Middle School Director

SUMMARYFounded in 1981 as the first Mandarin immersion school in the United States the Chinese American International School (CAIS) educates 571 students age two through 8th grade. Over the last four decades CAIS has been recognized globally as a leader in bilingual education and an innovator for its commitment to immersive cultural education through the study of language. CAIS is a safe place to tinker and try with deep support for educators who lead with curiosity and vision and a culture that values creativity risk-taking and collaboration. Within the middle school students in grades 68 study an intellectually challenging competency-based curriculum that includes math science design technology English language arts social studies Chinese language arts and social studies music studio art and physical the upcoming retirement of the current middle school director who has been at CAIS since 2014 the school now looks forward to welcoming its next middle school director to lead an outstanding academic program and foster community connection across the schools new unified director will oversee the ongoing implementation of competency-based learning in the middle school program and promote Mandarin immersion excellence that distinguishes CAIS among its peers in an increasingly competitive market. This is an exciting opportunity for a mission-driven academic leader to join a visionary community and help define what it means to be a CAIS graduate in a global multilingual world. The next middle school director will also join CAIS two years after the school relocated to a single spectacular unified campus following a period of operations on three separate campuses. Reporting to the head of school the middle school director will directly supervise middle school faculty and learning specialists and the athletic director. CAIS looks forward to welcoming the incoming director to begin July 1 2026.12M & Ed Tech Recruiting is running the search on behalf of Chinese American International School. Applications received by December 28 will receive priority review. For application instructions and the full job opportunity statement please visit: IMPORTANT INFORMATIONPriority Deadline: December 28 2025Virtual Semifinal Round: Week of January 19On-site Final Round: Week of February 2Decision Announced: February 16 2026Start Date: July 1 2026Reports To: Head of SchoolClassification: Full-time ExemptAnnual Salary Range: $178500 $218400SPECIFIC DUTIESDivisional LeadershipServe as the intellectual leader of the middle school overseeing all programmatic and academic operations for the division that provides a thoughtful and robust Mandarin immersion and maintain positive and collaborative faculty morale encouraging professional development and growth opportunities aligned with the schools academic and evaluate middle school faculty in the performance of their duties through classroom observation training and with the high school placement counselor to support students and families through the high school application and admissions and monitor shared expectations for student behavior and classroom Pedagogy & EngagementCollaborate with teachers and administrators to promote continuity and curricular alignment of the academic program including the fidelity and continued implementation of competency-based learning. Develop and expand specials programs in the arts and support the growth of athletics opportunities through partnership with the athletic director to provide depth for student the development and implementation of curriculum in partnership with the directors of English and Mandarin curriculum which includes the World Languages Pathway for non-native Mandarin with the admissions and enrollment department and other administrative leaders to anticipate and plan for scheduling and logistical needs as the middle school program Culture & CommunityPartner with division directors to cultivate cross-divisional community-building initiatives that support community use of shared spaces and a shared sense of vision and inclusivity and belonging among the community of middle school faculty and the student body grounded in collaboration kindness and mutual respect for individual differences. Serve as a partner to parents articulating the schools vision and programmatic changes warmly and proactively. Report directly to the head of school and perform other duties as QualificationsBachelors degree required; graduate degree preferred 5 years of experience in an educational institution preferably as a classroom teacher and/or administratorDemonstrated understanding of current education pedagogy including competency-based learning or other non-traditional methods for assessing learningFamiliarity with high school outplacement counseling and admissions processesDemonstrated success supporting teachers through a collaborative trust-based leadership model that values faculty autonomy and professional expertiseExperience guiding parents and guardians on sensitive student-related matters Successful track record leading academic initiatives and programsProficiency in Mandarin is welcome but not requiredLeadership and Personal QualitiesA trusted partner to faculty respecting their expertise advocating for their needs and fostering an environment of professional safety and collaborationCommitment to cross-divisional collaboration including supporting global programs and coordination with Chinese language and cultural studiesA warm and empathetic approach to interacting with all school constituents including students parents faculty staff and board membersA personal and professional commitment to fostering diversity and equity and the interest and skill set to partner with leadership around this work Exceptional written and oral communication skills Excellent organizational and presentation skills A genuine excitement for promoting and advancing Mandarin culture language education and immersionAn eagerness to participate in the life of the school which may include attending occasional schoolwide special events in the evenings and/or weekendsTO APPLYFor more information please visit the following link which contains the job opportunity statement and complete application

Required Experience:

Director