Employment

Westside is seeking its next Middle School Head to begin July 2023. Reporting directly to the Head of School and as a member of the Educational Leadership Team, the Middle School Head will guide the middle school faculty and staff into the division’s next phase of development. The incoming Middle School Head will build on the many strengths of the program while bringing unifying processes and vision to a talented team.

Challenges & Opportunities

This is an exciting time at Westside School and the incoming Middle School Head will be:

• Partnering with a talented middle school faculty that has responded to many changes since its inception in 2012 to develop a shared vision for a middle school program.
• Partnering with an engaged and collaborative Educational Leadership Team (ELT) to develop a cohesive preschool to 8th grade curricular vision.
• Refining and implementing an evaluation and support system that both balances shared expectations for excellence in teaching and appreciation for the autonomy of each teacher.
• Working with the Ethics and Equity teacher and the inaugural Director of Diversity, Equity, and belonging and curriculum coordinators to develop a scope and sequence for DEI work in the middle school.
• Collaborating with the middle school faculty, the student support team, and the ELT to design and implement structures and systems to enhance faculty and staff’s capacity to deliver on its mission to all students.
• Demonstrating a deep appreciation for the development of middle schoolers and engaging with students as part of their work.

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Qualifications & Personal Attributes

• Deep expertise and enthusiasm for middle school (grades 5-8 at Westside School) students and teachers.
• An ability to collaborate successfully, with vision and empathy, with the Educational Leadership
• Team, Student Support Team, and middle school teachers.
• Personal and professional commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging and the requisite skill to support critical conversations in the design of an even more inclusive culture.
• Excellent abilities as a communicator, both orally and in writing, and both internally and externally.
• Experience with recruiting, hiring, supporting, retaining, and leading talented, diverse, and mission aligned faculty.
• Enthusiasm to engage actively and visibly with the school community.
• Demonstrated success initiating, building support for and implementing mission-aligned change as an administrator.
• A background as a classroom teacher.
• A capacity to both track details and think strategically – able to toggle between the forest and the trees.
• A collaborative, confident, and humble leader with energy, sense of humor and a commitment to self-care.

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To Apply

Interested and qualified candidates are invited to contact the consultants in confidence. Candidates will ultimately need to submit the following materials as separate PDF documents:

• A cover letter expressing their interest in leading Westside School’s Middle School;
• A current résumé; and
• A list of five professional references with name, relationship, phone number, and email address of each (references will not be contacted without the candidate’s permission).

Chaya Keefe
Search Consultant
chaya.keefe@carneysandoe.com

Seliat Dairo
Search Consultant
seliat.dairo@carneysandoe.com

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COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate: Westside School follows WA State Government’s mandates in regard to COVID-19. This includes but is not limited to the mandate that all school employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 (excluding religious and medical exemptions), including a booster shot. New employees will be required to show proof of vaccination.

Westside School's Mission: Westside School prepares students for the world by challenging them to achieve academic success, and by connecting their human spirit and imagination to learning.

Westside School's Diversity Statement: Westside School is committed to promoting inclusiveness, diversity, and cultural competence in its education, employment practices, school community, and governance. It views inclusiveness as a fundamental value, diversity as a key element, and cultural competence as a vital skill necessary to prepare students to participate in and contribute to a global society. Westside uses the term diversity broadly to encompass differences in the attributes of individuals, families, and communities.

 

Westside is eager to welcome their inaugural Director of Diversity, Equity, and Belonging to begin July 2023. Reporting to the Head of School and a member of the Educational Leadership Team, the incoming Director of DEB will be charged with cultivating a sense of belonging amongst faculty and staff, students, parents, and administrators. This individual will also continue on the work of diversity, equity, and belonging professional development following the work of a multi-year consultant focused on work with faculty.

Challenges & Opportunities

This is an exciting time at Westside School and the incoming Director of Diversity, Equity and Belonging will be:

• Working with the Educational Leadership Team to establish and define this new and not yet fully defined role for the inaugural Director of Diversity, Equity and Belonging.
• Shepherding the grassroots work developed across Westside to provide a strategic vision and develop institutional structures necessary for sustaining and advancing DEB goals in every phase of school life.
• Lead the strategic vision and implementation of the school’s diversity, inclusion, and belonging efforts while working in partnership with the Head of School.
• In collaboration with other members of the senior leadership team, lead recruitment and retention efforts with a focus on and sustaining the diversity of the faculty and staff.
• Develop targeted professional development programs for faculty and staff to advance cultural competency and other diversity, equity, and belonging skills.
• Lead and support others in the organizational structure tasked with DEB work, including affinity groups, curriculum assessment, admissions, and development, and build a group of teacher leaders to support the full range of Westside’s present and future DEB initiatives.
• Collaborate with parents and caregivers on educational programs and serve as a resource for families to ensure that this vital constituency engages with schools and their own DEB work.

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Qualifications & Personal Attributes

• An orientation to think, lead, and act at both the strategic and operational levels and the ability to manage details and the larger picture.
• A highly relational and communicative diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging practitioner who is experienced and skilled in working with, supporting, and providing accountability for administrative colleagues, faculty, and staff and the gravitas and experience to work with parents and Board.
• A strong eye for talent and the ability to contribute to the recruitment and retention of a diverse and aligned faculty and staff.
• A team builder, educator, and mentor who calls individuals into the work, supports their development, and deploys them aligned to their strengths, roles, and responsibilities.
• A steady demeanor and the ability to maintain professional equilibrium and stand strong when navigating the challenging work facing diversity practitioners in schools.
• A deep appreciation for the development of young people and a desire to engage with students as a part of their work.
• A collaborative, confident, and humble leader with energy, a sense of humor, and a commitment to self-care.

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Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time position for the 2022-2023 academic school year. Westside School offers a generous benefits package to full time employees. 

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To Apply

Interested and qualified candidates are invited to contact the consultants in confidence. Candidates will ultimately need to submit the following materials as separate PDF documents:

• A cover letter expressing their interest position becoming the inaugural Director of Diversity, Equity,
  and Belonging at Westside School.
• A current résumé.
• A list of five professional references with name, relationship, phone number, and email address of each (references will not be contacted without the candidate’s permission).

Chaya Keefe
Search Consultant
chaya.keefe@carneysandoe.com

Seliat Dairo
Search Consultant
seliat.dairo@carneysandoe.com

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COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate: Westside School follows WA State Government’s mandates in regard to COVID-19. This includes but is not limited to the mandate that all school employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 (excluding religious and medical exemptions), including a booster shot. New employees will be required to show proof of vaccination.

Westside School's Mission: Westside School prepares students for the world by challenging them to achieve academic success, and by connecting their human spirit and imagination to learning.

Westside School's Diversity Statement: Westside School is committed to promoting inclusiveness, diversity, and cultural competence in its education, employment practices, school community, and governance. It views inclusiveness as a fundamental value, diversity as a key element, and cultural competence as a vital skill necessary to prepare students to participate in and contribute to a global society. Westside uses the term diversity broadly to encompass differences in the attributes of individuals, families, and communities.

 

Westside School faculty and staff work collaboratively to inspire creativity, innovation, and to deepen our sense of community. Westside faculty are exceptionally qualified in our fields, committed to being lifelong learners, and are passionate about our work. We are looking for staff and faculty who share our belief that a culturally rich and inclusive school community provides students with the best possible environment for a quality education.  At Westside School we value different backgrounds and ideas and we strive to build an inclusive community. Individuals from all cultures and communities are encouraged to apply. Located in the Arbor Heights neighborhood of West Seattle, Westside serves 400 students, 30% of our student body are Black, Indigenous and People of Color.

Westside School is seeking joyous part-time individuals to work in our Extended Day Program (EDP). The role of the EDP staff member is to supervise children, coordinate activities, and work in conjunction with other staff and the Extended Day Director. This position may include additional school duties and has the potential to be full-time during the summer.

Reports to: Director of Extended Day and Summer Programs

Responsibilities:

• Maintain and help focus the school mission, vision and values.
• Supervise and ensure the safety of students in the Extended Day Program.
• Establish familiarity with the program and related materials in order to assist actively in activities.
• Value and incorporate diverse perspectives in daily student interactions.
• Support expectations that create a safe and comfortable environment for all students.
• Greet students and monitor sign-in and sign-out procedures.
• Assist in planning, preparing, and implementing daily activities.
• Maintain a healthy, fun, and structured EDP environment.
• Assist with snack preparation.
• Maintain organization of EDP spaces and playground.
• Serve as a role model for students.

Successful candidates will have the following personal and professional attributes:

• Love of working with children in an outstanding professional setting.
• Prior experience working with preschool and/or elementary school students.
• A willingness to learn about, reflect upon, and support a dynamic learning environment.
• Understanding of how systematic and institutional barriers affect students' learning experiences and outcomes.
• Sensitivity to issues of bias, racism, prejudice, and stereotyping.
• Flexibility and adaptability to meet the needs of the children and program.
• Possess a Food Handlers Permit, First Aid/CPR certification, and a STARS ID, or willingness to obtain.  (Westside School will cover costs and time.)
• Ability to maintain confidential information.
• Ability to work and communicate well with staff,  students and parents.
• An expressed effort to collaborate with colleagues, accept feedback and conduct oneself in a professional manner.
• A positive attitude and sense of humor.

Westside School Mission

Westside School prepares students for the world by challenging them to achieve academic success, and by connecting their human spirit and imagination to learning.

Westside School's Diversity Statement

Westside School is committed to promoting inclusiveness, diversity, and cultural competence in its education, employment practices, school community, and governance. It views inclusiveness as a fundamental value, diversity as a key element, and cultural competence as a vital skill necessary to prepare students to participate in and contribute to a global society. Westside uses the term diversity broadly to encompass differences in the attributes of individuals, families, and communities.

Start Date: Immediately

Compensation and Benefits: This is a part-time, hourly position for the 2022-2023 school year. Hours are generally 1:45-5:45pm, with some variations depending on grade level.

To Apply: Please submit a resume and cover letter, with three professional references, to employment@westsideschool.org

Westside School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS

Westside School is looking for both teachers and instructional assistants with experience working with children in grades, preschool and eighth grade, to add to our substitute roster. We also need substitutes for music and performing arts, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, physical education, and visual arts.

The ideal candidate will be accessible for early morning calls. Candidates with partial availability during the week are also encouraged to apply. Please submit resume and references to employment@westsideschool.org.

Westside School is an equal opportunity employer.

Westside School, located in the Arbor Heights neighborhood of West Seattle, serves +400 students preschool through eighth grade. For over 40 years the school has emphasized knowing and educating the whole child, learning by doing, and the cultivation of creativity across disciplines. The overnight Outdoor Education program begins in fourth grade. Through a variety of wilderness based outdoor experiences, each year introduces new skills and promotes individual student growth, teamwork, leadership, and adventure.

Position Summary

Field instructors on Westside School outdoor trips are primarily responsible for outdoor skill instruction, leading activities and games, leading (or co-leading) decision making related to risk management, helping facilitate daily functions (meals, transitions, etc.), and sharing driving responsibilities.

We are currently looking for instructors for the following trips:

• 5th Grade: Intro to Tent Camping at Lake Wenatchee State Park, 5/22/23 - 5/25/23
  • The fifth grade will stay in a group site near the lake for a self-run week of team building, outdoor skill learning, and choice-based activities like hiking, boating, and horseback riding.
• 7th Grade: Intro to Backpacking in North Cascades National Park, 5/22/23 - 5/25/23
  • The seventh grade will base camp at Rasar Campground with small groups adventuring out to experience backpacking on various trails in the North Cascades. Groups will be differentiated based on activity level or thematic programming.

Required Prep Dates:

• Friday May 19 - On campus orientation with students and teachers
• Sunday May 21 - On campus gear and food prep
• Friday May 26 - On campus cleanup and debrief with teachers (no students)
• Option for additional paid prep days and location scouting

Qualifications

• Current CPR and WFA, WRF, or higher medical certification
• Diverse outdoor experience
• Minimum of 21 years of age
• Pass a Washington State background check.
• Current driver's license and willingness to drive 12-15 passenger vehicles.
• Preference given to candidates with experience leading outdoor overnight trips with youth in the specified trip regions, those with experience teaching LNT and other wilderness outdoor skills.

Compensation

200 - $230 / day, depending on experience, for four field days, plus $150 / day for prep and orientation days.

Contact

If interested, or for more details regarding either trip and/or instructor responsibilities, please submit a resume and two references to Colleen McCullagh, outdoors@westsideschool.org.