Lower School Principal

Thuringia International School Weimar, Germany seeks a Lower School Principal Effective 1st August 2018.

Thuringia International School (ThIS) seeks a dynamic team leader with strong pedagogical knowledge and outstanding organisational, communication, and collaboration skills to assume the leadership of the Lower School (Kindergarten to grade 5).

School Mission

Thuringia International School offers an exemplary internationally-recognised education based in the English language that enables students to fulfil their potential as active learners and empowered individuals who are able to promote positive change in the world.

School Vision

Thuringia International School strives to enable a high standard of student achievement and lay the foundations for life-long learning by:

• Offering a breadth of programs and learning experiences;
• Developing a well-qualified and highly-skilled teaching staff that is committed to placing students at the centre of learning;
• Nurturing a community climate that is fully engaged with its location and setting that celebrates linguistic and cultural diversity, and that is respectful, inclusive, and committed to open communication;
• Providing excellent facilities & resources.

The school

This was founded in 2000 to serve the international and internationally-minded community in the Thuringia state region of Germany. The school now has 315 students in Kindergarten to grade 12 in a new building. The school is authorised to offer the PYP and DP of the International Baccalaureate and is a candidate school for the MYP. The school is accredited by the Council of International Schools and is a member of the Association of German International Schools. More information about the school can be found on the school’s website: www.this-weimer.com.

The Location

Weimar is a small pleasant town of about 60,000 people. It’s about three hours by train from Frankfurt in one direction and Berlin in another (the train and road connections are very good). There’s not as much going on as in large cities, but it’s a university town (music and art) and so there’s a lot of cultural activity. Weimar is the home of Goethe and Schiller and has been called the ‘spiritual’ home of Germany, and there are many museums and cultural events associated with this heritage. It’s also a pleasant environment for outdoor activities; cycling, walking, swimming, tennis are popular here. The town centre is very pleasant for restaurants, etc. The nearby city of Erfurt has more shops and is only 20 minutes by train. The school’s location is delightful, in a countryside setting amid traditional architecture immediately next to the Park am der Ilm (the Goethe Park) and less than thirty minutes’ walk from town in one direction and the Belvedere mansion in the other. Most teachers walk or cycle (or ride the bus) from town to work because it’s such a safe and pleasant environment.

The Position

The Lower School Principal is responsible for the total operation of the Lower School (grades K-5) including the administration and supervision of all phases of the instructional program. The Lower School Principal serves as the instructional leader and is the PYP co-ordinator. The Lower School Principal provides leadership, administrative, and supervisory skills to support the educational development of students as well as to promote parent and community involvement. The Lower School Principal is directly responsible to the Director.

The Lower School Principal shall possess the following qualifications and/or experience:

• A degree (preferably a master’s degree or equivalent) with specialization in education, educational administration, or related fields.
• At least five years of elementary teaching experience;
• Previous experience in a leadership position;
• Previous international working experience;
• Previous experience with the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program;
• Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a Senior Leadership Team, staff members, students and parents;
• Experience in implementing the principles and current trends in elementary education, curriculum, staff development, essential elements of instruction and supervision;
• Personal qualities associated with good human relations and interpersonal relations;
• Ability to lead staff toward instructional improvement and conduct staff development sessions;
• Ability to establish and lead grade level and departmental teams;
• Ability to communicate effectively and at a native-speaker level in English;
• Willingness to learn German.

The Lower School Principal shall:

• Coordinate and supervise all activities and programs conducted in grades K-5;
• Act as PYP Coordinator
• Evaluate the implementation of programs in grades K-5 and provide professional support as needed;
• Evaluate the performance of all Lower School staff and provide opportunities for improvement;
• Be responsible for the overall achievement, welfare and conduct of students in the Lower School;
• Act to promote and maintain strong parental and community involvement in the Lower School;
• Actively work in such a way with other coordinators to develop a positive whole school unity;
• Seek out opportunities to develop relationships with the wider international community;
• Support efforts to market the school within the community.

The contract

This is a two-year contract beginning August 1, 2018, renewable by mutual agreement. Details about compensation and benefits will be provided to long-listed candidates.

Application Procedure

Candidates should submit a single pdf file comprising a CV/resume with date of birth, evidence of qualifications, open references if available, the current email address and telephone number of three referees (including current place of employment), and an introductory letter (maximum one page) to: Phil Armstrong, Director, Thuringia International School: this.jobs@this-weimar.com.

The deadline for applications is 29 January, 2018.

Long-listed candidates will be interviewed by Skype in early February. Short-listed candidates will be invited to visit the school for two days in mid-February.