Head of School

The major responsibility of the Head of School is to lead and manage the day-to-day operations of Koraes Elementary School.  In keeping with the school’s mission, the Head of School fosters the traditions, relationships, and practices that determine the school’s climate and culture. This includes directing and overseeing curriculum and instruction, programs and activities of students, faculty and staff for grades preschool through grade eight, and to meet the educational standards required by the school and the school’s accrediting agencies.

Orthodox Christian and Hellenistic Identity

The employee must be a Christian with an authentic and a mature personal relationship with Jesus Christ in both their professional conduct and personal lifestyle. The employee is committed to incorporating these qualities and standards in carrying out the calling to Christian education so that he/she:

  • Promotes and facilitates an environment which fosters the Hellenistic and Orthodox Christian identity of the school
  • Promotes parent/guardian partnerships in order to advance the mission of the school and the ministry of Orthodox Christian education.
  • Encourages students, school families and faculty members to celebrate liturgies, and the feasts of the liturgical year
  • Interviews and recommends and hires staff of Christian faith
  • Oversee reregistration process including re-enrollment for families and students of the Orthodox Christian faith
  • Conduct new student screenings and family interviews, discerning appropriate fit for enrollment at Koraes Elementary School

Curriculum and Instruction Leading to Academic Excellence

  • Ensures a dynamic and multifaceted educational day devoted to furthering Orthodox Christianity and Hellenic language and culture through educational achievement 
  • Upholds the academic and ethical standards of the school
  • Ensures all students learn to their fullest potential, using data to inform decision-making
  • Assists faculty in utilizing effective learning strategies that integrate technology
  • Acts as the instructional leader of the school by recruiting, hiring, supervising, evaluating, and providing quality professional development for highly qualified, certified staff members to improve student learning
  • Fosters professionalism, collegiality, and ethical conduct in the faculty 
  • Provides for the professional development of the faculty
  • Stimulates and participates in the dialog about teaching and learning at the school
  • Supervises the selection of curricula, class schedules, assessments, graduation requirements, and all aspects of the school’s academic program
  • Optimizes the physical learning environment and technology in all instructional areas
  • Works with Greek Department Head to ensure alignment of curriculum
  • Works closely with the parish priest to ensure the religion curriculum is aligned within a scope and sequence

Student Life

  • Organizes student activities and extracurricular opportunities
  • Administers the school’s discipline policies and standards of conduct
  • Supervises the school’s support systems, such social and emotional supports, academic support, before- and after-school programs,health and wellness, etc.
  • Oversees the school safety programs including building security, emergency procedures, transportation regulations, tornado and fire drills, etc. 
  • Promotes a healthy student culture in and out of school
  • Optimizes all-school gatherings including assemblies, sporting events, performances, etc. 
  • Provides for social and emotional learning and ethical teachings in keeping with the mission of our Christian Orthodox school
  • Reports student progress to parents on a timely and helpful basis 

Business, Finance and Building Operations

  • Understands and supervises the business functions of the school, including budgeting; monitoring and reporting income, maintenance of appropriate records; and assisting the parish treasurer and/or school board member
  • Oversees all employment and human relations matters, such as contracts, salaries, benefits, job assignments, job orientation, performance evaluation, retentions and dismissals, personnel records, employee handbooks, etc. 
  • Oversees the maintenance and cleaning of the building and grounds in conjunction with the church office and parish council representative 
  • Collaborates plans and execution of repairs, and building projects
  • Explore and apply for grants as appropriate
  • Complete the necessary portals for state reporting
  • Responsible for the annual accreditation requirements

Mission and Planning 

  • Works with the School Board to oversee the growth of the school 
  • Assists the Board with follow through on both short and long-term goals
  • Ensures adherence to the school’s Strategic Plan 
  • Works with the KPTA to oversee fundraising and where funds are to be distributed
  • Serves as chief spokesperson for the school, assuring proper representation of the school and the Board to the community

 Required Qualifications

  • Must be a Christian and live a lifestyle that demonstrates such practice
  • Must have a current Professional Educator License with a Principal or General Administrative Endorsement in the State of Illinois
  • Leadership experience at the elementary school level
  • Knowledge of school administrative processes and educational regulations
  • Hands-on experience with Google and education management systems
  • Previous leadership/coaching experience involving working with teachers and staff
  • Ability to project positive images to students, staff members, parents, the parish community, the School Board, and the parish council
  • Demonstrates a record of dynamic leadership that includes partnering with staff and parents
  • Maintain attention to detail
  • Excellent presentation and communication skills
  • Experience in crisis management
  • Ability to coach and inspire

Essential Skills and Abilities

  • Collaborate with the Director of Instructional Services in order to evaluate development and administration of elementary curriculum and instruction
  • Professional written and verbal communication skills
  • Strong teacher recruitment, development and evaluation skills
  • Knowledge of the Danielson Framework for Teaching 
  • Exceptional leadership skills
  • Creative problem-solver
  • Ability to create and maintain Christlike partnerships with all constituents
  • Working knowledge of NWEA MAP assessment and Schoolwide Inc.

Experience / Knowledge

An advanced degree in education or a related field, and at least five (5) years of successful experience in an educational setting are required. Leadership experience at the elementary school level is required.

  • A minimum of three (3) years experience as an administrator preferred.
  • Experience working with students with special needs
  • Knowledge and experience building the capacity of teacher teams
  • Experience using data to develop priorities and action planning
  • Experience leading adults toward a common goal

Physical Demands

  • Must be able to meet physical requirements of the position 
  • Must be able to maintain a stationary position for the majority of the work day.
  • Must be able to traverse campus
  • Must be able to use computers, appropriate software, and other audio-visual equipment
  • Must be able to position oneself to work with children
  • Must be able to communicate with others
  • Specific vision abilities required in this position include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus
  • The employee must be able to discern low volume sounds
  • Must be able to assist children for health and safety reasons
  • Will be expected to work evenings and some weekends as required by the school’s event supervision calendar

Work Schedule

This is a full time, 12-month position with regular daily hours of 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Additional evening and occasional weekend hours are to be expected to attend scheduled and unscheduled meetings, student activities, school programs, etc. This position begins July 1, 2024. The administrator does not work during school breaks or scheduled school days off. Vacation time for the Administrator is set by his/her contract.  The School Board will be offering a multi-year contract upon evaluation of the first year. Starting salary range: $75,000-$85,000, based on demonstrated experience and qualifications.

Benefits:

  • Family dental insurance
  • Family health insurance
  • Family vision insurance
  • Professional Development reimbursement as approved by the School Board
  • Access to an onsite administrative mentor

Answers to and is evaluated by the School Board annually.

Application Process

All documentation will be sent to application@koraes.org 

  • Succinctly state your philosophy why a faith-based education is important for families and students in the 21st century.
  • Succinctly, but specifically, tell us which people, what books, what schools, what podcasts, etc. influence your educational philosophy?
  • Letter of intent
  • Current resume
  • Three references with relationship to applicant

Posted by

Koraes Elementary School / Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church

11025 S. Roberts Rd.
Palos Hills, IL 60465

Web: koraes.org
Email: blind@koraes.org
Phone: 708-974-3402

Posted on: April 23, 2024