Athletic Director

ABOUT UNIVERSITY LAKE SCHOOL

University Lake School (ULS) is a college preparatory school that delivers an incomparable education through the pursuit of academic excellence and the development of the whole student in a unique learning environment that fosters intellectual curiosity, original thinking, personal integrity, and character through service.

Across all grade levels, ULS follows a student-centered approach to learning. Students develop mastery of traditional fact- and process-based standards while engaging in hands-on, developmentally sound learning experiences that emphasize inquiry, research, publishing, and presentation. These experiences cultivate critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills essential for success in college and beyond.

The Lower School curriculum is inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach and emphasizes a balanced integration of child- and teacher-initiated learning. Teaching and learning are guided by close observation of children’s interests through play, documentation, reflection, and dialogue, alongside a strong commitment to the science of reading and research-informed early literacy practices. The program prioritizes deep relationships, reflective practice, respect for others, and meaningful engagement with the learning environment and broader community.

POSITION SUMMARY

University Lake School seeks a Head of the Lower School Division to provide visionary, relational, and operational leadership for its Lower School program. Responsible for the academic, social-emotional, and cultural life of the Preprimary (age 2–K) and Lower School (grades 1–4) divisions, the Lower School Head serves as the primary steward of the division’s student experience and programmatic vitality. Reporting to the Head of School, John Dewis, and serving as a member of the School Leadership Team, the Lower School Head oversees day-to-day operations, faculty development, student life, and parent communication; plays a vital role in advancing the School’s mission and values; and contributes to school-wide strategic initiatives.

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

• Maintain and champion an innovative, high-caliber, Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum that balances student-driven inquiry and project-based learning with a well-articulated scope and sequence, ensuring the development of foundational skills, conceptual depth, and academic confidence.
• Partner with the Head of School and the entire community to embrace ULS’ identity as a destination for learning for all identities and intersectionalities, including the continued priority to integrate and grow the Falk Family Center for Learning Engagement while strengthening inclusive academic practices and ensuring all learners are meaningfully supported and challenged.
• Lead, support, evaluate, empower, and retain ULS’s talented faculty through robust professional development and mentorship while fostering a culture that values collaboration, reflective practice, teacher voice, and professional autonomy.
• Partner with the Director of Admissions to sustain strong enrollment momentum by serving as an ambassador for the Lower School, cultivating prospective family interest, and maintaining the school’s strong reputation within the broader community.
• Foster and deepen the school’s inclusive community culture by strengthening relationships among students, faculty, and families and advancing practices that promote belonging across all aspects of Lower School life.

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