Glenview New Church Head of Schools

Current State:

The Glenview New Church Schools is at a pivotal point in its 115 year history, with a hard-earned system-wide commitment to expanded relevance within the Glenview community. It has developed its core competencies, restructured its governance, explored educational best practices, and engaged in four years of committed effort toward system improvement. It seeks to expand its offerings at the preschool and elementary levels, and to re-launch a newly articulated and designed high school experience. It seeks qualified school leadership to work within this strong foundation to serve more students and families.

 

The Glenview New Church Schools—A Brief History

The Glenview New Church School (GNCS) has been continuously running since 1894 when the school was started to educate children of Glenview New Church congregants. Since that time the primary and pre-primary academic programs have operated under the mission and direct guidance of the Glenview New Church Board of Trustees and indirectly by the General Church Bishop’s Office. While a majority of the current students continue to be church members, a board goal has been to serve families in the Glenview community. The school’s preschool program is comparatively new (10 years) and represents an excellent opportunity for growth. With enrollment of approximately 30 in three classrooms, each classroom experience reflects the unique approach of the teacher who leads it. Significant expansion of the program is expected by the board within the next three years under the direction of the Head of Schools.

The current elementary environment is a multi-grade classroom, six to ten children per teacher, with close adherence to the curricular guidelines published by the General Church Office of Education in Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania. Children develop keen critical thinking skills and factual knowledge while being encouraged in all things to consider God’s will. Teachers pride themselves on their knowledge of each child’s learning styles and personality. Each child’s scholastic experience is uniquely tailored to his or her state and personality. As a result of the one-on-one attention students tend to advance academically more rapidly than their public school counterparts. The atmosphere is playful and personable with particular emphasis placed on protecting the spheres of innocence and inquiry.

The average experience of the six core full-time teachers is 16.7 years. 50% of them hold advanced degrees. There are nine part-time teachers averaging 10.2 years of experience with 22% holding advanced degrees. Parents, congregants and local business experts regularly contribute to the classroom experience in many ways adding to the community feel and dynamic experience for the students.

 

The Midwestern Academy of the New Church

The Midwestern Academy of the New Church (MANC) was incorporated in 1958 with the goal of promoting secondary New Church education in the Midwestern region of the United States. Through the 60s, 70s and 80s, MANC’s main focus was a full-day high school in Glenview on the same campus as GNCS. In the late 90s, due to low enrollment MANC changed to a part-time program which is coordinated with the local public high school. Shortly after the program shift to part-time, in an effort to keep the broader Midwestern focus alive, MANC began to provide financial grants to institutions throughout the Midwest that were similarly oriented toward New Church education.

Enrollment in the part time program typically hovers around four students. The primary instructor retired at the end of the 2007-08 school year, and the offering for next year is uncertain at the time of this letter.

The membership of the MANC recently voted affirmatively to change the focus of the Board from primarily a funding source and arms-length supporter of the part-time academic program, to a vibrant qualified Board of experts dedicated to guiding the school through an evolution. It has expanded its focus to include the Glenview New Church Schools (preschool and elementary school).

 

Collaboration between GNCS and MANC

During the 2008-2009 academic year, leadership for the GNCS preschool through eighth grade program and the MANC part-time high school is being consolidated under the authority of the Board of Directors of MANC. Recent growth in preschool and elementary enrollment, recent changes in governmental structure, program enhancements, new programs of professional development for the faculty and board members, committed funds, and a comprehensive stakeholder commitment to change and growth make this the ideal time for new leadership to engage, craft a clear vision of the future, and lead the execution of plans and programs to take the entire organization forward. It is within this ripe climate for change and growth that the MANC board is seeking a Head of Schools.

 

Philosophy of Education

The Glenview New Church Schools draws its spiritual principles and philosophy of education from the New Church faith, a Christian religion based on the Bible as interpreted by the theological writings of Emanuel Swedenborg. While maintaining a clear focus on the system of belief taught in the New Church, the school welcomes students and families from all faiths, and honors the goodness of those faiths.

It is a teaching of the New Church that “all religion is of life and the life of religion is to do what is good.” The Glenview New Church Schools seeks to promote a good life in all facets of the educational experience. Students participate in daily morning chapel and religious classes that combine Biblical knowledge with spiritual principles. We reach beyond the mind to the hearts and lives of the students, to help them become intelligent, caring human beings. We work together with families by teaching the same Christian truths at school as the children receive at home.

It is a teaching of the New Church that “we are not created for ourselves alone but for the sake of others.” The Glenview New Church School promotes healthy relationships and charitable attitudes toward others. The faculty, working together with parents, institutes policies and behavior expectations based on spiritual principles of order blended with compassion.

It is a teaching of the New Church that “All instruction is simply an opening of the way”—the way to wisdom, to enlightenment from the Lord, to higher levels of learning. The Glenview New Church Schools sets high, but attainable, academic goals, recognizing the value of an educated mind. We are dedicated to nurturing in students affection for learning and good study habits that will serve them throughout life.

It is a teaching of the New Church that “those who love the end in view love the means to that end as well.” The goal of leading students to be equipped for success in all facets of life manifests itself in our chosen educational techniques. These include: individualized attention, involved parents and volunteers, a breadth of educational experiences including field trips and extra-curricular opportunities, technology, and current educational practices.

 

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum blends the best of educational methodology and subject matter with spiritual principles aimed at supporting each individual student to develop along his or her path. One of our primary goals is to cooperate with parents one-on-one to ensure that we are providing direction and an environment that is effective and unique. Class size is intentionally small and each student is given focused attention from teachers. Children develop crucial contemporary skills while maintaining a casual comfortable learning environment where they can thrive.

Registration with the State of Illinois certifies that our school year and weekly curriculum time allotments meet with state requirements for mandated courses of study and total number of hours of instruction. The curriculum is fully compliant. In addition, courses are carefully integrated to help children see the interconnections all around us. Routine enrichment (nature walks, theater visits, etc.) help children develop a sense of coherence, order, and meaning in the world beyond the school walls.

 

2007-2008 Statistics

• Compared to all schools in the nation, both public and private, our 8th grade class was ranked in the top 92%*
• Compared to all schools in the nation, both public and private, our 7th grade class was ranked in the top 95%*
• Elementary enrollment: 36
• Student-teacher ratio in the K-8 program is: 6 to 1
• Funds dedicated to professional development: $1428/teacher
• Six full-time faculty members: Average of 16.7 years experience, 50% hold advanced degrees
• Nine part-time faculty members: Average of 10.2 years experience, 22% hold advanced degrees

*Based on 2008 IOWA test scores

 

Position Summary

The Head of Schools is the academic leader of the Glenview New Church Schools, responsible for establishing and nurturing a religious educational environment in which students will be equipped for success in all facets of life. The selected candidate will be accountable for the stewardship of The New Church’s founding values and teachings. In addition, the Head of Schools will be responsible for fostering an environment in which students will be inspired to grow and develop into intelligent, caring human beings.

 

Key Responsibilities

• Articulate and communicate the school mission and vision to all stakeholders, and demonstrate how the school is serving its mission/reaching toward its vision, or how it proposes to do so.
• Set a growth strategy for the Glenview New Church Schools at all levels: preschool, elementary, and high school.
• Review and approve all school programs, and recommend modifications to existing programs based on mission, vision, and strategy, submitting program proposals for school board approval as necessary.
• Lead and develop Faculty through processes of continual professional development with an eye to achieving GNCS’s mission, vision, and stragety, hiring as necessary. Maintain all personnel records and reports.
• Plan and develop instructional methods and content for educational, vocational, or student activity programs.
• Confer with parents and staff to discuss educational activities, policies, and student behavioral or learning problems.
• Prepare and submit budget requests and recommendations, or grant proposals to solicit program funding.
• Organize and direct committees of specialists, volunteers, and staff to provide technical and advisory assistance for programs.
• Counsel and provide guidance to students regarding personal, academic, vocational, or behavioral issues.

Qualified applicants will have demonstrated leadership experience and be able to demonstrate key leadership attributes, including the ability to set direction, develop people, and develop and grow an organization. To apply, please send a resume and cover letter with salary requirements to:

 

Key Leadership Attributes

Regardless of personal areas of relative strength and weakness, there are three categories of practice that will be important areas for the Head of Schools to have as proficiencies.

Setting Direction: This dimension of leadership practice includes actions aimed at developing goals for schooling and inspiring others with a vision for the future.

• Identifying and articulating a vision
• Creating shared meaning
• Creating high performance expectations
• Fostering the acceptance of group goals
• Monitoring organizational performance
• Communicating

Developing People: Most work in schools is, of course, accomplished through the efforts of people. Effective educational leaders influence the development of human resources.

• Offering intellectual stimulation
• Providing individualized support
• Providing an appropriate model
• Promoting ongoing professional improvement

Developing the Organization: School leaders attend to aspects of the school as an organization, and a community, with consideration of internal processes and external relationships. Effective leaders enable the school to function as a professional learning community to support and sustain the performance of all workers, including teachers as well as students.

• Strengthening school culture
• Modifying organizational structure
• Building collaborative processes
• Managing the environment

 

Key Competencies (Knowledge and Skill Areas)

• Leadership: Someone who is capable of influencing others toward the achievement of goals, causing others to do things they might not otherwise do (change); and making things happen or getting results.
• Administration and Management — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• Education and Training — Knowledge of, and education in, principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
• Personnel and Human Resources — Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
• Psychology — Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
• New Church Philosophy — Strong familiarity with, and support for, New Church teachings, New Church curriculum, New Church teacher competencies
• Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of other individuals and yourself in order to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Management of Personnel Resources — Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
• Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions when appropriate.
• Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Collaboration — Involving all stakeholders; developing collaborative relationships with educators, Board members, and parents, as well the Glenview community, Glenview public schools, and local professional organizations; building community; coordinating efforts around vision for the school.

 

To Apply

To apply for the Glenview New Church Head of Schools position, please send a resume and cover letter with salary requirements to: