Principal
The Linden School

Ensures that they are a highly visible and mission-oriented role model for members of the School community, including students and families.

Attends School events and interacts with students on a regular basis. Encourages students to engage in the life of the School, as appropriate and consistent with Linden’s mission and values.

Assists the Associate Principals, as necessary, in interviewing current and potential students and to intervene in respect of serious matters, such as student discipline or other emergencies.

Oversees courses to be offered as a programme in consultation with the Associate Principals and faculty and ensures completion of courses of study. Reviews all report cards in consultation with Associate Principals and Guidance. In collaboration with the Associate Principals, advises on and provides final approval of the Timetable for the following year.

Develops and implements an effective hiring, training and development strategy for faculty and staff. Ensures the provision of regular, thoughtful and actionable feedback through various measures including regular performance evaluations.

Implements effective development strategies including but not limited to peer mentoring. Identifies and implements effective retention strategies that enable the School’s delivery of excellent programming. Engages in assessment of faculty’s pedagogy and curriculum on a regular basis based on standards established in collaboration with the Board of Trustees and the Associate Principals.

Provides supervision of faculty and staff [supporting a range of functions including but not limited to finance, admissions, communications, marketing, etc.] through active presence, work direction, guidance, and mentorship.

Oversees the programmes of visiting Faculty of Education students.

Oversees and addresses human resources matters in close consultation with the HR Committee of the Board of Trustees.

Collaborates with the Board and the HR Committee to develop and implement succession planning for the School’s key roles, including for the role of the Principal.

In collaboration with the Associate Principals and Guidance, responds to family/guardian queries and concerns.

Engages the family and/or guardian community in the life of the School, as appropriate and consistent with Linden’s mission and values, and works with families to ensure they are informed and engaged.

Oversees the growth and development of the School in collaboration with the Board of Trustees and the Associate Principals. This includes the promotion of the School to potential new students (families), to ensure growth in enrollment.

Additionally, the Principal must engage in ongoing collaboration and consultation with all of the School’s community members, including students, families, staff and faculty, to ensure high retention rates. The Principal must also lead the development of and regularly update the strategic plan of the School, with the support and oversight of the Board of Trustees.

The Principal is responsible for the financial management of the School in accordance with operational policies and must prepare the annual budget in collaboration with the Finance Committee and appropriate support staff.

The Principal is also expected to collaborate with the Board of Trustees in the planning and implementation of any major fundraising initiatives, including capital and annual giving campaigns.

The Principal creates, reviews, and amends appropriate communication and procedural material such as handbooks for students, faculty and staff.

Ensures that operational policies of the School are in compliance with all required legal standards (e.g. Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Education, Financial matters, Risk Management, etc.) Maintains a risk assessment and action plan and a crisis plan.

Responds to memos from the Ministry, ensures that courses of study are in compliance with Ministry Guidelines, and prepares for and follow-up after school inspections.

Works as necessary with outside agencies, including the C.A.S. and the Police.

Seeks legal advice about predictable emergencies or other situations as they arise, including legal changes related to the operations of the School.

Monitors for and oversees the implementation of opportunities to improve administrative efficiency.

Maintains currency in legal requirements and best practices as they pertain to all aspects of the School’s operations, including but not limited to human resources, occupational health and safety, and ethical workplace management practices.

The Principal is required to teach no less than 15% of a faculty member's teaching load (approximately three hours per week). The Principal may be required to provide teaching relief in emergency situations.

In order to ensure that the highest standard of education is delivered by the School, the Principal must be conversant with current research and issues in education, education reform, and feminist pedagogy.

In collaboration with the Associate Principals and Guidance, the Principal must also plan and facilitate ongoing professional development for staff and faculty and ensure that faculty are teaching in accordance with the School’s mission.

B.Ed. or equivalent teaching certification; a Master’s degree in Education is preferred.

Ten or more years of successful and innovative classroom experience ideally in both elementary and high school settings. A strong commitment to the student experience and wellbeing;

Four or more years of supervisory experience for a team of ten or more members with representation from different departments or areas of operations;

Multi-constituency community building experience is an asset; and,

Four or more years of academic leadership experience, including program and curriculum development.

Strong knowledge, passion, and enthusiasm for girls’ development and girls’ education;

Experience [or demonstrated capacity] to provide operational and administrative leadership, preferably in a not for profit model;

Demonstrated ability to lead within a distributive leadership model where consultation and collaboration is fostered;

Ability to achieve consistently strategic and responsive decisions, drawing on the input of others as appropriate; and,

Commitment to upholding and advancing the School’s values of equity, diversity, inclusivity, intellectual risks, anti-oppressive and anti-racist practices.

Excellent communication, relationship management and problem solving skills;

A risk-taker who invites others to join in working with innovation and courage;

Supportive, compassionate, and collaborative leader who is approachable, open, thoughtful, listens patiently, encourages robust exchange and is able to engage is challenging conversations with a high degree of effectiveness;

Has a positive outlook, is gregarious, warm, has a ready sense of humour, laughs readily and has a joyous outlook; and,

Models high standards and commitment to ongoing learning.