The Tatnall School
Head of Upper School
The Tatnall School, Wilmington, Delaware, us, 19894
The Tatnall School seeks a visionary and strategic leader to serve as our next Head of Upper School beginning July 1, 2025. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated expertise in leading a collaborative, energetic professional community as well as experience in curricular and programmatic innovation. Tatnall prides itself on delivering a well-rounded education of academics, athletics, and the arts; building authentic relationships within the school community; and creating a personalized learning experience that prioritizes the achievement and well-being of our students. The Head of Upper School will align with this mission while fostering a joyful environment that is appropriately challenging and highly engaging.
The Upper School is a community of approximately 200 students and 25 faculty and staff. The Head of Upper School works closely with the other division leaders, serves on the senior leadership team, and reports to the Assistant Head of School.
The Head of Upper School serves as the educational leader and oversees the day-to-day operations of the division.
Essential responsibilities include but are not limited to:
School Culture:
Foster an Upper School community of students and faculty that values individual growth, achievement, and character building. Collaborate with the Director of Student Life to ensure the Upper School is vibrant and that opportunities for engagement and leadership are abundant. Engage in the School’s work around diversity, equity, and community, and partner with the Director of Equity and Community to enhance the student body experience. Maintain a visible, approachable presence in the hallways and classrooms. Prioritize engagement and relationship building with faculty and students. Attend extracurricular events to demonstrate investment in the Tatnall community. Academic Leadership:
Oversee, evaluate, and continually evolve the Upper School academic program and the use of effective classroom instruction and assessment in collaboration with the Assistant Head of School, Department Chairs, and the faculty. Manage the process for monitoring and communicating student academic achievement and personal growth. Broaden the scope of innovative opportunities, including signature and cross-disciplinary experiences, experiential programming for students, and community partnerships. Faculty Support:
Supervise and lead the growth and evaluation process for division faculty and staff. Support and mentor faculty through goals, informal and formal observations, and professional development opportunities. Play a lead role in hiring of Upper School faculty and staff. Plan meaningful faculty meetings. Possibly teach one class section and/or serve as an advisor. Administrative:
Review and confirm class schedules and faculty loads. Work alongside the Director of Student Life to review and refine Handbook policies and behavioral expectations and to enforce discipline and restorative procedures. Support and collaborate with colleagues responsible for key areas of the Upper School including Student Life, College Counseling, Learning Services, Diversity and Community, J-Term, Arts, Athletics, Advisory, and School Safety. Work closely with the Admissions Office to promote the division, participate in the review process for new and re-enrolling students, communicate with potential families, and coordinate a smooth onboarding process. Actively engage with the Senior Leadership Team including participation in regular meetings, ongoing communication and support across divisions and departments, and long-range planning. Manage the division budget with the CFO and work closely with the Director of Operations to maintain the physical plant and assess strategic opportunities. Communicate meaningfully, effectively, and in a timely fashion with faculty, students, and parents. Partner with the Home & School Association to enrich programs, communicate effectively around events and initiatives, and benefit the community at-large. The ideal candidate will possess the following leadership qualities and personal attributes: The vision to identify opportunities and challenges proactively while managing day-to-day operations A strong understanding of curriculum and research-based pedagogy The curiosity to always be growing as a leader and educator The discipline to build a culture of accountability An informed decision maker who is inquisitive and seeks different perspectives Experience in managing change Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with multiple constituencies Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail Strong communication skills (writing, listening, speaking) Resilience, empathy, and perseverance A community builder who is energetic, joyful, and models citizenship Understands and relates to Upper School students Preferred Qualifications: Advanced degree(s) preferred 3-5 years administrative experience 5 years or more of direct experience with 9-12 classroom instruction Experience working in an independent school
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Foster an Upper School community of students and faculty that values individual growth, achievement, and character building. Collaborate with the Director of Student Life to ensure the Upper School is vibrant and that opportunities for engagement and leadership are abundant. Engage in the School’s work around diversity, equity, and community, and partner with the Director of Equity and Community to enhance the student body experience. Maintain a visible, approachable presence in the hallways and classrooms. Prioritize engagement and relationship building with faculty and students. Attend extracurricular events to demonstrate investment in the Tatnall community. Academic Leadership:
Oversee, evaluate, and continually evolve the Upper School academic program and the use of effective classroom instruction and assessment in collaboration with the Assistant Head of School, Department Chairs, and the faculty. Manage the process for monitoring and communicating student academic achievement and personal growth. Broaden the scope of innovative opportunities, including signature and cross-disciplinary experiences, experiential programming for students, and community partnerships. Faculty Support:
Supervise and lead the growth and evaluation process for division faculty and staff. Support and mentor faculty through goals, informal and formal observations, and professional development opportunities. Play a lead role in hiring of Upper School faculty and staff. Plan meaningful faculty meetings. Possibly teach one class section and/or serve as an advisor. Administrative:
Review and confirm class schedules and faculty loads. Work alongside the Director of Student Life to review and refine Handbook policies and behavioral expectations and to enforce discipline and restorative procedures. Support and collaborate with colleagues responsible for key areas of the Upper School including Student Life, College Counseling, Learning Services, Diversity and Community, J-Term, Arts, Athletics, Advisory, and School Safety. Work closely with the Admissions Office to promote the division, participate in the review process for new and re-enrolling students, communicate with potential families, and coordinate a smooth onboarding process. Actively engage with the Senior Leadership Team including participation in regular meetings, ongoing communication and support across divisions and departments, and long-range planning. Manage the division budget with the CFO and work closely with the Director of Operations to maintain the physical plant and assess strategic opportunities. Communicate meaningfully, effectively, and in a timely fashion with faculty, students, and parents. Partner with the Home & School Association to enrich programs, communicate effectively around events and initiatives, and benefit the community at-large. The ideal candidate will possess the following leadership qualities and personal attributes: The vision to identify opportunities and challenges proactively while managing day-to-day operations A strong understanding of curriculum and research-based pedagogy The curiosity to always be growing as a leader and educator The discipline to build a culture of accountability An informed decision maker who is inquisitive and seeks different perspectives Experience in managing change Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with multiple constituencies Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail Strong communication skills (writing, listening, speaking) Resilience, empathy, and perseverance A community builder who is energetic, joyful, and models citizenship Understands and relates to Upper School students Preferred Qualifications: Advanced degree(s) preferred 3-5 years administrative experience 5 years or more of direct experience with 9-12 classroom instruction Experience working in an independent school
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