Head of Middle School (Chicago)
Position Summary The Head of Middle School is the educational, cultural, and operational leader of the Middle School and is responsible for creating a challenging, joyful, and values-driven experience for students in grades 5–8. The Head leads with a deep commitment to Bernard Zell’s mission to develop exceptional young people who put Jewish values into action. This leader is responsible for the day-to-day life of the division and for building strong, trusting relationships with students, faculty, families, and colleagues across the School. The successful candidate will be an experienced and highly relational school leader who combines warmth with high expectations. They will support and develop an accomplished faculty, establish clear and consistent expectations for student behavior, communicate transparently with families, and make thoughtful decisions even when those decisions are difficult. They will listen carefully, explain the reasoning behind decisions, and possess the confidence and humility to adjust course when warranted. The Head of Middle School reports to the Associate Head of School for Education, works closely with the Head of School, and serves as a member of both the Education and Core Leadership Teams. They will have significant input into their division’s leadership and support structure and will serve as the immediate supervisor for the Director of Student Life, Athletics Director, and Middle School Faculty. The Head of Middle School will work in close partnership with the Director of Student Services, Director of Jewish studies, Director of High School Counseling, Operations, Admissions, and other division and school leaders. The role requires exceptional judgment, organization, prioritization, and clear communication skills, as well as an ability to navigate the needs of students, faculty, and families simultaneously. Leadership Priorities Academic Excellence and High-School Readiness Ensure a rigorous, dynamic Middle School program that prepares students for the academic expectations, independence, and executive-functioning demands of high school and beyond. Familiarity with the Chicago (or other comparable) high school application processes is a plus. Student Culture, Belonging, and Accountability Cultivate a Middle School culture in which students are known, valued, challenged, and held accountable. Establish clear and consistent expectations for behavior, respect, responsibility, and community norms, with developmentally appropriate consequences, reflection, restoration, and support. Understands and finds joy in the unique educational, emotional, physical, and social needs of Middle School students. Celebrates the complexity and beauty of the early adolescent years. Faculty Support, Growth, and Management Create the conditions in which excellent teachers can do their best work. Build trust with a highly experienced faculty, support and onboard new teachers, and coach and evaluate all faculty thoughtfully and constructively. Family Partnership Build trust with families through accessibility, transparency, and timely communication. Listen genuinely to concerns and ideas, explain the educational rationale behind decisions, and clearly articulate new initiatives, so that the direction of the division remains grounded in the best interests of students and the broader school community. Jewish Identity, Values, and Community Ensure that Jewish values, culture, tradition, learning, and Hebrew are meaningfully reflected in the life of the Middle School. Help students connect the Bernard Zell values: celebrate Jewish identity, cultivate community, inspire curiosity, lead the way, and live with integrity and compassion. Visibility, Connection, and Storytelling Be a visible, engaged presence in classrooms, hallways, student life, extracurricular activities, family programs, and faculty spaces. Serve as a recognizable and trusted through-line for students, teachers, and families across the Middle School experience, articulating with confidence and dynamism the values of our strong middle school program. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Leadership and Management of the Middle School Serve as the leader of the Middle School and oversee its day-to-day operation. Articulate and advance a clear vision for the Middle School experience and for the knowledge, skills, habits, character, and Jewish identity students should develop by graduation. Lead with calm, sound judgment and clear priorities; distinguish urgent matters from important long-term work. Build a collaborative leadership culture while retaining responsibility for timely decisions and follow-through. Partner closely with other division heads and school leaders to ensure continuity across divisions and alignment with schoolwide priorities. Academic Program and High-School Preparation Establish high standards for teaching, learning, assessment, and academic growth across the Middle School. Partner with the Associate Head of School for Education, instructional leaders, and department leads to monitor program quality and instructional practice. Ensure that students are increasingly prepared for the independence, workload, accountability, and intellectual demands of high school, including coordination with those responsible for secondary-school advising, testing, applications, and transition. Use appropriate data, observation, and feedback to understand student progress and program effectiveness. Student Life, Well-Being, and Discipline Develop authentic relationships with students and maintain a visible presence throughout the life of the Middle School. In partnership with the Director of Student Life and other designated leaders, oversee student behavior, discipline, reflection, restoration, and accountability. Work with Student Services to ensure that the needs of all students are met (in partnership with the Director of Student Services). Ensure that behavioral expectations and consequences are clear, developmentally appropriate, equitable, and consistently applied. Support thoughtful approaches to student wellness, technology use, AI, and the changing developmental needs of adolescents. Faculty Leadership, Support, and Evaluation Lead, motivate, support, and inspire an exceptional team of teachers. Build strong relationships with faculty and create a culture of trust, collaboration, candor, and shared responsibility. Observe, coach, supervise, and evaluate faculty through a realistic, consistent, and growth-oriented process. Strengthen the onboarding and early-career support of new Middle School faculty. Support faculty in classroom management, family communication, teaching practice, and school procedures. Participate actively in the recruitment, hiring, retention, assignment, and, when necessary, separation of Middle School faculty and staff. Conduct regular division, grade-level, and leadership meetings that are purposeful, efficient, and transparent. Family Engagement and Communication Serve as a trusted and accessible resource for families while maintaining appropriate communication channels. Communicate proactively and transparently Listen carefully to parent perspectives and respond with empathy, clarity, honesty, and professional judgment. Partner with families in helping students develop independence, accountability, and readiness for high school and beyond. Jewish Values and Culture Support the integration of Jewish values, culture, tradition, Hebrew, and Israel throughout the Middle School experience in partnership with Jewish Studies leadership. Connect the School’s Jewish values to community responsibility, service, and student leadership. Help students develop a confident sense of Jewish identity and responsibility as members of the broader community. Operations, Scheduling, and Resources Oversee Middle School schedules in partnership with academic leadership Manage the division budget responsibly and make thoughtful recommendations regarding staffing, program investment, and resource allocation. Develop and sustain efficient systems for communication, meetings, workflow, and follow-through. Schoolwide Leadership, Admissions, and Community Serve as an active member of the School’s Education and Core Leadership Teams. Represent the Middle School in admissions, retention, recruitment, and community-facing activities. Communicate compellingly about the distinctive value of the Middle School and the strengths of its graduates. Supervise and support experiential learning, extracurricular activities, athletics, arts, service, traditions, celebrations, and other experiences that contribute to a rich Middle School community. Partner across divisions to strengthen transitions into Middle School and ensure a cohesive student and family experience. Fulfill other duties consistent with the scope and leadership responsibilities of the position in support of the greater school community. Qualifications and Experience Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in education, educational leadership, or a related field strongly preferred. Significant
