• Job Description

  Req#: 32511758386

  Location: San Francisco, CA
  Reports To: Executive Director, Marybeth Cody

  Salary Range: 150-200k

  About The Serra Preschool (TSP)

  The Serra Preschool is a distinguished preschool known for its commitment to excellence in early childhood education, the cultivation of a tight-knit community, and a strong tradition of preparing children for continued success. Embracing "The Serra Way," a methodology employing play-based learning within a Catholic framework, TSP is dedicated to fostering spiritual, emotional, academic, and social growth, ensuring each child experiences the joy of learning and is on the road for a meaningful life.

  Position Summary

  The new Director will carry forward the legacy of "The Serra Way," preserving TSP's academic excellence, spiritual mission, and community-centered culture. This role requires a leader deeply committed to the Catholic faith and early childhood education who will build on existing strengths while bringing a fresh vision to maintain TSP's reputation and impact. The ideal candidate will demonstrate an exceptional ability to build relationships with families, teachers, and primary schools, guiding each student's journey with discernment and care.

  Key Responsibilities

  • Uphold and Advance TSP's Mission
    Ensure continuity of TSP's values and operational standards, honoring the school's Catholic identity and maintaining academic and developmental excellence in early childhood education.
  • Relationship Building
    Establish strong, trusting relationships with parents, teachers, and local primary school admissions directors. Guide families in understanding their children's unique qualities and in selecting suitable next steps in education.
  • Community Engagement and Enrollment
    Lead successful tours for prospective families, reinforcing the value of TSP's education. Maintain enrollment by fostering a community that values and supports TSP's mission.
  • Teacher Mentorship
    Mentor and support teachers in implementing developmentally appropriate, play-based teaching practices and fostering a cohesive, mission-driven classroom experience.
  • Maintain Catholic Identity
    Embody and promote TSP's Catholic mission, reinforcing its spiritual traditions and ensuring faith remains integral to all aspects of school life.
  • Fundraising and Financial Stewardship
    Host the annual fundraiser. Uphold tuition value by maintaining instructional quality and supporting successful student placements in primary schools of choice.

  Outcomes Within the First Two Years

  • Build Trust: Develop solid relationships with families, teachers, and key stakeholders, including the current director who will support the transition.
  • Establish Strong School Placement Relationships: Cultivate and maintain meaningful ties with admissions directors at top primary schools.
  • Maintain Enrollment and Reputation: Sustain the school's enrollment numbers and reputation through consistent community engagement and service excellence.
  • Successful Fundraising: Meet or exceed fundraising targets through a well-executed annual event.
  • Enhance Parental Engagement: Equip parents with insights about their children's growth and potential.

  Key Competencies and Character Qualities

  • Strong Catholic Identity and Religious Mission Alignment
    A leader who is rooted in and can advance the Catholic mission of TSP, honoring its spiritual foundation and traditions.
  • High Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and Relationship-Building Skills
    An intuitive and empathetic leader with a high capacity for building relationships across varied community groups, including parents, teachers, and school officials.
  • Expertise in Early Childhood Development
    Deep understanding of early childhood development, ideally with a master's degree in education from a reputable institution and a strong grasp of play-based pedagogy.
  • Intuition, Humility, and Strong Work Ethic
    The ability to discern community needs with a humble approach, demonstrating dedication to the role and commitment to the "Serra Way" of excellence.
  • Discernment in School Placement
    Skill in guiding parents on school selection, providing insights into each child's unique needs and supporting successful placements in the best-fit primary schools.
  • Mentorship and Coaching Skills
    A supportive mentor who can coach teachers in curriculum and pedagogy, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and alignment with TSP's mission.
  • Operational and Community Stewardship
    A capable administrator who can manage school logistics, oversee fundraising efforts, and maintain the quality and value of TSP's educational offerings.

  Qualifications

  • Master's degree in Early Childhood Education, Education Administration, or a related field (preferred).
  • Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience in an educational setting, with a preference for experience in a faith-based school.
  • Demonstrated commitment to Catholic education and values.
  • Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with families, teachers, and educational partners.

  How to Apply

  Submit your resume/CV along with a letter explaining your interest in TSP and why your experience has prepared you for this position.

  Our founders, director and our community of teachers and parents believe in the value of experiential curriculum with a purpose. The school's philosophy is premised upon the belief that each child is a unique individual. Every child brings her or his own special qualities and experiences to the school.
  
  With our belief that each child is unique, we work closely with each family to determine the optimal path for their child. Additionally, we have a variety of flexible options to meet family needs:
  
  

  • All day care
  • Early drop off starting at 8 am
  • Lunch program from noon - 1 pm
  • After hours care until 5 pm
  • Summer Sessions and Camps

  A Play-Based Approach for Holistic Development

  Our teachers seek to develop and promote each child's self-esteem, as well as their awareness of and responsibility for themselves, one another, and their shared world.

  Spirituality

  Our curriculum reflects Roman Catholic traditions and embraces the value of developing virtues such as kindness, generosity, sharing, empathy, and forgiveness. Stories and materials reflecting Christian roots of holidays such as Christmas and Easter are also shared with the children.

  Meet Our Founder

  Marybeth Cody has devoted her life to the well-being of children. With over four decades in the field of early childhood education, she brings a breadth and depth of experience to the position of Director that is unmatched in the city of San Francisco.
  
  Marybeth co-founded the Serra Preschool in 2001 and has served as its Director since its inception. Prior to Serra, Marybeth served as Head Teacher at 150 Parker Avenue School, where she was mentored by the late Doris Welch, a pioneer in the field and an instrumental force in the creation of the nursery program at Stanford's Bing School. Before her 25-year term at Parker, Marybeth graduated with honors from U.C. Davis, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development.
  
  The Serra curriculum is the end result of Marybeth's lifetime of research and hands-on experience building play-based, developmentally appropriate programs for young children – programs that integrate her love of the natural world and the wisdom of the Roman Catholic tradition. It's a unique approach and one that has produced remarkable results and brought joy to thousands of children over the course of her career.
  
  Marybeth and her husband Chris raised three children in their native San Francisco. Marybeth and Chris have been married 50 years and now enjoy the company of seven young grandchildren, a number of whom are graduates of Serra.

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• About the company

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