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Junior School Principal
International School of Florence (Italy)

 

Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of The International School of Florence ( ISF ) we are pleased to announce the selection of Anthony ( Tony ) Pascoe as their new Junior School Principal, effective January 2022.

Tony brings international experience to the position, as Technology Integrationist at Shanghai Community International School and as Assistant Elementary Principal at Magen David Academy in Panama. Since returning to the United States in 2017 Tony has been the Elementary Principal at King-Murphy Elementary School in Evergreen Colorado, a school that has offered the IB Primary Years program since 2011. As teacher and school leader Tony brings the vision and innovation that strongly  align with ISF values, a foundation that he hopes will enable him to be a contributor to the ISF team and community.

Tony earned a B.Sc. in Elementary Education, an M.Ed. in Educational Technology, a Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership,  and is currently enrolled in an Ed.D. program at the University of Colorado which he hopes to complete in 2021. Tony and his wife Cesy have a three year old son Tony Jr. ; they will be joining Tony in Florence.

Interim Head of School, Dr. David Ottaviano and Board Chair Cathleen Compton , the ISF Search Committee assisted by interview panels of students, teachers, and parents, as well as Search Associates would like to thank all candidates who expressed an interest in the Junior School Principal position and to everyone who supported the search process.

Günther Brandt
Senior Consultant
Search Associates

 

 

Seeks a new

Junior School Principal

For

January of 2022 or July/August of 2022 latest

SCHOOL AND LEADERSHIP PROFILE - JUNIOR SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

 The International School of Florence is proud to be a research-led organization that inspires young people around the world to become independent thinkers and compassionate members of society. Founded in 1952, ISF has a mature history of international education and plays a central part of the infrastructure of the city.  ISF currently serves the needs of 560 students from over 40 countries. A not for profit association governed by a largely parental Board, the school has been accredited for many years by both the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Middle States Association (MSA).  ISF is also authorized to offer the IB Primary Years and Diploma Programmes. The school currently occupies two beautiful, historic buildings in the centre and periphery of Florence. Oversubscribed and enjoying a strong reputation amongst the international and local communities, ISF’s Florentine location is central to its identity and Florence continues to be a city of global significance. As such, the school has unmatched opportunities for the city to act as both its campus and curriculum and students joining the school for any length of time have unique learning opportunities.

In response to continued demand and in order to modernize its learning environments, ISF has begun the search for a unified and expanded campus; growth, both literally and metaphorically, will shape its immediate future.

In 2018, The Board of Governors and the Head of School committed ISF to a comprehensive strategic planning process that reviewed the school’s Vision, Mission, and Guiding Statements. The outcomes of this process have allowed the school to enhance the provision of a student experience that is culturally rich, intellectually stimulating, inclusive and research-led.

The school has recently launched its own Research & Development Unit that will respond to emerging challenges and opportunities. It will have a horizon-scanning function with a participatory character drawing on school, Florentine and international expertise to ensure that ISF acts as a hub for contemporary thought. ISF has also recently launched its own funded Professional Research Programme to support reflection, creative thinking and innovation.  Such recent developments give a flavour of the character of the school’s ambitions.

In support of these significant developments, and to realize this vision, successful applicants for the position of Principal will be distinguished by core characteristics consistent with the school’s strategic obligations. As such, the school is keen to appoint professionals committed to working in a not for profit organization in a European setting. This comes with challenges as well as opportunities and collaboration will be required in order to secure progress.  The school’s Senior Leadership Team needs to be conspicuous in its strategic focus, collaborative in outlook, able to mentor and hold colleagues accountable, as well as demonstrate the beneficial impacts of its decision-making.

The school encourages applications from like-minded professionals able to work collegially, demonstrate educational imagination and innovation, and act with a significant amount of autonomy. Future colleagues are likely to be seasoned international practitioners who can speak with authority on the value(s) of international education, the programmes of the IB and are actively engaged with professional research. As you will be expected to represent the school nationally and internationally, you either will have an established profile or will be keen to develop one.  You will be able to demonstrate drive, ingenuity and be infectious in your commitment to student learning wherever that takes place. You will certainly wish learning to be fully immersed in Florentine culture and will naturally regard the fostering of student agency and leadership as one of your main priorities.

The immediate future of the school is extremely exciting and post-holders will bring a great deal to its success. This is a significant opportunity for professionals interested in crafting a future-orientated educational vision and positioning the school as a leader in its field.

                  

INTRODUCTION TO MISSION, VISION, AND STRATEGIC PLAN

Faced with a social and educational landscape that is shifting rapidly, even well-established institutions such as ISF need to ask afresh, “What now counts as a meaningful education?” This allows us to reflect on what should be our appropriate identity, purpose, and ambition in the face of emerging challenges and opportunities. Throughout the course of the 2018-2019 school year, we used a variety of community meetings as well as formal planning processes to address these questions. The outcomes of this engaging collective effort are reflected in our new Mission, Vision, and Strategic Plan. These will act as our roadmap for the future as well as representing a series of commitments for which we can all be proud, and to which we can all be accountable.

We are therefore delighted to envisage a future for ISF that will be distinguished by core characteristics that will allow the school to offer an educational experience that is internationally-minded, uniquely Florentine, outward looking and research-led in its commitment to educational innovation. The principal agents of change will be the young people in our community as they learn and work together to shape a shared future. The challenges that they will face are diverse and complex, and will require original, critical and creative response. To that end, we should be prepared to experiment, foster new forms of professional engagement for teachers and aim to be a hub for international best practice.

At the heart of any meaningful and rewarding experience is the wellbeing of the learner. At ISF, we will continue to educate the whole person, recognizing that the definition of success, as well as the path to achieve it, is as diverse as the community we serve. Indeed, our cultural and linguistic diversity are our greatest assets and these need to be reflected in the values that we uphold, and how these shape our daily interactions with each other and a wider world.

It is difficult to imagine a more interesting time to be involved in learning and teaching. The challenge of change is also the excitement of opportunity. It seems entirely appropriate that innovation, authenticity and experiment, all hallmarks of our city’s past, should also be the distinctive features of our school’s future.

 

 

ISF’S MISSION, VISION, AND STRATEGIC PLAN

     

MISSION A laboratory for learning where we collaborate to add meaning to a shared future.

VISION We aspire to build communities of creative makers and doers.

STRATEGIC PLAN

MEANINGFUL LEARNING AND STUDENT AGENCY | Cultivate growth through a meaningful and inspiring learning experience.

• Provide relevant innovative methods of student and professional learning consistent with inquiry
• Empower students to take ownership of their learning experiences
• Ensure that student wellbeing is at the core of our practices
• Promote and honor home language learning in recognition of our unique identities
• Embrace, foster, and promote diversity within our community
• Draw upon the unmatched learning opportunities of Florence
• Recognize the impact of our actions on our interdependent world and promote a culture of solidarity

ENABLING CHANGE | Develop constituencies for change.

• Develop of culture of participation to define the direction of the change demanded by our Mission and Vision
• Ensure regular and purposeful communication regarding changes and their benefits

CONNECTING WITH PURPOSE | Communicate and reflect our unique, shared identity and connect effectively with local and international partners.

• Communicate our shared identity effectively
• Develop a strategic marketing plan that addresses the aspirations of the school
• Cultivate dynamic relationships with local, national, and global partners

LEADING BY EXAMPLE | Further a virtuous culture  of leadership and governance.

• Ensure that whole-school structures and systems continue to reflect evolving international best practices
• Ensure that roles and responsibilities continue to be clear
• Harmonize internal strategies with external obligations
• Implement frameworks of self and collaborative appraisal

FINANCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT | Build sustainable financial and risk frameworks to ensure achievement of strategic intents.

•  Implement and monitor a long-range budgeting process
• Ensure the cost efficient use of available resources
• Support the development of a variety of income streams
• Ensure that risk is effectively monitored and managed
• Ensure that all financial and risk management strategies and actions remain consistent with the Mission and Vision

      

JUNIOR SCHOOL PRINCIPAL JOB DESCRIPTION

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION

• Serve as the Educational/Instructional Leader for the Junior  School
• Observe and evaluate professional staff, on a systematic basis, in collaboration with the Director of Learning and Research/Head of School, to provide feedback about  instructional performance to ensure that the quality instruction remains the top priority
• Establish a regular cycle of curriculum/academic programme review and or revision
• Establish clear assessment practices to measure student growth at strategic intervals during the school year and to work collaboratively with staff to inform instruction
• Monitor student progress by interpreting and analyzing assessment results, in collaboration with staff.
• Devise appropriate instructional interventions to remedy deficiencies to effect improvement in student achievement and to ensure academic programme rigor
• Establish a system of professional development, in conjunction with the Director Of Learning and Research  and the Head of School, to ensure that staff are given appropriate opportunities to grow as professionals
• Meet regularly with the school leadership team to ensure ongoing and effective planning and communication

MANAGEMENT OF THE SCHOOL

• Maintain supervisory authority for all staff associated with the Junior  School
• Coordinate and organize annual budgetary needs, in concert with the Head of School, heads of departments and other appropriate personnel, relating to instructional needs
• Maintains effective and ongoing communications with the parent community concerning students and events at ISF
• Meet with parents, as needed, to address issues of concern
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with staff and students
• Meet with student leadership groups, or individuals, to ensure that students have an advisory voice in the school
• Actively participate and collaborate with the Head of School in staff recruitment, selection and retention
• Provide oversight of the staff schedule, in collaboration with the Vice Principal for Learning and  the Head of School
• Communicate periodically, as needed, with Board members
• Work in collaboration with the Communications Office to ensure positive communications with the parent community
• Works collaboratively with the Head of School and the Admissions Office to evaluate student applications on an ongoing basis

 PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

• Lead, in conjunction with the Director for Learning and Research, staff professional learning across the Junior School and in consultation with the VP for Learning.
• Ensure staff professional learning needs are met in a fair and equitable manner and based on the outcomes of appraisal
• Evaluate, with the Vice-Principal  Learning, the impact of professional development
• Manage middle leadership training  for all existing and aspiring Middle Leaders
• Lead Staff Appraisal and the Career Development Continuum
• Ensure all new teaching staff are working at the anticipated level on the Career Development Continuum and feel supported in their duties.
• Monitor and support teachers and support staff in their duties
• Support the Vice-Principals in their respective roles, ensuring there is clarity and parity between roles and the interface between Principal and Vice-Principals is understood and mutually supportive

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Good quality first degree in a relevant teaching subject
• Qualified teacher status
• Post-graduate qualification or demonstrable experience of advanced professional learning
• 3-5 years leadership experience in international schools
• Substantial experience of IB programmes
• Experience of international accreditation protocols
• Have overseas international school experience and demonstrated success in a multicultural school environment with the ability to foster trust in his or her leadership.
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication (listening, written and oral) skills as well as strong analytical, decision-making and planning skills.
• Be student-centered, open, approachable and positive.

Application Procedures:

ISF has appointed Search Associates to facilitate the search with Dr. Gunther Brandt serving as the Senior consultant.  The deadline for applications is July 16, 2021. However, candidates should note that the search committee will begin reviewing applications as soon as they are received from Search Associates. In the event an outstanding applicant is identified early in the search process, ISF reserves the right to make an appointment before the deadline. For this reason, it is essential that interested candidates apply as soon as possible. For further information about ISF, please visit the website at http://www.isfitaly.org/

Candidates who wish to apply should submit the information requested below in the form and manner requested.

• A letter of application, no longer than two pages, explaining your strengths as a candidate and why you are interested in the Junior School Principal at the International School of Florence.
• A current resume not to exceed two pages.
  
• A one-page list of at least four references who have directly supervised the performance of the candidate with the current phone numbers and e-mail addresses.
• A maximum of four letters of recommendation which you may already have in your possession.

Candidates should send the requested information in a single PDF attachment.

Please send all materials to Dr. Gunther Brandt at: gbrandt@searchassociates.com

 

We reserve the right to close the search earlier than the stated application deadline if a suitable and qualified candidate is found early in the process.  Interested applicants should submit all required materials as early as possible.

  

Please note that we will not forward-on candidates for further consideration by the hiring school/organization if a candidate is under contract or otherwise encumbered in such a way that would preclude them from freely entering into a new employment contract, if offered, and being available for the start date stipulated by the hiring organization.  Search Associates will contact the current employer/supervisor to request completion of a Search Associates Confidential Leadership Reference Form for all Applicants who emerge in the search as a Finalist.