Gann Academy - Assistant Head of School for Jewish Education

Gann Academy, a pluralistic Jewish high school in the Greater Boston area, is recruiting an Assistant Head of School for Jewish Education to lead the school’s Jewish Studies, Jewish Life, Hebrew Language, and Israel Education programming. This Jewish visionary and dugma ishit will inspire high school students and faculty to engage in deep Jewish learning and find meaning in Jewish life both inside and outside the classroom. A passionate Jewish leader, the successful candidate should have a proven track record of leading a team around a shared vision of educational excellence. Come join our creative, hard-working, and student-centered team to move our school’s Jewish program from strength to strength!

OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

Gann Academy has entered its third decade in a place of remarkable strength. In the fall of 2020, the school welcomed nearly 300 students, with a waitlist for each grade.

The school’s organizational strength is only matched by the quality of its educational program. The school boasts an array of course offerings that have been augmented by the recent opening of Gann’s Innovation Space, home to courses in the arts, computing, fabrication, engineering, and design.

Gann’s agility and innovation in meeting the challenge of COVID-19 has bolstered its reputation both locally and among independent and day school colleagues across the country.

Now, as the new Head of School develops a strategic vision to take the school through its third decade, she seeks a partner to bring the school’s Jewish Education vision into fruition.

SUMMARY OF JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

The Assistant Head of School (AHoS) for Jewish Education will join Gann’s senior leadership team which serves as the main decision-making cabinet of the school. The AHoS is responsible for all elements of Jewish Education including Jewish Studies courses, Hebrew Language courses, Jewish Life programming, Z’man Kodesh, Israel education and Gann’s unique Israel course, weekly Kabbalat Shabbat community gathering (which we call Hakhel), and all other programming related to the development of students’ Jewish journey.

The successful candidate must be a proven team manager who knows how to inspire adults towards a common goal and develop a culture of hard work, innovation, and expansive thinking.

The successful candidate must have a significant level of content expertise in the field of Jewish Studies, Israel education, and Hebrew Language.

As the leader of Jewish education at Gann, the successful candidate will embody two key characteristics:

• Inspiration: the individual must be able to inspire and engage students, faculty, and staff to find meaning and joy in the study and practice of Judaism;
  and
• Pluralism: the individual must be able to connect and deepen Jewish engagement and learning across the spectrum of Jewish practices, beliefs, and
  backgrounds.

While big picture, strategic vision is critical, equally important is the candidate’s track record in implementing big picture ideas and leading teams to ensure that vision translates into excellent learning experiences for students. The successful candidate will be detail oriented, well-organized, and know how to implement and execute projects with follow-through and appropriate communication.

Finally, this individual must ultimately enjoy working with teenagers and be a master teacher of Jewish Studies. As part of our core philosophy at Gann, all senior leaders are expected to teach at least one class a year. The successful candidate should truly relish working with young adults in both formal and informal settings from the classroom to the dining hall to the outdoors.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Supervision

• Supervise teachers in the following departments: Jewish Studies, Jewish Life, Hebrew Language, Israel Education, Z’man Kodesh
• Develop written goals for each direct report, provide formal and informal feedback on progress towards goals

Key Administrative Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with the other Assistant Heads of School, to ensure that approaches to teaching and learning are consistent across departments
• Lead a strategic visioning process to review the current approach to curriculum and programming; manage the ongoing day-to-day delivery of
  curriculum and programming
• Manage the development of a more integrated approach to the teaching of Hebrew language, Jewish Studies, Jewish Life, and Israel Education
• Ensure the highest quality of programming in Jewish life that also respects the pluralistic nature of our community (holiday programming,
  Shabbatonim)
• Recruit, support, and retain excellent teachers. Serve as a resource for teachers, focusing on professional development and growth
• Communicate effectively and collaboratively with parents

Key Teaching and Advising Responsibilities

• Participate in a leadership role in all four class Shabbatonim, and all holiday programming
• Travel to Israel each year for at least two weeks with Gann students
• Teach one class a year
• Engage with students, and serve as a role model for students, actively work to engage students in the cultivation of their Jewish journeys

DESIRED COMPETENCIES, SKILLS, AND COMMITMENTS

• Excellent attention to detail and project management skills
• At least 3-5 years of successful team management experience PLUS
• At least 3-5 years of successful teaching experience at a middle or high school level in the field of Jewish Education
• Curriculum development experience in the field of Jewish Education
• Programming experience in the field of Jewish Education
• Experience incorporating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work in Jewish Education
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and high EQ
• Rabbinical Degree or other advanced graduate degree in fields of Jewish Studies or Jewish Education
• Written and spoken Hebrew preferred
• Ability to effectively lead others in managing relationships and interpersonal dynamics, navigate conflict well and foster a positive work environment
• Ability to maintain a sense of humor and positive outlook
• Ability to maintain fortitude, resilience, calm, and expansive thinking even when the going gets tough
• Interest in working hard and joining an extremely hard-working team
• Ability to inspire engagement in Jewish life across the religious spectrum
• Strong personal commitment to passionate Jewish living and learning
• Strong personal commitment to Jewish pluralism
• Strong personal connection to, and deep love of, Israel

TO APPLY
Please submit a one-page cover letter and resume.

DEADLINE
Applications close on January 15, 2021