Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
WE ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION.
New Canaan Country School is a co-ed, independent day school for students in Pre-K (ages 3 & 4) through Grade 9 living in Fairfield and Westchester Counties. New Canaan Country welcomes nominations and applications for a creative, thoughtful, and innovative leader and practitioner to serve as its next Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion beginning July 2024.
Located in New Canaan, CT, and serving 560 students, New Canaan Country’s mission is to challenge students to think deeply, question confidently, and act generously so that they may lead lives of impact and purpose. A talented and devoted faculty engages students in developmentally appropriate ways, delivering a challenging curriculum that builds intellectual skills and fosters creative and critical thinking. Faculty and staff lead by example and challenge students to fulfill their potential, find their path, and follow their passions whether in the classroom, on the playing fields, on the stage, or serving the community. New Canaan Country School is also the founding institution of the Horizons program, a now national model that opens doors of opportunity for disadvantaged children through year-long academic and enrichment programming.
The Director sits on the Leadership Team and reports directly to the Head of School. Within the context of New Canaan Country’s mission and strategic plan, the Leadership Team and Board of Trustees are committed to DEI work and to partnership with the Director. Additionally, the Parents Association DEI Task Force and a group of 4-6 stipended faculty and staff DEI Facilitators assist the Director, the Leadership Team, and The Board of Trustees as appropriate in planning, implementing, funding, prioritizing, and assessing all diversity, equity & inclusion initiatives.
The Director leads the effort toward our school’s goal of developing culturally competent students and adults and of a truly inclusive community where the sense of belonging is high. This goal is contained within the school’s current strategic plan Redefine Childhood Education for the Future. One of the three goals within the plan states: “nurture and cultivate the most vibrant, connected, open, diverse, and welcoming community possible to best support student growth and belonging.” A strategy within that goal specific to DEI states: “enhance and expand the diversity of our community, fundamental to our mission, and progress towards becoming a model institution in which everyone sees themselves represented, is empowered, and belongs.” The Director plays an integral role in developing and implementing this strategy.
- Partner with the Head of School and Board of Trustees to advance the vision for diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Manage the DEI Facilitator Team and collaborate with leaders of other initiatives (e.g. student and employee affinity groups, student clubs etc.) who help lead the School’s DEI efforts
- In collaboration with the Division Heads, DEI Facilitators, and Program Leaders, assess and support the development of a diverse and inclusive curriculum, both in content and delivery
- Develop and support a range of professional development experiences in diversity, equity, and inclusion to meet the learning needs of faculty and staff
- Provide ongoing programming that engages students, their families, faculty/staff and trustees in the area of diversity and inclusion and related topics
- Participate in hiring and recruitment efforts to attract, develop, and retain a diverse faculty and staff
- Partner with Enrollment to help source/identify, recruit, and retain a diverse student body
- Partner with Horizons leadership to determine areas of synergy and opportunity for mutual learning, benefit, and growth
The search committee for New Canaan Country School’s Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is now accepting applications and nominations and will begin reviewing materials immediately. Requested application materials include a letter of interest and current resume. Candidate materials should be sent to the following email address: NCCSDEI@storbecksearch.com.