PHILOSOPHY
In partnership with parents, Nashville Christian School strives to give honor and glory to God through Jesus Christ by educating students in a loving, nurturing environment to be committed and productive Christian servants in all areas of this life and in preparation for eternity. We, Nashville Christian School, believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God, that Jesus Christ is God’s son, and that the Holy Spirit dwells in each of us. We believe Christianity promotes high ideals, develops strong character, and holds the only promise of eternal life with God. Nashville Christian School, established by members of the churches of Christ, centers its entire program on Christian principles.
EXPECTATIONS
In partnership with parents, Nashville Christian School strives to give honor and glory to God through Jesus Christ by educating students in a loving, nurturing environment to be committed and productive Christian servants in all areas of this life and in preparation for eternity. We, Nashville Christian School, believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God, that Jesus Christ is God’s son, and that the Holy Spirit dwells in each of us. We believe Christianity promotes high ideals, develops strong character, and holds the only promise of eternal life with God. Nashville Christian School, established by members of the churches of Christ, centers its entire program on Christian principles.
EXPECTATIONS
- Act as a Christian professional who is respectful, responsible, and demonstrates Christ’s love while helping students realize and pursue their full potential – spiritually, intellectually, physically, and socially.
- Exemplify the school’s mission and vision to all stakeholders.
- Have a relationship with the Lord that includes an active membership in a local church; accordingly, every employee must be morally upright in public and personal life.
- Support the core beliefs held by the school. Employees will lead in dress, conduct, and attitude.
- Assist in promoting good public relations by addressing the needs of all stakeholders kindly, patiently, and efficiently.
- Understand and maintain the confidentiality of all sensitive information. Confidentiality includes, but is not limited to, any student, administrative, and financial information.
- Communicate and collaborate positively with administrators, faculty, staff, volunteers, parents, and students.
- Be detail-oriented, well-organized, and self-motivated with the ability to work under tight deadlines and structure.
DESCRIPTION
- The Preschool Director reports directly to the Head of School and will:
- Maintain relationships with children to provide an atmosphere that models Christ-like interaction and positively promotes child development while inspiring a love of learning. They understand that children are their first ministry as an ambassador for Christ.
- Develop, partner, nurture, and maintain effective relationships with the parents; be an active and visible participant in the Nashville Christian community, and preferably the community at large.
- Develop and maintain a good working relationship with the Head of School to lead the preschool operations consistently with the ideals of Nashville Christian School.
- Ensure goals and objectives regarding child development are met in the following areas: cognitive, social/emotional, language/communication, physical, and spiritual formation.
- Be an integral part of the administrative leadership team of Nashville Christian School by collaborating, supporting, and problem-solving so that the preschool supports and all other divisions support the school's mission.
- Recruit, supervise, develop, evaluate, and retain superior teachers. Intentional emphasis is placed on teachers who have a passion, commitment, and enthusiasm for the vision and philosophical position of the school, as well as a commitment to child development and academic excellence.
- Foster a high-touch customer service model, including strategies for developing an NCS family partnership mindset, seeking family (customer) feedback, proactively resolving dissatisfaction or conflict as it arises, and continually updating policies and services to meet evolving customers' needs.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Strategic Planning and Vision -
- Develop and articulate a shared vision and strategic direction for the preschool, including early childhood care and preschool classes for three- and four-year-old children.
- Align goals with the mission and values of the organization.
- Ensure consistency in approach and messaging to staff, parents, and stakeholders.
- Work collaboratively with K-12 school leadership to ensure cohesive leadership and effective communication across all educational levels.
- Collaborate with the Board of Directors and other stakeholders to advance the mission and vision of the preschool within the broader campus community.
Spiritual Leadership -
- Foster a Christ-centered environment where faith gets integrated into all aspects of the preschool experience.
- Lead devotions and prayer times with staff and children.
- Support and promote the spiritual development of children through age-appropriate activities and teachings.
Educational Leadership -
- Develop and oversee the implementation of a curriculum that integrates Christian values and principles.
- Ensure curriculum alignment with Tennessee Early Learning Development Standards (TN-ELDS) and the mission of our preschool.
- Evaluate curriculum effectiveness and make adjustments as needed to meet learning goals.
Policy Development and Implementation -
- Develop and review policies and procedures related to curriculum, safety, staff management, and parent relations.
- Ensure policies are communicated effectively and consistently implemented across the preschool.
Educational Leadership and Program Restructuring -
- Oversee the development, implementation, and evaluation of the curriculum.
- Collaborate with the K-12 school leadership to align preschool programming (ages 3 and 4) with their curriculum and educational standards.
- Develop and implement innovative strategies to enhance educational offerings, ensuring seamless transitions from preschool to elementary education.
- Integrate Christian values and principles into the curriculum to support the spiritual development of young children.
- Regularly assess preschool operations and programs for effectiveness and efficiency.
- Implement continuous improvement initiatives based on feedback from stakeholders and data-driven insights.
- Evaluate the overall performance and impact of preschool initiatives.
Operational Management -
- Oversee the daily operations of the preschool to maintain a safe, nurturing, and efficient learning environment.
- Manage preschool resources, including budget oversight and financial stewardship aligned with Christian principles and campus guidelines.
- Ensure compliance with all licensing, health, and safety regulations while upholding our Christian values.
- Stay informed about changes in regulations and implement necessary adjustments.
- Manage audits and inspections to maintain compliance.
Budget Oversight and Financial Management -
- Develop the annual budget and allocate resources effectively.
- Monitor expenses and revenue streams to ensure financial sustainability.
- Make decisions on budget priorities and adjustments as needed.
- Monitor expenses and identify cost-saving opportunities.
Staff Development and Supervision -
- Recruit, hire, train, and supervise qualified teaching and administrative staff who share our Christian mission and educational philosophy.
- Provide ongoing professional development opportunities to support staff growth and enhance teaching practices aligned with
- Foster a positive and collaborative work environment that promotes professional growth and development.
Parent and Community Engagement -
- Work to build strong partnerships with parents, families, and the community based on Christian values and mutual respect.
- Communicate effectively with parents regarding preschool programs, policies, and their child's progress.
- Engage in outreach efforts to connect with and serve the broader community, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.
Conflict Resolution and Decision-Making -
- Resolve conflicts and address challenges that arise within the preschool community.
- Make decisions on significant operational and strategic issues.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Development or comparable; Master's in Education preferred; Experience in Administration preferred.
- Preschool management experience with demonstrated leadership in a Christian educational setting.
- Familiar with DOE and/or DHS Childcare Licensing Standards.
- Passionately support, promote, and model the ideals and values consistent with Nashville Christian’s vision, mission, and philosophy for the school. (Click here to review the statement of faith.)
- A visionary, good, strategic thinker who staunchly adheres to Nashville Christian School’s founding principles, yet explores ideas and strategies while considering the needs of multiple constituencies.
- Exceptional people skills; good interpersonal ability; energetic, approachable, enthusiastic, and visible.
- Ability to build and maintain close relationships and engender trust; willing and eager to use these attributes to improve Nashville Christian School and further its mission and principles.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills; good listener.
- Openness to seeking collaborative perspectives from constituents.
- Maintain personal and professional development activities as appropriate.