Primary School Head

Primary School Head (Ages 2, 3, Prekindergarten 4, Kindergarten)

Position Start Date: July 1st, 2025

Reports to: Head of School

FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary Range: $100,000 – $140,000

Glenelg Country School (GCS), an independent coeducational institution in Howard County, Maryland, with approximately 800 students, seeks an innovative and compassionate leader to serve as the Primary School Head for ages 2 through kindergarten. This position offers an exciting opportunity to lead and nurture a supportive and stimulating environment where young learners can thrive.

The Primary School Head will oversee the implementation and development of a comprehensive early childhood curriculum that promotes cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth. By fostering a deep love of learning, this leader will ensure that children are well-prepared for their future educational journeys. The Primary School Head will play a pivotal role in advancing GCS’s mission of cultivating a diverse community of learners who discover, contribute, thrive, and excel.

The ideal candidate will be an expert in early childhood education, with demonstrated success in program oversight. They will be responsible for maintaining and building a cohesive and inclusive learning environment, working closely with teachers, staff, and families to create meaningful connections and a sense of community. The Primary School Head will collaborate with a highly qualified and able corps of dedicated teachers, providing instructional leadership and situational support as needed while cultivating the ongoing professional development of their colleagues. The Primary School Head will also collaborate with the other division Heads to ensure continuity across grade levels and to uphold the school’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

By embracing the Reggio Emilia approach, the Primary School at Glenelg Country School creates a vibrant and dynamic learning environment that prioritizes the interests and needs of children. Through child-centered practices, an emphasis on the arts, strong community engagement, and a commitment to collaboration, the school fosters a nurturing atmosphere where students are empowered to discover, contribute, thrive, and excel in their educational journeys. This approach not only aligns with the school’s mission but also cultivates a love for learning that lasts a lifetime.

Family engagement is an essential aspect of the Primary School experience at GCS, and the Primary School Head will maintain strong, trusting relationships with families, offering regular opportunities for dialogue and collaboration. By fostering a warm and welcoming environment, the Primary School Head will ensure that students feel supported and that parents are confident partners in their children’s education.

In alignment with the values of Glenelg Country School, the Primary School Head will prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that all students and families within the early childhood program feel valued and respected. This leader will focus on cultivating a sense of belonging and respect for all, working collaboratively with the Lower School Head to maintain alignment across divisions. By integrating best practices in early childhood education with the school’s mission and values, the Primary School Head will support GCS’s long-term vision for its youngest learners.

Glenelg Country School is moving to a new model wherein the Primary and Lower School will be led by two separate Heads who will serve distinct, yet complementary, roles within Glenelg Country School, working closely together to provide a cohesive educational experience from early childhood through the elementary years. These roles are essential to upholding the school’s mission of cultivating a diverse community of learners who discover, contribute, thrive, and excel. The Primary School Head is dedicated to the unique needs of early childhood education, focusing on nurturing young learners and building foundational skills. Together, the Primary School Head and Lower School Head create a cohesive educational pathway that aligns with the school’s mission and values.

Key Elements of the Position:

• Focus on Early Childhood Education: The Primary School Head is primarily responsible for the youngest learners, specifically those ages 2 to 5. This role emphasizes the developmental needs of early childhood education, including cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth.
• Advocating for Child-Centered Practices: They will champion the principles of the Reggio Emilia approach, ensuring that teaching practices prioritize children’s voices, interests, and choices in their learning experiences.
• Family Engagement in Early Learning: They prioritize building strong relationships with families, engaging them in their children’s early education and creating a welcoming atmosphere for new families.
• Transitions for Young Learners: They focus on the responsibility for facilitating smooth transitions for young learners and their families into and within the school environment, laying the groundwork for future success in school.
• 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
• Knowledge of Reggio Emilia philosophy
• A demonstrated commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Five or more years teaching or working in an early childhood program
• Three or more years in an administrative or leadership role in an early childhood program
• Knowledge of applicable licensure regulations
• Bachelor’s degree and MS/MA, with preference for early childhood education

Administration: All prospective employees must be able to clear background checks, as required by the State of Maryland.

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 one flight 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.