Click here to download the complete job description
Dear Durham Nativity School Community:
As 2020 comes to a close, we are excited to share an update on our Head of School search.
As you know, we chose to partner with consultants from Carney, Sandoe & Associates to guide us through the search process. In November and early December, our consultants, Barbara Daush and Marsha Little, spent significant time in conversation with students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and members of the Search Committee as they built their expertise about DNS. On the heels of those meetings, we sent a community survey, so that you could further share your insights, perspectives, and hopes for our school and community. Ninety-two members of our community—parents, faculty and staff, alumni, trustees, and friends of the school—completed that survey. In mid-December, members of the Search Committee joined the Board of Trustees for a workshop, in which we further reflected on our priorities for the next Head.
In conversation and through the survey, our community’s passion for our school came through loud and clear. Some of the key themes we heard included:
What we treasure about Durham Nativity School:
- Academic excellence
- Support that continues through high school and college
- Leadership development for students
- Small class sizes
- Teaching of moral and ethical values
Priorities for the next Head of School:
- Recruiting and retaining high quality faculty
- Strategic planning for the future
- Strengthening existing high school partnerships and establishing new partnerships
- Fundraising
Critical Personal Qualities for the next Head of School:
- Leadership skills
- Excellent communicator
- Personal and professional commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Innovative and forward-thinking
A few days ago, we finalized the Durham Nativity School Head of School position description, and we believe you will see these themes woven throughout. Our consultants will use this document to guide their conversations as they recruit and interview candidates in the weeks ahead. You can find the position description on our website or by clicking here.
Throughout January, Barbara and Marsha will get to know interested candidates who understand the opportunities and challenges of our school and who meet our desired qualifications and qualities as outlined in the position description. We anticipate that the Search Committee will begin reviewing the materials of a curated group of candidates in early February, in order to select semi-finalists and ultimately finalists. If you hear from any interested candidates or wish to nominate someone for consideration, please reach out directly to Barbara and Marsha. Their contact information is on the final page of the position description.
I am so thankful to our Search Committee members for all they are doing behind the scenes to support this important work. If you have questions at any point, please feel free to reach out to me by email at BMoylan@sportsendeavors.com.
Thank you for all you do to support Durham Nativity!
Best wishes for a restful and restorative holiday season,
Brendan Moylan, Search Committee Chair
Search Committee Members: Polly Hardie, Rick Helfer, Jeanne Howard, A.J. Jimerson, Marco Reyes, Harrison Shannon, Ruby Thompkins, Roy Toston