B.Y. Ateres Miriam High School, Far Rockaway, NY
March 5, 2025Ilan Girls High School, Ocean, NJ
March 5, 2025Head of Middle School
ABOUT US
The Jewish Leadership Academy is a new world-class Jewish Middle and High School designed to develop the skills, curiosity, and potential of Miami’s most ambitious students for a life of purpose, commitment, and service.
JLA is committed to:
- Challenging inquisitive minds to think critically and creatively in pursuit of the highest academic standards across all disciplines.
- Putting values into action by embedding leadership training and community service into the heart of the educational program.
- Engaging the mind and stirring the soul to connect with the Jewish past and the Jewish present, the Jewish People and the Jewish State, through the broad and embracing lens of Modern Orthodoxy. With a brand new state-of-the art campus in the Pinewood neighborhood of Miami, and a unique curriculum that teaches only at an Honors level and above, JLA opened its doors with 99 students in grades 6,7, 9, and 10 for the academic year 2023-2024. For 2024-2025, JLA’s enrollment grew to 185 students in grades 6-11 from 53 different feeder schools across the Miami-Dade area, with a 40% acceptance rate, and with 75% of families receiving financial aid. JLA’s Middle School is expected to reach capacity in 2025-2026 with 45 students per grade.
OVERVIEW
JLA seeks a warm, innovative, dynamic, and experienced educational leader to serve as Head of its Middle School. This individual will be responsible for the overall leadership, management, and vision of the Middle School, ensuring an inclusive and engaging environment that fosters academic excellence, personal growth, and community building.
The Middle School Head reports directly to the Head of School and partners with the Upper School Head and the Associate Head for Judaic Studies to form the school’s senior leadership team. As a small school, JLA’s Middle School Head not only ensures the successful day-to-day operations of the middle school division, but plays a leadership role in curriculum development and oversight, scheduling, student activities, and discipline as well.
ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership: Develop and articulate a clear vision for the Middle School aligned with the school’s mission and values.
Lead faculty and staff to deliver a rigorous and inspiring educational program. Foster a culture of kindness that permeates all aspects of school life. Actively support the school’s promotion of Jewish values and Jewish life.
Academic Oversight: Oversee curriculum development, assessment, and instructional practices. Ensure academic professional development opportunities for faculty to enhance teaching practices.
Student Life and Well-Being: Cultivate a positive, supportive, and respectful school culture. Address student behavior and discipline in a manner consistent with the school’s values. Support programs that promote social-emotional learning, leadership, and character development.
Faculty Management: Hire, mentor, and evaluate faculty and staff together with the Upper School Head and the Associate Head for Judaic Studies. Foster a collaborative and collegial environment among faculty. Provide leadership in faculty goal-setting, evaluation, and professional growth.
Parent and Community Engagement: Serve as the primary liaison between the Middle School and families. Communicate effectively with parents about school programs, policies, and events. Engage with the broader school community to foster strong relationships and support for Middle School initiatives.
Operational Management: Develop and manage the Middle School budget in collaboration with the Head of School and Business Office. Ensure the effective daily operation of the Middle School, including scheduling, safety, and facilities management.
QUALIFICATIONS
The successful candidate will have a graduate degree in Educational Leadership or a related field and 5+ years of experience in school leadership, preferably in a middle school setting. An understanding of Orthodox Judaism and the Miami Jewish community will be an asset. In addition, the candidate will:
- Exude warmth and love for children.
- Demonstrate deep understanding of adolescent development and middle school education.
- Possess exceptional interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
- Have proven ability to build relationships and foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
- Demonstrate proficiency in Google Suite, LMS, SIS, and scheduling software.
- Have experience creating actionable analysis of student data through the use of spreadsheets, graphs, and presentation software.
- Be adept at learning new software and technology.
- Demonstrate exceptional work ethic and commitment.
- Enjoy working in an environment that sets high standards for everyone and helps them to achieve them.
- Actively listen to other perspectives while retaining the confidence to speak their mind.
- Believe they can and will make a difference in the world.
- Ask difficult questions and challenge the status quo.
- See themselves as a lifelong learner.
- Take risks and own their mistakes.
- Make those around them better.
- Always go above and beyond.
- Like to laugh and love to play.
COMPENSATION A strong benefits package includes:
- Highly competitive salary
- Generous relocation package including housing stipend for first three years
- Full health, dental and vision for employee
- 8% annual retirement match
- Generous PTO, including secular and Jewish holidays as well as four weeks in the summer
- Short and long-term disability, life insurance, and more
For more information or to apply for this position, please contact Rabbi Heshy Glass at [email protected] or 516.368.3333