Alliance for Catholic Education
Lower School Head (Grades PK-4)
Applications open: January 6th, 2025
Position Start Date: July 1st, 2025
Reports to: School Principal
Blessed Sacrament School (BSS), a Catholic coeducational institution in Savannah, GA, with approximately 460 students, seeks an innovative and compassionate leader to serve as the Lower School Head for Grades PK through 4. This position offers a unique opportunity to guide the academic, spiritual and personal growth of students at a critical stage in their development. The Lower School is structured around thirteen intimate home classrooms, each led by a Teacher (and an AssstantTeacher in PK-2nd).These teachers are tasked with the preparation and teaching of effective and inspiring curricula to support both academic (reading, writing, math) and social and emotional learning. Learning support is available to all grades through ‘push ins’
The Lower School Head will be responsible for the overall management of the division, ensuring that students are challenged intellectually, supported emotionally, and engaged learners, inspired to become active in their faith. The Lower School Head will play a pivotal role in advancing BSS’s mission of cultivating a diverse community of learners who are rooted in faith and committed to academic excellence.
As the leader of the Lower School, the Head will shape the vision for the division and work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and the broader BSS community to deliver a cohesive and high-quality educational experience. The ideal candidate will be an experienced school leader with expertise in elementary curriculum and pedagogy, and a passion for fostering a faith filled and inclusive school culture. The Lower School Head will collaborate with highly qualified, able and dedicated teachers, providing instructional leadership and situational support as needed while cultivating the ongoing professional development of their colleagues. The relational nature of the community requires a division leader who embraces the school’s mission promise that “every child is known and valued.” The Lower School Head will also collaborate with the Middle School Head to ensure continuity across grade levels and to uphold the school’s commitment to prepare and empower children to LEAD, LOVE and SERVE God, the Church, and the World.
The Lower School Head will be responsible for implementing and developing a curriculum that integrates key academic disciplines and promotes critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. Working closely with teachers, the Lower School Head will ensure that the curriculum aligns with educational research based best practices and meets the developmental needs of all students. In addition, they will play a central role in shaping the professional development of faculty members, encouraging continuous learning and pedagogical innovation.
Family engagement is an essential aspect of the Lower School experience at BSS, and the Lower School Head will maintain strong, trusting relationships with families, offering regular opportunities for dialogue and collaboration. By fostering a warm and welcoming environment, the Lower School Head will ensure that students feel supported and that parents are confident partners in their children’s education.
In Blessed Sacrament School’s model the Middle and Lower Schools are led by two separate Heads who will serve distinct, yet complementary, roles working closely together to provide a cohesive educational experience from early childhood through the adolescent years. These roles are essential to upholding the school’s mission. Through collaboration, they will ensure a nurturing, inclusive, and academically challenging environment, championing the school’s commitment to offering students of all backgrounds the opportunity to reach their full potential. The Lower School Head addresses the academic, spiritual and social growth of students in the elementary grades, ensuring a seamless transition to more advanced learning. Together, the Lower School Head and the Middle School Head create a cohesive educational pathway that aligns with the school’s mission and values.
Please see the below key elements of the position:
Lower School Head (Grades PK-4)
● Focus on Elementary Education: The Lower School Head over sees students in grades PK through 4, emphasizing the transition from early childhood into more structured academic learning. This role focuses on building critical thinking skills, independence, and social responsibility.
● Curriculum Development for Higher Grades: They are responsible for creating and managing a rigorous and challenging curriculum that integrates various subjects, encouraging collaborative learning and critical thinking while meeting the diverse needs of Lower School students. Strong candidates will have experience in centered learning, orton gillingham literacy, and Inquiry-based math curriculum to develop mathematical reasoning.
● Leadership and Professional Development: They play a key role in mentoring, modeling and supporting faculty, fostering professional growth through specific training opportunities, and ensuring instructional quality across the division.
The Head of the Lower School mentors and evaluates Teachers in their leadership of all aspects of the classroom, including classroom management, knowledge of their subject matter, delivery of effective and engaging lessons, responsiveness to students’ needs, communication with families through reports and conferences, and professionalism, among other areas
● Family and Community Engagement: They focus on strengthening connections between the school and the community, enhancing opportunities for families to engage in their children’s education and faith development, and fostering a sense of belonging among all families in the Lower School.
● Student Support Systems: They manage effective student support systems that address academic, social, and emotional needs, ensuring that all students thrive.
● Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: They incorporate specific expectations to actively promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within their divisions, ensuring that all students and families feel respected and valued.
Attributes, Skills, and Qualifications:
● A highly visible, empathetic and collaborative instructional leader
● Strong verbal and written communication skills
● An outgoing “connector” and relationship-builder
● A demonstrated commitment to Catholic education
● Five or more years successfully teaching or working in an elementary program.
● Three or more years in an administrative or leadership role in an elementary school program
● Bachelor’s degree and MS/MA, with preference for elementary education
QUALIFICATIONS:
● Master’s Degree (preferably in Education Administration/Leadership)
● Standard Georgia Elementary Certificate/T5 (Hold or eligible for)
● Catechetical certification (or in process)
● Understanding of Catholic Theology and Philosophy of Catholic education
● Evidence of continuing education
● Practicing Catholic
● Personal philosophy, value, and lifestyle, which are consistent with a position of leadership in a Catholic school
● Ability to work collaboratively with parish administration, diocesan personnel, faculty/staff, parents and parish organizations
● Ability to articulate and implement a vision for the school in areas of curriculum, spirituality, advancement and technology
Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to listen, physically direct, and speak. The employee is required to stand, walk, use hands to compute, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus. The employee is also regularly required to climb flights of stairs and must be able to carry 25 pounds.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those of a school and what an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is moderate; however, variations in noise level may occur when the employee attends school functions such as assemblies, school dances, and other events.
ARE YOU READY TO JOIN OUR TEAM?
All interested applicants applying for this position should submit their resume, cover letter, and salary requirements to aswanger@bss-savannah.org
All prospective employees must be able to clear background checks, as required by the Diocese of Savannah.
● Three letters of recommendation pertaining to qualifications will be required for candidates who are shortlisted.
● VIRTUS training andcriminal background check are required for all employees.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
401(k)
Dental insurance
Flexible spending account
Health insurance
Health savings account
Life insurance
Paid time off
Professional development assistance
Retirement plan