Academic Director

Reports To: Executive Director

Supervises: Principal, Director of Advancement

Planned Start Date: July 1, 2024

About Banbury Crossroads School

Founded in 1979, Banbury Crossroads School in Calgary, AB, Canada stands as a beacon of educational innovation, offering unparalleled self-directed learning opportunities for students aged 3-18. Our intimate 8:1 class sizes and personalized tutorials, as opposed to traditional lectures, provide an extraordinary platform for individual growth. With a rich tapestry of real-world experiences, including diverse field trips and mixed-age cohorts spanning from JK-1, 2-6, and 7-12, we go beyond mere academics; we prepare students to proactively live their whole lives.

Our guiding philosophy? Students come first. Rooted in decades of cutting-edge practice and drawing from extensive educational philosophy and research, we're not just teaching; we're shaping future leaders through world-class self-directed education. Here, learning extends beyond the classroom walls. We offer a kaleidoscope of extracurricular activities, robust peer-mentoring programs, engaging internships, and soul-enriching volunteer opportunities.

We're also on the cusp of incorporating the International Baccalaureate (IB) Curriculum, seamlessly aligning with, and enhancing, Alberta's Programs of Study. This marks a momentous step in reaffirming our reputation as Canada's pinnacle School for rigorous, self-paced, broad-spectrum, and deeply collaborative education—where learning is a guided personal journey of discovery and joy, not a competition in obedience.

Banbury Crossroads has always championed the belief that every child is unique and deserving of an educational environment tailored to their individual strengths and passions. Building on this core vision, we are elated to announce the inauguration of a specialized Academy in September 2024, dedicated exclusively to children with diverse learning needs. By integrating our established principles of self-directed learning and student-first approaches, this new sister school will provide a haven where every child, regardless of their learning challenges, can thrive, explore, and grow in an atmosphere of understanding, support, and personalized pedagogy.

At the heart of our ethos for both our School, and our Academy, are core values like empathetic leadership, creative and critical thinking, and a profound respect for both the individual and the community. Our students aren't just bright; they're dazzlingly unique—curious, self-motivated, resourceful, resilient, and deeply empathetic. We cultivate an atmosphere where both independence and interdependence flourish, nurturing emotional intelligence and a heightened sense of social responsibility.

The results speak for themselves. Whether entering academia, launching startups, or navigating any uncertain terrains life offers, our students learn to do what it takes to overcome ambiguity and challenges, and to Choose to Succeed. Our alums include successful entrepreneurs, PhD holders, corporate executives, physicians, artists, dancers, engineers, and all vivacious champions of their own journeys. They become virtuosos in defining their goals, navigating complexities, and fostering vibrant communities. They don't just meet challenges; they transcend them, inspiring those around them to do the same. At Banbury Crossroads, we're not just educating students; we're empowering the next generation of thought leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, and compassionate global citizens.

Job Summary

The Academic Director is responsible for the overall educational leadership and strategic planning of the School and Academy, including the supervision of the Principal, and Vice Principals. The Academic Director will spearhead the integration of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme, while preserving the core principles of the School's educational mission and vision, building upon our 44-year legacy. The Academic Director will also oversee the September 2024 launch of the Banbury Crossroads Academy.

The ideal candidate for this role will possess a highly optimistic and positive outlook, coupled with a drive and persistence that are essential for success. They should have demonstrated a high level of professionalism and effectively managed significant responsibilities over at least 10 years in a senior leadership position within the educational sector. The candidate should be well-versed in self-directed learning methodologies and committed to continuously improving and enriching the educational experience at Banbury Crossroads.

Key Responsibilities

Educational Leadership

• Oversee all pedagogical activities at the School and Academy.
• Supervise and support the Principal, Vice Principals, and other academic leaders to succeed.
• Supervise and support the Director of Advancement with their portfolio of admissions, alumni relations, and fundraising.
• Report to the Executive Director to ensure financial and operational success.
• Evaluate curriculum and teaching methods to ensure alignment with our educational philosophy.
• Develop and implement short-term and long-term academic goals aligned with our mission.
• Oversee the annual educational planning process.
• Work with the Executive Director to develop multi-year strategic plans.

Program Implementation

• Lead the application process with the IB organization.
• Lead the integration of the IB program into the School's curriculum and oversee the certification process.
• Work closely with teachers and staff to ensure effective delivery of the IB program in the School.
• Oversee the launching of the Banbury Crossroads Academy, through all facets and aspects of that milestone launch.

Monitoring & Reporting & Improvement

• Track and monitor the progress of academic and strategic goals.
• Generate regular reports for our Executive Director and Board on academic performance, student retention, and student and parent satisfaction measures.
• Develop strategies to improve circumstances using evidence and research.

Team Development

• Provide professional development with Principal and Vice Principals and mentorship for academic staff.
• Implement a performance appraisal system for academic staff, and conduct them on a twice-yearly basis.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Work closely with media, partner schools, educational organizations, and community organizations to strengthen our educational programs, community presence, and reputation.
• Represent Banbury Crossroads at academic forums, and maintain partnerships with external academic bodies.

Educational Research and Publications

• Work to develop various forms of literature about self-directed learning, the benefits of our approach, and to contribute to the corpus of material on educational philosophy that underpins our mission.
• Develop and maintain relationships with post-secondary education programs to strengthen research endeavours relating to our approach and practice.

Qualifications

• Permanent teaching certification in Alberta, or hold a permanent teaching certification in another province which could be transferred to Alberta.
• Minimum of a Master's degree in Education or a closely related field. If the Master's degree is in another field, the candidate must have a B. Ed.
• A PhD is an asset.
• A minimum of 10 years in a senior leadership position in primary and/or secondary education.
• Proven experience with IB or AP programs.
• Demonstrable experience in strategic planning and implementation.
• Having conducted and published educational research or literature is an asset.

Skills & Abilities

• Consistently demonstrates a positive, solution-finding, 'can-do' attitude.
• Motivates staff and students by creating an environment that celebrates learning and achievement.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills
• Capable of building strong relationships with staff, students, and parents.
• Skilled in conflict resolution and facilitating constructive dialogues.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Proficient in communicating complex educational ideas in an easily understandable manner.
• Demonstrates integrity and ethical behavior in all interactions.
• Adheres to the highest professional standards in organizational conduct and educational best practices.
• Takes personal ownership of all aspects of the educational program.
• Proactively addresses challenges and seeks solutions without external prompting.
• Self-motivated and able to inspire a team towards achieving educational excellence.
• Persistent in achieving goals, even in the face of obstacles and setbacks.
• Deeply committed to fostering an educational environment that promotes student success.
• Keeps abreast of current educational trends and research to continually improve the program.
• Demonstrates the ability to envision long-term educational goals and objectives.
• Capable of aligning team efforts to achieve strategic priorities.
• Respects and incorporates diverse cultural perspectives in educational programming.
• Has a global perspective on education and is familiar with advanced educational frameworks, such as IB and AP.
• Well-versed in educational technology tools that enhance student learning and administrative efficiency.
• Capable of integrating technology into the strategic planning and implementation process.
• Ability to collect and analyze educational metrics to inform academic initiatives.
• Skilled in using data to set benchmarks and monitor progress.
• Demonstrates a clear understanding of financial planning and budget management in an educational context.
• Capable of aligning financial resources to academic priorities.

Equal Opportunity

Banbury Crossroads School is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without any preference or regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, political views, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of identity or disability.