Association of Independent & DC Schools

Glen Burnie, Maryland Executive Director July 2015 www.aimsmddc.org Sample Member Schools The Position ince 1967, The Association of Independent Mary- Calverton School Sland & DC Schools (AIMS) has supported a vi- Located just 45 minutes brant network of independent schools in Maryland east of Washington, DC, and the District of Columbia. Through its mission Calverton is a commu- to provide outstanding professional development, ac- nity of over 350 learners creditation services, public advocacy, and networking in grades PK-12. The opportunities, AIMS serves 122 schools, over 47,000 school bases its philoso- students, and more than 7,000 teachers and adminis- phy on four foundations: trators. Over the years, AIMS has earned a position academics, athletics, of high regard nationally. The Association is forward arts, and community. -thinking and particularly attuned to the needs of its schools.

The Executive Director of AIMS represents the As- sociation’s Board of Trustees, whose primary role is Garrison Forest School to oversee the implementation of the Association’s Since 1910, Garrison mission, to assure the financial integrity of the As- Forest School has em- sociation, and to think strategically about the future powered a community of the Association and member schools. The Board of girls in grades PK-12 delegates day-to-day management responsibilities to to achieve their fullest the Executive Director. In addition to the Director’s potential and live lives regional duties, he or she is called upon regularly as a of purpose. Garrison trusted advisor to member schools. Forest is located in Ow- ings Mills, just outside The new Executive Director will benefit from the vi- of . sion and experience of a 14 person Board. The Board is made up of leaders from schools representing a va- riety in size, geographic location, philosophical ori- entation, and mission. The diversity of backgrounds on the Board brings great perspective to the Associa- tion. Gilman, the nation’s AIMS seeks a new Executive Director who will first country day school, strengthen and expand the Association as it contin- has provided a college ues to provide invaluable services to its constituent preparatory education schools in Maryland and DC. to boys since 1897. The School places particular emphasis upon academic The Association excellence, athletic par- ticipation, and aesthetic AIMS provides a comprehensive range of services to appreciation, producing its member schools, including professional develop- men of character and ment workshops and conferences, rigorous and effec- integrity who contribute tive accreditation services, and public advocacy that positively to their com- protects and maintains the important independence of munities. its member schools.

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Among the most active independent school Associa- Lowell School tions nation-wide, AIMS offers a variety of profes- sional development opportunities each year. The Located in the heart of AIMS Annual Conference in Baltimore provides a Washington, DC, Low- day of professional development workshops to over ell School creates an 1,500 teachers, administrators, and Board members of inclusive community Maryland and DC independent schools. The AIMS of lifelong learners in Technology Retreat on Maryland’s Eastern Shore which each individual is helps schools understand and implement the latest in- valued and respected. A novations related to technology education. The AIMS progressive curriculum Heads Conference in Annapolis brings together Heads encourages students to of School, allowing them to network and learn from think both creatively one another about their varied experiences. Trustee- and analytically, helping ship 201, for school Heads and Trustees, focuses on them learn self-direc- the strategic landscape and generative thinking. tion. Mercy High School

Accreditation Services Mercy High School in Baltimore provides AIMS provides comprehensive accreditation services a secondary school for its member schools. education to young women in the tradition The AIMS accreditation process includes three broad of the Sisters of Mercy. phases: a written self-study by the school; a three-day Since 1960, Mercy has exhaustive visit by a team of outside peer educators grounded education in that results in a written report to the school; and a belief in a personal God. school Action Plan that responds to recommendations made by the visiting team. AIMS accreditation is de- voted to the school-improvement model, granting ac- creditation only after the school provides a road map for continued success and improvement over subse- quent years. A PK-12 Quaker Day At the heart of AIMS’ accreditation process is its School with campuses commitment to the children who attend its member in Washington, DC and schools. The accreditation process seeks to ensure Bethesda, MD, Sidwell that each student receives the highest quality educa- Friends is a community tion possible. inspired by the values of the Religious Society Careers of Friends and guided by the Quaker belief in The AIMS Career Center acknowledges the inherent “That of God” in each differences that exist in every independent school and individual. helps educators find the right fit in a position at one of its member schools. Through an online job seeker account, educators can search for openings at any of AIMS’ member schools. Additionally, AIMS hosts an

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 2 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com annual job fair, which focuses on recruiting diverse faculty from a variety of backgrounds and heritages for independent school positions.

Educators Benefit Services

An outstanding example of the creative work that AIMS does for its member schools is represented by Educators Benefit Services (EBS). EBS is owned by AIMS with the sole purpose of providing high- quality group health insurance benefits at competitive prices to employees of AIMS member schools.

EBS has been enormously successful for more than 20 years – in fact, it is one of the most successful independent school health insurance groups in the country. Opportunities and Challenges port to Heads and Board. The next Executive Director will join a forward-look- ing organization that is justifiably proud of its accom- The Executive Director serves as the Association’s plishments yet is eager to recruit a leader who will chief spokesperson and advocate for independent help it define and achieve its next level of excellence. education. With assistance from the Association’s lobbyist, the Executive Director will work to main- The 122 AIMS member schools represent a wide tain the independence of the Association’s members variety of school size and types, including faith- through advocacy in the Maryland General Assembly based schools, coed schools, single-sex schools, and and the Maryland State Department of Education. schools with a distinctive pedagogical focus, such as Montessori schools. The Executive Director must be Accreditation is one of AIMS’ most important pro- equally comfortable engaging with the mission and grams, and its ongoing refinement is an essential task leadership of all member schools. for AIMS and the Executive Director. The AIMS Ac- creditation process, which is overseen directly by the One of the most valuable and satisfying opportunities Director of Accreditation, is a powerful and rigorous for the Executive Director is working with individual tool to support continuous school improvement, and school Boards and individual school Heads. In recent its effectiveness helps make the case for continued years, the amount of time the Executive Director has independence to legislatures and regulators. spent in those activities has increased significantly. AIMS is justifiably proud of its deep commitment to Although many member schools are fully enrolled fostering diversity of all kinds in its schools. The Ex- and possess significant financial resources, many oth- ecutive Director will be asked to sustain those efforts, ers are facing financial strains. The Executive Direc- including providing support for: the annual AIMS tor will support schools seeking to ensure their long- Job Fair; Making Schools Safe, which is planned by term sustainability through programs offered by the the Gender & Sexuality Diversity Committee; and Association and the Executive Director’s direct sup- the annual Diversity Conference.

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 3 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com The Executive Director will sustain the positive re- provides its membership with strong programs. lationship with Educators Benefit Services and its • Prior administrative leadership experience, ide- president. There may be the potential for increased ally at an independent school; collaboration which would be beneficial to schools in • Broad knowledge of independent schools, partic- the area and could also benefit AIMS. ularly the issues related to sustainability, and the ability to consult on issues of governance, opera- With a staff of five full- and part-time professionals tions, and program; working in offices convenient to BWI Airport and an • Deep understanding of the issues surrounding Amtrak station, the Executive Director oversees the diversity, inclusion, and cultural proficiency in Association’s finances and operations, and supervises member schools; its staff. The Executive Director must be comfortable • Experience in institutional governance and an working without the full technical support offered by ability to work effectively with the Board; many schools. • Demonstrated understanding of the financial management of schools; • Strong academic background, at least at the Mas- Professional ter’s degree level. Qualities Desired Personal Qualities The selected candidate will be, in consultation with • An approachable style; the AIMS Board and the Association’s membership, • An enjoyment of being a hands-on leader who responsible for the strategic vision for AIMS and the can be equally comfortable dealing with sophisti- effective delivery of its programs. cated educational policy issues or the more mun- dane matters involved with organizing an event; The ideal candidate would have most, if not all, of the • Sound judgment, ability to assess and weigh com- following professional qualifications: peting demands and make difficult decisions; • Ability to develop trust with member schools and • Effective and strategic communication skills to with the AIMS Board; support the Executive Director’s role as the am- • Desire to work collaboratively with others in de- bassador and advocate for independent education cision making; in the region; • Willingness to travel extensively to visit schools; • A demonstrated understanding of the current • Self-confidence, poise, and presence; trends and innovations in education, coupled with • Strong work ethic, determination, stamina, and an entrepreneurial ability to identify potential abundant energy; new opportunities and foster strategic alliances • Ability to work collaboratively with the AIMS that strengthen the Association and its schools; staff; • The ability to think strategically while remaining • Sense of humor. highly organized to ensure that the Association

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 4 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com To Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should submit electronically in one e-mail and as separate documents, preferably as PDFs, the following materials:

• Cover letter expressing interest in the AIMS position • Current résumé • List of five references with name, phone number, and email address of each to:

Earl Ball | Robert Fricker Senior Search Consultants Carney, Sandoe & Associates [email protected] | [email protected]

Carney, Sandoe & Associates 44 Bromfield Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108

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