The Pingry School · 1 month ago
Assistant Lower School Director of Academics
Short Hills, NJ
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
$100K/yr - $140K/yr
5+ years expThe Pingry School is a prestigious K-12 independent day school known for its academic excellence. They are seeking an experienced Assistant Lower School Director of Academics to oversee the K–5 academic program, drive curricular innovation, and support faculty development while ensuring an inclusive and responsive learning environment for all students.
EducationPrimary EducationSecondary Education
Responsibilities
Model and reinforce the Pingry Honor Code and Lower School Code of Honor
Keep current with best practices in elementary education, with a focus on foundational student competencies
Articulate and advance research-based pedagogical strategies in a K–5 setting
Support alignment and developmental progression of standards in the K–5 curriculum
Support the implementation of multiple modes of student assessment
Lead ongoing cycles of curriculum review and assessment practices to ensure coherence and effectiveness across K–5
In partnership with the Lower School Director, assist with designing the faculty teaching schedule, student homerooms, and class schedules
Direct Lower School curriculum coordinators and specialists to support alignment in the K–5 academic program
Partner with faculty to design and implement an academic program that advances cross-cultural perspectives and an appreciation for differences in our community
Observe and coach faculty to support instructional growth
Serve as the hiring partner for Lower School roles, collaborating with HR on job descriptions, assembling interview teams, reviewing resumes, conducting first-round interviews, and facilitating candidate debriefs
Direct Lower School specialists in scheduling and administering standardized tests (for example, ERBs)
Oversee school-to-family communication related to academics, including report cards, newsletters, curriculum overviews, and classroom updates
Monitor student academic progress in collaboration with classroom teachers, specialists, and families, and coordinate supports or interventions when concerns arise
Review grades and report card comments, and participate in parent-teacher conferences when needed
Build strong partnerships with families through clear, proactive communication about student learning and the Lower School academic program
Design and deliver parent-facing presentations and information sessions that deepen family understanding of the academic program and instructional approaches
Design, manage, and adjust student and faculty schedules in ways that support program priorities and student needs
Serve on Lower School admissions committees as needed, with attention to academic readiness and program alignment
Support Lower School admissions weekends and information sessions in partnership with the Admissions Office
Partner with the Lower School Director and Middle School Director to facilitate a cohesive transition of students from Lower School to Middle School
Serve on the K–12 Academic Committee to advance curriculum alignment and support curricular and programmatic initiatives
Assist the K–12 Academics Team in designing professional growth opportunities; serve as a resource for inclusive and equitable instructional strategies, assessment, and evaluation
Collaborate with the Experiential Education Team to align and advance K–12 experiential education initiatives across three campuses
Collaborate with the DEIB Department to align and advance K–12 DEIB initiatives across three campuses
Partner with the Lower School Director to set and implement annual K–5 academic priorities and align supervision, feedback, staffing, and professional growth to those priorities
Partner with the Assistant Director for Student Life to ensure classroom culture, community norms, and student-life programming support teaching and learning
Partner with the Dean of Students to monitor student learning and wellbeing, coordinate interventions, and co-lead student support meetings
Collaborate with the leadership team to design and facilitate effective grade-level and team meetings centered on student learning, data, and consistent practice across K–5
Work closely with the Lower School Director and Assistant Director for Student Life on parent communication in complex academic or SEL situations to ensure clear, aligned messaging
Perform other duties as assigned by the Lower School Director
Assist with curating summer academic resources in partnership with curriculum coordinators and specialists
Help to identify opportunities for summer academic programs in the Lower School
Qualification
Required
Master's degree required; advanced degree preferred
Teaching experience, preferably across lower and upper elementary grade levels
At least 5 years of school leadership experience, including people management
Enthusiasm for working with elementary educators and students
Strong leadership skills, including the ability to facilitate, collaborate, coordinate, and lead projects from inception to completion
Demonstrated success in elementary curriculum design, implementation, and evaluation
Experience mentoring teachers through observation, coaching, and professional learning
Ability to think strategically and lead faculty professional development
Ability to work effectively across grade levels and disciplines, building partnerships and connecting resources
Strong relationship-building skills across faculty, staff, students, and parents
Strong interpersonal skills, a positive outlook, and a creative approach to problem-solving
Commitment to intellectual engagement, stewardship and sustainability, and an inclusive school community; ease in working with diverse constituencies
Benefits
Medical, dental, and vision coverage
Retirement plans with employer matching
Life and disability insurance
Tuition remission for employees' children
Access to wellness and professional development resources
Company
The Pingry School
The Pingry School provides education from kindergarten thru grade 12.
201-500 employees
H1B Sponsorship
The Pingry School has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (1)
2023 (2)
2022 (4)
2021 (3)
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Olaf Weckesser
Chief Financial & Operating Officer
Serena Lin
Founder of the Pingry Thrift Store
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