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Appointed - Ms. Rhonda Norris
Feb 6, 2023
Mar 6, 2023
Dear Search Colleagues,
On behalf of the Board of Trustees of the International Schools Group (ISG) in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia and the ISG Search Committee, we are pleased to announce that Ms. Rhonda Norris has been appointed Superintendent of the International Schools Group beginning in August 2024 for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Ms. Norris has most recently served as the Director of the Anglo-American School of Moscow, a position she has held since 2018. Prior to her leadership tenure in Moscow, Rhonda served as the Head of School at the Carol Morgan School in the Dominican Republic, Deputy Head of School of the International School of Beijing in Beijing, China, Assistant Head of School at Canadian Academy in Kobe, Japan, and Assistant Superintendent at Singapore American School in Singapore.
Ms. Norris earned her BBA in accounting from the University of Texas in Austin, her MEd in Education from Texas State University in Austin, and her Certification in Educational Leadership from Stephen F. Austin University.
The Board of Trustees of the International Schools Group (ISG), the ISG Search Committee, and Search Associates would like to thank all candidates who expressed interest in the Superintendent position, and to everyone who assisted and supported the successful search process.
Sincerely,
Brent Mutsch and Norma Hudson
Senior Consultants
International Schools Group
We inspire innovation and compassionate action.
The International Schools Group (ISG) is a not-for-profit international school with its headquarters and new main campus located in Al-Khobar in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. ISG operates as a district of five accredited co-educational day schools that deliver rigorous, college-preparatory American, Kindergarten to Grade 12 education and British Key Stage 1 to 4 educational programs. We support our students to aspire to their fullest intellectual potential. We encourage and enable them to seek a lifetime of high achievement, driven by integrity, acceptance of others, and personal ambition. We seek to achieve this through world-class programs implemented by dedicated professional educators in a safe and nurturing environment. Open communication with all our stakeholders is at the heart of our endeavors to support our students, parents, faculty, staff, local community and organizations that depend on ISG to be a leader in education.
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Student learning must be the primary focus of the decisions affecting our school.
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Development of the whole child socially, physically, intellectually and emotionally is imperative to success.
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We value our students as unique individuals and treat them with dignity; all our students are worthy of this respect.
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By inspiring our students, they will contribute to society as knowledgeable, responsible and cultured citizens.
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Differences in learning styles exist; therefore, students have the right to learn in a way that brings them personal success.
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Activities beyond the curriculum that foster leadership, confidence and teamwork are essential to the development of the whole child.
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Students learn best and are most successful when the learning environment is safe and secure.
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Understanding and acknowledging the values of all cultures and diversity is essential and enriches the learning environment.
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The recruitment, professional development and retention of excellent employees are of vital importance to our success.
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Our teachers and administrators are and must be inspiring; good morale is critical to the success of our schools.
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Excellence in education requires appropriate facilities where students experience security, care, dignity and respect.
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Our co-educational programs must be accomplished in a manner consistent with the regulations of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Education.
Sixty years of history and counting……
Founded in 1962 and now in its 60th year, ISG was established to serve the needs of expatriate families working for the U.S. Consulate in Dhahran. From its initial enrollment of six students to its present status as the operator of four campuses with three American and two British schools serving approximately 3,200 students, ISG has earned a reputation for providing the highest quality education. Today, over 50 nationalities make up the ISG student community.
ISG maintains an emphasis on progressive teaching and learning. Led by the Teaching and Learning Office within the district office, curriculum and learning programs are evaluated and reviewed regularly against current research and trends in education. 100% of ISG’s graduating students are accepted by top universities in the United States, United Kingdom and around the world.
The American schools (American School Dhahran, ISG Dammam, and ISG Jubail) follow a U.S. standards-based program inclusive of courses in English/language arts, mathematics, science and social studies. Elective courses are offered at each of the schools and consist of offerings in: Advanced Placement, to include the AP Capstone, art, choral music, instrumental music, physical education, technology and world languages (Arabic, French and Spanish).
The British schools (British School Dhahran and Sara Village School) follow the National Curriculum of England. British School Dhahran is organized by Foundation Stage and Key Stages 1 through 4. Students are class-based while in the Foundation Stage and Key Stages 1 and 2. In Key Stages 3 and 4, students are engaged in specialist lessons. Specialist subjects include Arabic, art, business studies, design technology, French, geography, history, information and communication technology, mathematics, music, PSHE (personal, social and health education), physical education and science. Key Stage 4 students (years 10 and 11) take an IGCSE program of study leading to examinations in year 11. Year 12 students must apply to sit for the Cambridge A Level exam. Sara Village School offers a Foundation Stage through year 6 program on the purpose-built British Aerospace Systems (BAE) residential community. Students completing the Sara Village program regularly transfer to the nearby British School Dhahran.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program
The Dhahran Baccalaureate Center (DBC) is currently authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) to offer the two-year program culminating in the awarding of the IB Diploma. Students begin the program in Grade 11 (American School Dhahran and ISG Jubail) and Year 12 (British School Dhahran). Successful completion of the program will lead to the IB Diploma which has served as currency for post-secondary options across the world.
Our Faculty and Administration
The ISG professional staff consists of approximately 300 members. Approximately 40% are locally hired teachers and the other 60% come predominantly from the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland and Canada.
The Superintendent’s senior leadership team includes the Assistant Superintendent, Directors of Finance, Operations, Teaching and Learning, Human Resources, Government Relations and school Principals and Assistant Principals. School administrative teams are comprised of counselors, grade level and department facilitators and learning support professionals.
The ISG Board of Trustees is composed of seven members who represent various stakeholder groups and companies within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Trustees serve two-year terms with the potential for serving multiple terms to ensure continuity in Board governance.
ISG Board member responsibilities for the district include:
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Reviewing the recommendations of the superintendent and senior administration and approving strategic decision designed to lead to mission-achievement.
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Working collaboratively with the administration and the community to develop a shared vision for excellence at each of the ISG schools.
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Adopting academic standards that when successfully achieved will provide students with multiple options for post-secondary education.
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Creating the structure and policies that will provide the means and guidelines for educational excellence across the entire organization.
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Ensuring that assessment systems are designed and implemented to measure academic performance and approve the necessary adjustments to ensure continuous improvement.
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Reviewing financial results and reviewing and approving annual budgets, tuition levels, delegations and other significant financial matters
Superintendent Job Description
The International Schools Group Superintendent is expected to provide leadership to successfully achieve the mission of ISG. In addition to a collaborative working relationship with the ISG Board of Trustees, the Superintendent works with the entire administrative leadership team, faculty and staff to establish appropriate immediate, intermediate and long-term direction for ISG and the schools that operate within the organization.
Specific responsibilities include:
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Provide expertise to the Board of Trustees regarding governance and policy development.
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Develop and cultivate positive relationships with local and national governmental entities within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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Create and cultivate strong relationships both within the ISG community as well as with organizations key to the success of ISG, including the U.S. Consulate in Dhahran.
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Assist with all aspects of campus facilities planning and related financing.
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Supervise and evaluate curricular and instructional effectiveness as measured by student performance.
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Engage in all fiscal management discussions and decisions and implement decisions in support of the strategic vision and plan for the school.
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Recruit, develop and retain high-quality faculty, staff and administrators.
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Oversee all human resource functions of the organization with an emphasis on supporting continuous improvement within each operational entity.
Ideal Qualifications in the New Superintendent
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Advanced degree in education – Ph.D. or Ed.D. preferred
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A minimum of five years of demonstrated success in leading an educational organization to higher levels of achievement and success
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Expertise in the development of organizational capacity
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Strong knowledge of U.S. curriculum
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International leadership experience preferred
Ideal Personal Attributes and Experiences in the New Superintendent
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Personal qualities of integrity, fairness, transparency and trustworthiness
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Embraces a collaborative, service-oriented leadership style
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Consistently visible and engaged with stakeholder groups
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An excellent communicator with extraordinary interpersonal skills
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Successful problem solver with a track record of success in multi-faceted organizations
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Experience with multi-cultural environments, including regional experience
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The ability to lead, inspire and manage a large, complex and multifaceted organization
The ISG Board of Trustees is committed to attracting and retaining a highly qualified candidate. Salary and benefits will be commensurate with qualifications and experience and will be highly competitive. The initial term of the contract will be a minimum of three years, but the Board’s desire is to retain the Superintendent significantly longer.
Procedure for Filing an Application
ISG has appointed Search Associates to facilitate the search with Dr. Brent Mutsch and Dr. Norma Hudson serving as the primary consultants. The deadline for applications is March 6, 2023. However, candidates are encouraged to submit a letter of interest and the requested material as early as possible as the Board reserves the right to accelerate the selection process if the right candidate is identified in advance of the application deadline. Semi-finalist candidates will be selected by Search Associates and the applications and supporting materials will be forward to the ISG Search Committee on a rolling basis. Candidates who wish to apply should submit the information requested below in the form and manner requested.
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A letter of application, no longer than two pages, explaining your strengths as a candidate and why you are interested in the ISG Superintendent position.
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A current resume not to exceed two pages.
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A one- or two-page statement outlining your philosophy of education.
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A one-page list of at least four references who have served as direct supervisors with current phone numbers and email addresses.
Final candidates (with spouses if applicable) will be invited to ISG in April and will have the opportunity to meet with faculty, staff, administrators, and the Board of Trustees. The new Superintendent will be appointed shortly after the interviews have been completed.
For further information about the International Schools Group please see the school’s website:
Brent Mutsch Telephone: (970) 368-0395 USA – EST
Norma Hudson Telephone: (970) 389-1906 USA – EST
