School Director

Our Story:

It is the goal of GCA to provide an education of scholastic excellence and to teach students that God is the source of all truth. Grace Christian Academy strives to develop in students a Christian lifestyle and a Christian worldview.

Grace Christian Academy of Maryland is a private Christian school (PreK – 8th grade) with approximately 260 students. Established in 1986, GCA graduated its first senior class in 2000. Grace Christian Academy was first accredited in 1996 through the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. GCA is currently accredited through the Maryland Department of Education, Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, and ACSI.

The school and church occupy a 17-acre campus that includes a church building, portable classrooms, a lighted soccer field, and a 45,000 square foot education building. The education building houses 20 classrooms, two science labs, an art room, a full-sized gymnasium, administrative offices, and a teacher’s work area.

Our mission is to provide academic excellence from a biblical perspective in order to develop servant leaders of all walks of life who live and love like Jesus Christ.

Grateful | Respectful | Accountable | Courteous | Excellence Driven

About the Position:

The Director is responsible for all areas of the school. The Director is employed by and accountable to the GCA School Board to implement the mission and educational operating policies of GCA. The Director is the educational and spiritual director who provides vision, direction and oversees day-to-day operational practices that represent a consistent and effective model of integrity, efficiency, and accountability. In addition, the Director performs and/or directs all other duties as, from time to time, may be assigned by the School Board. The GCA Director is responsible for all areas of the school.

Salary: $70,000-$80,000 annually

Benefits: Paid health insurance, 4 weeks of PTO, and free tuition for all children of the director’s family

Typical Schedule: Monday – Friday 7:30am – 4:00pm

Location: Waldorf, MD

Job Duties

Educational leadership, vision and school management:

Provide leadership to a planning process designed and intended to assure the school’s readiness and ability to provide a sound, relevant, and spiritual educational experience for students
Works in conjunction with the School Board in developing GCA’s vision as well as a plan for the future
Lead/motivate the faculty in the implementation of the mission while also empowering the faculty to contribute to the realization of the vision
Lead the faculty and School Board in planning for continuing educational growth and spiritual maturity as a highly respected Christian institution
Oversee all academic, extra curricula, and student programs to achieve a complete Christian education experience
Establish and promote goals for faculty and staff that result in every student achieving to his/her fullest academic and personal potential
Recruit teaching and administrative personnel whose philosophies match those of GCA
Oversight of the GCA budget with accountability for it to the School Board
Develop and apply strategies to continuously improve faculty and staff professional development, salaries and benefits
Develop and implement a positive reinforcing system for evaluating teaching, strengthening curriculum, and encouraging professional development
Provide the leadership and management skills necessary to maximize the efforts of teachers and students in an environment conducive to spiritual and educational enhancement, growth, and achievement
Remain abreast of educational trends

Communication:

Serves as the primary spokesperson for GCA
Committed to maintaining excellent relationships with parents, faculty, staff, students, School Board, and Church
Effects constant and open communication with faculty, parents and the community
Promotes a warm Christ-centered atmosphere within GCA
Maintains a high profile by being visible and attending school events to build awareness, strengthen parent relations, and encourage support of GCA
Serves as the instructional leader of the school by providing leadership in curriculum development and implementation
Provides strong, collaborative leadership to ensure consensus on future direction
Maintains involvement in the daily life and activities of students by personally recognizing their achievements and sharing in their successes as well as their problems and concerns

Organizational Setting:

Ensure compliance with ACSI accrediting criteria
Establish objectives and procedures to ensure operational efficiency
Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal agencies and guidelines
Ensure that the school’s academic staff adheres to all personnel policies, procedures and guidelines
Ensure staff collaboration and cooperation with facilities management and other facility users as it relates to the physical use and maintenance of the church/school buildings and grounds

Other duties and responsibilities:

Implement established school policies and collaboratively review and make recommendations for change to the school board
Keep the school board fully informed of critical needs as they effect educational operations
Collaboratively establish and meet performance goals and objectives of the school board

Spiritual Qualifications

Professional Qualifications

Personal Qualifications

Publicly professes to be a believer in Jesus Christ and has a lifestyle that reflects a maturity and intimacy with God.
Actively demonstrates the character qualities of an “Overseer” consistent with 1 Timothy 3: 1-7 and Titus 1: 5-9
Has a genuine excitement and passion for Christian School leadership.
Is committed to achieving excellence by educating students spiritually, morally, and academically through cultivating Christian values and promoting Christian service.
Is committed to living out our mission statement: “to provide academic excellence from a biblical perspective to develop servant leaders in all walks of life who live and love like Jesus Christ.”
Is willing to be a member in good standing at the Grace Brethren Church in Waldorf, Md.

Minimum education requirements include a Master’s degree in educational administration/supervision or equivalent.
Has at least three (3) years’ experience in educational administration.
Experience in Christian school administration desirable, but not required.
Prior school director experience strongly desired but not required.
Demonstrated supervisory leadership.
Enthusiasm, appreciation, and commitment for GCA’s mission.
Proven strength in interpersonal skills and human resources management
An innovative practitioner of ways to invoke educational programs and administrative processes that engage parent and staff support while fostering desired student outcomes.

Ability to lead in a team environment.
Ability to mentor other leaders, builds teams, and creates a supportive work environment.
An inclusive decision maker when confronted with challenging issues and concerns.
Able to meet people easily & cordially; comfortable with diverse backgrounds.
A professional demeanor, while at the same time, developing close relationships with parents, staff and community.
A healthy level of self-confidence combined with biblical humility.
Ability to think strategically and to analyze complex situations.
Possess insight into contemporary culture and the challenges facing families, youth and Christian education.
Ability to extend beyond philosophy and theory to invoke practical application.