POSITION TITLE:       Director

Department:              Catholic Schools

Grade:                           11, 12, 13

Supervisor:                 Pastor, Principal, or Supervisor

 

PURPOSE AND SCOPE:

 

The Preschool Director, a person in good canonical standing with the Roman Catholic Church, is a person of faith who functions as the Preschool’s spiritual leader and instructional leader in accordance with the Diocesan, Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) and Preschool mission statement and philosophy. 

 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

 

1. As the spiritual leader:

• Functions as the school's religious leader in accordance with the school's mission and philosophy in accordance with the goals of Catholic education
• Witnesses Gospel values and promotes Catholic moral teaching in the policies and life of the school
• Demonstrates evidence of knowledge of the Catholic philosophy of education
• Ensures quality Catholic religious instruction of students
• Works with the pastor to ensure that the school is a vital part of the parish community
• Works towards enhancing the school’s Catholic identity within the school and greater community
• Empowers and motivates teachers in sustaining the faith community of the student body
• Provides opportunities for religious experiences for staff, students, and the school community
• Ensures that all faculty and staff are committed to the goals of Catholic education
• Nurtures the faith development of faculty and staff through opportunities for spiritual growth
• Supports and fosters consistent practices of Christian service
• Exemplifies Catholic living both in and out of the school

 

1. As the Instructional leader:

• Plans, evaluates, and adjusts the on-site instructional programs to adhere to the diocesan curriculum standards to the students’ needs
• Strives to use Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS), Program Administration Scale (PAS), Early Language Literacy Classroom Observation (ELLCO), and the students’  needs
• Promotes an effective teaching/learning environment which encourages the implementation of developmental and age appropriate programs
• Supervises the development and posting of the daily schedule and weekly lesson plans
• Allocates instructional resources in alignment with financial resources to meet student needs
• Reviews individual student assessments for growth and development
• Assumes responsibility for his/her own professional growth and development

 

1. As Director

• Follows established policies, practices, and procedures of the Diocese of Phoenix
• Follows and complies with all Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) Licensing requirements
• Sends completed diocesan forms and reports to Catholic Schools Office by due dates
• Uses effective decision techniques
• Interprets and uses research to guide action plans
• Recognizes and fosters leadership ability among staff
• Identifies, address, and implement needed change

 

2. Teaching/Learning

• Integrates Catholic principles throughout the curriculum
• Develops and implements a balanced curriculum providing for proper articulation
• Creates an environment which encourages teachers to facilitate child-centered learning
• Makes diocesan curriculum standard guides available

 

3. Communication

• Initiates and/or facilitates open communication within the school community.
• Articulates the school programs and policies for the Preschool, parish, and greater community
• Maintains regular dialogue with the Diocesan Catholic Schools Office personnel and attends and actively participates in Diocesan Preschool Director meetings
• Establishes and publishes the local Preschool calendar in accordance with state law and Diocesan directives
• Establishes a cooperative and friendly relationship with the local Catholic schools and public schools
• Maintains an interest in the local civic community and fosters school participation when possible and appropriate
• Schedules regular faculty meetings and establishes vehicles of communication with the faculty

 

4. Pastor/Supervisor

• Recognizes the pastor as the spiritual leader of the Preschool community in fostering its Catholic identity
• Recognizes that the pastor is the final decision making authority in the administration of the Preschool
• Works cooperatively to ensure that the Preschool is a vital part of the total parish community
• Implements appropriate parish goals within the Preschool
• Communicates Preschool activities and issues to the pastor/supervisor

 

5. Personnel

• Hires, supervises, evaluates and develops a competent faculty and staff in accordance with Diocesan and State standards
• Establishes and maintains open communication with the faculty and staff
• Maintains complete and accurate personnel records according to Diocesan and State guidelines
• Provides in-service and professional growth opportunities for faculty and staff that are aligned with continuous Preschool improvement
• Provides training and documentation of policies and procedures as directed by the Diocese and the state
• Encourages the creativity and uniqueness of each faculty and staff member
• Develops a comprehensive faculty handbook

 

 

6. Students

• Develop and implement a comprehensive parent/student handbook which reflects Gospel values
• Provides for the safety, welfare and care of the students including a Preschool crisis plan
• Oversees all Preschool activities and after-care programs
• Ensures that the rights and needs of the individual student are respected as stated in the parent/student handbook
• Ensures academic and health records are maintained according to Diocesan and AZ State Health Department regulations
• Conducts conferences with parents, students, and staff as necessary
• Follows Diocesan and State protocol in cases of suspected child abuse
• Establishes and communicates procedures for handling student sickness and accidents

 

7. School Advisory Board

• Works cooperatively with the Preschool advisory board to communicate the Preschool’s mission
• Develops meeting agenda with the board chairperson
• Updates the board on Preschool operations, Catholic identity, new church documents, diocesan policies, ADHS requirements, current educational trends, issues, laws, financial status of the school, and other appropriate topics
• Encourages participation in the Diocesan School Board In-Services

8. Parents/Guardians

• Recognizes and respects that the parents are the primary educators of their children
• Facilitates appropriate parent involvement in the Preschool
• Provides adequate training for parents/guardians who serve as volunteers
• Provides information regarding adult/family faith formation education
• Ensures communication of student progress on a regular basis
• Involves parents in the activities and programs of the Preschool
• Insure that all volunteers have current “Call to Protect” training

 

9. Finance

• Follows all diocesan financial policies and procedures
• Prepares, monitors, and reviews the annual Preschool budget
• Provides for a system of accurate and timely collection and disbursement of school monies
• Oversees tuition assistance allocations
• Initiates, coordinates, and oversees fundraising activities as needed to supplement the budget

 

10. Professional Growth

• Directs and provides for professional growth of the staff to ensure effective teaching methodologies
• Provides orientation for teachers new to the Preschool
• Provides yearly faculty orientation to diocesan and Preschool policies and procedures
• Provides training on the “Safe Environment” and “Policy on Sexual Misconduct by Diocesan Personnel” & “Harassment Policy and Procedures” for all staff
• Plans in-service sessions according to ADHS requirements and faculty needs

 

11. Marketing and Development

• Promotes the image of the Preschool by establishing positive public relations within and outside the school community
• Oversees programs for the effective recruitment and retention of students
• Initiates and directs both short and long-range planning for the Preschool
• Oversees the promotion of the Catholic Tuition Organization of the Diocese of Phoenix program  (CTODP)

 

12. Records

• Manages an effective and efficient office and record-keeping system
• Maintains complete, accurate, up-to-date personnel and student records according to diocesan and ADHS guidelines
• Prepares reports as required
• Supervises correspondence and publications

 

13. Physical Plant

• Ensures a clean, secure, and orderly campus adhering to ADHS requirements
• Monitors a schedule for the upkeep and preventive maintenance of the buildings and grounds
• Schedules use of buildings in conjunction with the parish

 

1. Additional job functions:

• Serves as an ex officio member of all committees and councils within the Preschool
• Maintains professional development through reading, coursework, conference attendance, professional committee work, visiting other schools, and meeting with other administrators
• Acquaints himself/herself with local enrichment opportunities, referral agencies, fire and police department and social services available to the Preschool
• Performs any other job-related tasks deemed necessary and/or assigned by the pastor or supervisor

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

 

• Must be practicing Catholic and be willing to sign a Profession of Faith
• Must have an Associate or Bachelors degree or in the process from an accredited college or university in the areas of early childhood, childhood development or closely related field
• Must have five years of experience in Preschool setting.
• Must be able to work independently with little direct supervision and with frequent interruption
• Must meet Ministry Formation and renewal certification as required by Diocesan Policy
• Able to comply with the requirements specified in the ADHS Licensing Regulations
• Received Safe Environment Training and signed the Code of Conduct
• FBI Fingerprint Clearance completed