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The New Global American School
Interim Head of School
Start Date: January 15, 2025
18 month appointment
Co-ed, Grades 1-12 Independent Day School
Singapore
Educators Collaborative is pleased to assist The New Global American School in its search for its founding Interim Head of School to begin January 15, 2025. This is an outstanding opportunity for a leader who will establish this new school in one of the world’s most desirable locations.
Background
Plans are well underway to open The New Global American School for the 2025-2026 academic year. The school will eventually serve 2,000 students from grades 1 through 12, and it is the intention of the school’s founders to begin initially with enrolling students in the lower school, with growth occurring over time into older grades.
The for-profit school is backed by Merak Pte. Ltd., a joint venture between a financial investor that is a leading energy provider in China, and Three W International, a leading education services provider with operations in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, China, and other countries.
The school will benefit greatly by its connection to experienced educators and a world-class institution. The school’s Advisory Board includes the following:
- Tony Wong, CEO of Three W International;
- Ed Shanahan, former Head of Choate Rosemary Hall, Founding President and current Board Chair of Keystone Academy in Beijing, and former Dean of the College at Dartmouth;
- Richard Gehman, former Head of Oak Hall School;
- Stephen Robinson, former President of the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) and former Head of Orme School and Saddlebrook Prep;
- Nat Conard, former Head of The Pingry School.
The New Global American School will provide students with a world-class education informed by cognitive science and learner-centered innovations. Experiential learning at all levels will be a central curricular and pedagogical approach at The New Global American School. It will offer a challenging and creative curriculum utilizing global best practices, supplemented with thematic interdisciplinary units and project-based learning. It aspires to do this by blending the best curricular and pedagogical elements of the most effective and compelling university preparatory schools in the world; and by creating an educational community, for students and faculty alike, that helps students shape their character in community with others. Students will graduate from The New Global American School with a world-class formal education; depth of appreciation for the history and culture others; and a commitment to making important and lasting contributions to society and to the welfare of others while at
The New Global American School and afterward.
Merak is currently in the final stages of identifying a site for the campus of The New Global American School, and the final site will influence the opening configuration of the school. An English-language, American-curriculum school utilizing student-centered, constructivist, inquiry-based, collaborative and experiential pedagogy, The New Global American School could also have a bilingual English-Mandarin track.
Partnerships
The New Global American School has formalized a unique partnership agreement with Riverdale Country School in New York City, one of the top private schools in the United States. Riverdale is internationally recognized to be at the forefront of K–12 educational innovations. The partnership with Riverdale will be an extraordinary asset in achieving The New Global American School’s goal of creating a school where students receive the finest, most research-based, and up-to-date education possible.
After years of research, Riverdale has developed a curriculum that is highly innovative, experiential, and rich in multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary opportunities. This partnership provides The New Global American School with a deeply embedded partnership that provides it with exclusive rights to implement and administer Riverdale’s curricular and instructional models in Singapore as well as ongoing support to develop curriculum and instructional practice. This partnership includes collaboration on cutting-edge curriculum, instruction, student assessment, and other teaching elements of The New Global American School in alignment with Riverdale’s high academic standards and expectations.
Riverdale Country School will support The New Global American School in program development and ongoing quality control. All aspects of the collaboration with Riverdale will reflect the world-class standards synonymous with Riverdale. The New Global American School has also established a long-term agreement with Riverdale for ongoing faculty training from Riverdale’s professional development subsidiary, Plussed Learning.
The New Global American School’s relationship with Peabody College of Education at Vanderbilt University is both longstanding and unique. The school is still discussing with them the prospect that Peabody would help the school to orient and train both seasoned and new teachers to learn, master, and practice our progressive formula for effective pedagogy—a pedagogy that will distinguish the school within a country already known for its approach(es) to effective teaching and learning. It is expected that the program will be designed primarily for training NAIS teachers, but will also be open to educators from across Southeast Asia who wish to be part of this world-class program.
The New Global American School further expects the program will bring the prestige of Vanderbilt University and the exceptional faculty from Peabody College to its campus. This initiative will distinguish The New Global American School from other international schools in Singapore and throughout Southeast Asia.
Living in Singapore
Singapore has developed a reputation for being one of the most desirable locations in the world to live and work. According to HSBC, “Singapore has quickly developed a unique hybrid culture that makes it a favorite among expats. Singapore’s identity is built on its multiculturalism and Singaporeans are proud to attract people from around the world. This ‘Singapore Spirit’ has a significant impact on new arrivals who feel welcomed with open arms into their new community, which is a great help with the practicalities of daily living. It’s unsurprising, then, that the country is the best destination for expats moving with children.”
Singapore is well known for its safety and cleanliness. Moreover, given its location in the heart of Southeast Asia, Singapore is ideal for travel. Residents can easily escape for the weekend to one of the many idyllic beaches and islands in the region.
The Position
The Interim Head of School is the School’s Chief Administrative Officer and is responsible, by delegation of the Board of Directors, for all aspects of the School. The Interim Head of School’s responsibilities and authority include the following:
- Leading and guiding the School to be an international school in Singapore of the highest distinction.
- Establishing policies, processes and procedures around technology infrastructure; school security; facilities maintenance, human resources; classroom design/furnishing; and risk management.
- Hiring teachers, administrators, and staff.
- Overseeing the determination of the proper enrollment based upon the School’s philosophy and admission standards, physical plant, financial needs, and future plans.
- Creating and overseeing the Admissions & Financial Aid Department’s policies and activities including the administration of financial aid to qualifying students.
- Creating and overseeing the marketing, communications, and publicity program for the School, highlighting the School’s activities and accomplishments.
- Overseeing the administration of the School’s budget and financial affairs with the continuing objective of achieving the School’s financial targets.
- Recommending and implementing additional policies, guidelines, rules, regulations, and procedures for the School as deemed necessary or beneficial for the School.
- Creating a learning culture of exploration, joy, curiosity, discipline, and respect.
- Ensuring the health, well-being, and safety of the School’s students and employees when on campus or on school business.
- Modeling, and representing publicly, the mission and philosophy of the School.
- Executing and administering the policies of the School, as set by the Board of Directors, and maintaining respectful and productive relations with all governing agencies of the school, both internal and external.
- Overseeing the program of the School (academic, cultural, experiential, extra-curricular, and co-curricular), and any other subsidiary activities related to the School.
- Ensuring that the academic, cultural, experiential, extra-curricular, and co-curricular programs of the School reflect the best practices of teaching and learning based on the science of learning.
- Consulting with the Board of Directors and its committees as to School affairs and making recommendations in a timely manner as to those matters requiring Board attention.
- Providing leadership, and otherwise overseeing, the Academic Board, the Examination Board, and several Senior Officers (including the Division Heads) of the School, and coordinating their respective activities, as well as their interactions with the Board of Directors and local agencies as necessary.
- Overseeing the proper maintenance of school facilities and property.
- Maintaining relations with the administrators and faculty that are conducive to good morale, unity, and collaborative teamwork.
- Creating and overseeing the discipline system and procedures for the withdrawal of students when circumstances warrant such action.
- Overseeing, when necessary, the discipline or dismissal of faculty and administrative personnel, and overseeing the evaluation of job performance and professional growth and development of all employees.
- Reporting on the state of the School at meetings of the Board of Directors and at any other time as requested by the Board. In this area, the Head of School serves, with the President of the Board, as the chief agenda officer for meetings of the Board and its standing and ad hoc committees.
- Ensuring a smooth transition to the Head of School who will take up his/her responsibilities on or about July 1, 2026.
Performance Objectives
The New Global American School will be a brand-new school, the first of an expected significant group of schools in Asia. As such, it is critical that the School starts strongly and performs as the “flagship,” demonstrating an ability to create a world-class school in Singapore that succeeds in achieving our vision and mission. Given this charge, the founding Head of School will need to pay particular attention to the following performance objectives:
- Be the face of the school in its critical startup phase.
- Successfully communicate the unique vision, mission, and programs of the school to a variety of constituencies, including prospective students and parents, local media and government officials, and any other group that could have a positive impact on the early success of the school.
- Build positive relationships and strong connections within the School community and the greater Singapore community.
- Ensure that the School hires and retains a high-quality administrative team that has the experience and expertise necessary to build a world-class school from the ground up.
- In collaboration with other members of the administrative team, ensure that the School hires high-quality faculty and staff who embrace the vision and mission of the school, and that have the capacity to lead in developing programs in their specific areas. From the outset be mindful of developing pathways for their ongoing pedagogical growth and professional advancement.
- Guide the school in the evolution of its educational vision and remain current regarding successful developments and trends that occur in the world of progressive education.
- Monitor student admissions closely, particularly in its first two years when the school will establish its general student profile.
- Effectively lead and manage toward an exemplary school as demonstrated by exceptional exam results and an excellent reputation within the Singapore and international schools’ community.
Traits and Characteristics
The founding Head of School will:
- Have documented experience with successfully creating and implementing policies, procedures, and processes that address the particular needs of a start-up school.
- Possess the energy and expertise to be a vibrant and articulate leader and communicator who is comfortable and confident speaking in front of parents, students, and others in the Singapore and international school communities.
- Have a track record of leading with integrity and possess sound character and judgment.
- Be curious, open to new ideas, and open to criticism.
- Be a thoughtful decision maker, introspective and self-aware.
- Be a team-builder and natural collaborator with strong cross-cultural competencies.
- Be a person with a global mindset who embraces working in a highly diverse environment.
- Be a strategic thinker with an entrepreneurial mindset.
- Be able to adjust and adapt to changing conditions and requirements.
- Have a good understanding of school finance.
- Have a sense of humor.
Specific Requirements:
- Head of School or equivalent experience strongly preferred.
- Some international experience preferred.
- Experience with grades 1-12 would be a plus.
- Master’s degree or higher required.
- Experience with managing the start-up operations of a new school would be a plus.
- Ability to live in Singapore during the duration of the 18-month contract.
Compensation
The New Global American School—Singapore offers a generous compensation package to the Interim Head of School, including a very competitive salary, housing, and benefits.
Application Materials Requested
We encourage a preliminary conversation with Mary Seppala or George Sanderson (see below) to learn more about this exceptional opportunity. Those interested are asked to submit these materials, in the order listed, in a Single Merged Document:
- EC Candidate Summary Sheet (Contact a consultant, below, for this document)
- Letter of Interest, addressed to the Search Committee
- Current résumé
- Statement of Educational Leadership philosophy
- A list of five or more references with contact information (including phone numbers and email addresses)
- EC Disclosure Form (Contact a consultant, below, for this document)
Please send any inquiries, nominations, referrals, or expressions of interest electronically and in confidence to:
Mary Seppala, Partner
George Sanderson, Partner
Listing Date: August 8, 2024
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