtailschool.org