Director of Social-Emotional Wellness

Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart in Princeton, New Jersey is an independent Sacred Heart school for boys in Kindergarten through Grade 8. We are currently seeking a full-time Director of Social-Emotional Wellness starting in the 2020–21 school year. 

Rooted in the more than 200-year tradition of the Society of the Sacred Heart, the mission of Princeton Academy is to develop young men with active and creative minds, a sense of understanding and compassion for others, and the courage to act on their beliefs. Princeton Academy has established itself as an outstanding school for boys that educates the whole child: intellectual, spiritual, moral, social, emotional, and physical. Princeton Academy seeks candidates who believe in the mission and vision of the school.

At Princeton Academy, each boy and his family are seen, known, heard, and valued. Fostering a joyful learning environment that prepares young boys for the first steps along their educational journey is the primary goal of our school experience. Princeton Academy has created a program that meets the varied needs of our young gentlemen, steeped in years of gender-based research on how boys learn best, including differentiated learning. The social, academic, and physical development of each boy is paramount. Academic programs, based on best practices for boys, have been created to meet boys' physical and social needs, learning styles, and broad interests. Movement is incorporated into the learning environment, making it easy for boys to engage in learning. The result is: they love to come to school.

The Director of Social-Emotional Wellness reports directly to the Assistant Head of School and works closely with the School Leadership Team (SLT). The DSEW leads in a Kindergarten through Grade 8 capacity and works with Lead Classroom Teachers, Classroom Teaching Specialists, students, and families to ensure all students make academic and social-emotional progress, and that all members of our community are informed and feel supported. Clear and effective communication with families is necessary and a good sense of humor, a positive outlook, and an appreciation of the unique qualities of the age group are essential. Candidates must show a strong willingness to receive feedback regularly, grow professionally, significantly contribute to the life of the school, and be eager to work in a culturally and ethnically diverse school community, committed to social justice, equity, and inclusion. The position will also provide the opportunity for advancing Princeton Academy’s Epic Vision through leadership of initiatives in the School's 5-year strategic plan and through Princeton Academy's soulful commitment to advance the imperatives of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI). Additionally, there will be inspired opportunity to fulfill the mission of Princeton Academy and enrich the curriculum of the School to reflect its beautiful diversity within the promise of this space. There are additional opportunities for leadership and engagement based upon the candidate’s interests and skills.

The position requires clear collaboration and communication with all community constituents, specifically the Assistant Head of School. 

This position requires:

• A strong belief in the mission and vision of Princeton Academy, the Sacred Heart Goals and Criteria, and Princeton Academy’s Learning Principles for Boys are essential
• A joyful and inspirational approach to teaching and learning, along with an articulated desire to work with boys 
• Three or more years of related experience in an educational setting; experience within a K-8 environment is valued
• Bachelor’s degree required, master’s and/or doctoral degree preferred
• Collaboration with the Princeton Academy Faculty and Staff
• Enthusiasm about working collaboratively to build curriculum and improve pedagogy
• Providing social-emotional resources and tools for students to support their growth and development
• Conducting structured sessions, using group and/or individual techniques, that are appropriate to the identified educational and personal/social/ goals and that meet the needs and abilities of each individual
• Providing developmental, preventative, and/or responsive guidance for individuals, small groups, and whole-class groups to assist boys
• Supportive leadership in the expansion of our Health and Wellness curriculum and programming
• Supporting teachers in implementing the social-emotional curriculum, and provide responsive lessons as needed
• Leading faculty professional development about child development and mental health
• Observing classroom settings by request from faculty, administrators, and parents

Personal Qualities:

• Commitment to professionalism and excellence
• Commitment to continuous growth and improvement
• Organized and able to manage multiple tasks
• Socially conscious and wants to make a difference in the world
• Sense of humor, energetic, optimistic, gregarious
• Child-centered
• Effective communicator, orally and in writing
• Collaborative, flexible
• Creative
• Accessible, approachable
• Passionate

Interested candidates are asked to submit: 

• A letter of interest
• A current resume
• A statement of educational philosophy
• List of references upon request

Please submit materials electronically via email attachment to Assistant Head of School Paris McLean at pmclean@princetonacademy.org. Princeton Academy will acknowledge receipt and contact you.

Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.