Colegio Maya / The American International School of Guatemala
Guatemala City, Guatemala

seeks a

Director

- - effective July, 2011 - -

The School

Colegio Maya / The American International School of Guatemala was founded in 1958 and is a private, nonprofit, nonsectarian, coeducational day school which offers an educational program from pre-kindergarten through grade 12 for students of all nationalities. Instruction is in English with the exception of language classes in Spanish and Mandarin. 11th and 12th grade students are encouraged to take more challenging courses, some of which are included in Colegio Maya’s Advance Placement (AP) class offerings. The school year is broken into two semesters extending from the second week of August to the third week of December and from the second week of January to the first week of June.

Colegio Maya believes in every student's multiple intelligences and unlimited talents. The community truly values diversity and seeks excellence. Through learning programs and values, each student is encouraged to find his or her own voice and to develop their leadership capacities. Beliefs are based in actions: fostering, celebrating, creating, encouraging, preparing, stimulating and affirming. "Non-negotiables" include small classes with an average size between 12 and 18 students, academic excellence, ongoing staff development, celebration of diversity, and a commitment to fostering social responsibility.

Vision and Mission

Colegio Maya’s vision is to be a community where active learners seek excellence, value diversity and find their own voice to become leaders for a more peaceful world.

The mission of Colegio Maya is to provide an excellent educational opportunity, based on a U.S. curriculum, primarily for the international community in Guatemala, regardless of race, nationality or creed. Colegio Maya offers a program of studies to prepare students for success in the U.S. university system. Recognizing the transient nature of the student body, the curriculum enables students to transfer between Colegio Maya and other U.S. international and Guatemalan schools, insofar as equivalency requirements do not conflict with U.S. curriculum standards. Colegio Maya provides a program that maintains, and benefits from, the international diversity of the community. Colegio Maya is committed to the development of the whole individual and is dedicated to fostering students’ intellectual, social, emotional and physical growth to prepare them to become good citizens and productive members of society.

The Community

Guatemala City, the largest city in Central America, is located in the center highland region of Guatemala and is the capital of this fascinating country. Often called "The Land of Eternal Spring," Guatemala at 5,000 feet has pleasant weather all year-round. Guatemala City is the heart of the nation's cultural, political, and commercial activities, and home to over three million people. Its architecture is a mixture of old and new, with modern buildings, Spanish colonial structures, shantytowns and ancient ruins. Guatemala's culture is a unique blend of indigenous and Spanish colonial influences. About half of the population is mestizo (known in Guatemala as ladino), with the remaining groups including people of mixed European and indigenous ancestry. Some of Guatemala’s rural areas have maintained a large indigenous Mayan population with a distinct identity -- speaking over 23 different languages, following traditional religious and village customs, and continuing a rich tradition in textiles and other crafts. Other cities and rural areas are developing rapidly and are quickly becoming important manufacturing, cultural and social centers outside of Guatemala City.

Campus and Facilities

The school is located on the outskirts of Guatemala City but well within the metropolitan area. The facility includes several academic buildings which serve the early childhood, elementary, middle and high school students. The gymnasium complex includes a large multi-purpose room, four middle school classrooms and a cafeteria. Within the school facilities there are science laboratories, a technology resource center, a high school media center, an elementary computer laboratory, a soccer/football field, and a covered outdoor court. The completely renovated and enlarged elementary and secondary library complex houses more than 21,000 volumes. In addition, students and faculty have access to more than 2,000 periodicals on line. The state-of-the-art Performing Fine Arts Center was opened in 2006 and provides the school with a 336 seat theater complete with dressing rooms and ample set and costume storage space. It also includes classrooms for art, drama and music.

Students

At the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year, enrollment was 347 (PK- grade 5: 170; grades 6-8: 80; grades 9-12: 97). Of the total, 82 were U.S. citizens, 48 were host-country nationals, and 217 were third-country nationals, representing 28 other countries. Of the U.S. enrollment, 34 were dependents of U.S. government direct-hire or contract employees, 19 of U.S. business, 16 of foundation employees, and 8 of other private U.S. citizens.

Curriculum

The School offers a complete U.S. curriculum. Spanish is required for one class period daily for all students. Placement in Spanish classes is determined by the student's level upon enrollment. Beginning Mandarin is offered at the secondary level as an elective. All other instruction is in English. Graduation requirements include language arts, science, math, social studies, physical education, and several electives. Presently, special services are offered for mild learning disabilities and English-as-a-Second-Language. Parents with special needs children should contact the School for a description of the services available. The student activities program is considered to be an integral part of the curriculum and is treated as such by the administration and staff. The school is recognized and authorized by the Guatemalan Ministry of Education and is fully accredited by AdvancED.

Faculty and Administration

In the 2008-2009 school year, there were 45 full-time faculty members including 35 U.S. citizens, 4 third-country nationals, and 6 host-country nationals.

Governance

The School is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors elected for two-year terms by the Colegio Maya Association. Membership in the Association is automatically conferred on the parents or guardians of children enrolled in the School.

The Position Description

The Director provides leadership and direction in planning, coordinating and evaluating the school’s staff and operations in a manner that ensures appropriate educational policies and programs to achieve the fullest possible development of each student. The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following fundamental responsibilities:

1. Serves as the Board’s chief executive officer and educational advisor, assisting the Board to fulfill its governance role:
1. keeps the Board informed of developments and activities requiring Board approval or decision-making;
2. presents recommendations on matters requiring Board action, including policy options along with specific recommendations to the Board when circumstances require the Board to adopt new policies or review existing policies;
3. plans and develops Board meeting agendas in conjunction with the Board President;
4. facilitates professional working relationships among Board members and the administration/faculty of the school;
5. develops and informs the Board of administrative procedures needed to implement Board policy.
2. Plans for current and future school needs:
1. supervises the preparation of appropriate reports (i.e., budgetary projections, staffing, physical plant, and new educational methodologies and techniques);
2. proposes and implements a system for long-range and strategic planning that will engage the Board and the school community in positioning the school for success in the ensuing years;
3. directs the formation and evaluation of annual and multi-year goals and objectives for the school as well as the action plans required to accomplish said goals and objectives;
4. coordinates the establishment and support of, and works cooperatively with, school advisory committees;
5. develops and carries out a plan for keeping the entire professional and support staff informed about the mission, goals/objectives and strategies of the school and determines cooperatively with staff the roles all staff members play in realizing them;
6. develops policies concerning organizational needs for Board consideration.
3. Ensures high-quality “day-to-day” administrative operations of the school:
1. establishes and updates as appropriate the organizational structure;
2. determines line and staff relationships, and assigns work responsibilities;
3. interprets and executes Board policies;
4. develops and oversees a system of administrative controls.
4. Develops and implements appropriate curriculum and instructional programs:
1. ensures curriculum program meets appropriate standards (i.e., college entrance, AdvancED, etc.);
2. presents appropriate reports to the Board concerning instructional programs and curriculum areas;
3. develops and ensures the implementation of a systematic plan of program evaluations and ensures that the recommendations to improve instruction that are generated from these evaluations are implemented.
5. Addresses personnel staffing needs within the school:
1. determines/recommends staffing needs to the Board;
2. recommends employment, retention, promotion and termination of all personnel;
3. ensures that professional development opportunities are available to all school employees;
4. evaluates performance of those directly supervised and provides indirect supervision to others;
5. facilitates through meetings, memos and personal contacts the interpretation of policies, agreements, rules and procedures;
6. involves others in decision-making.
6. Develops and implements a sound program of school/community relations in concert with the Board, the faculty and the administration:
1. ensures effective communications/public relations programs and activities are developed and implemented;
2. communicates pertinent school information to employees, students and parents;
3. encourages effective employee and parental participation in the school;
4. represents the school in various professional meetings;
5. sets an example of personal integrity and leadership.

Required Qualifications

• A proven record of excellent educational leadership in a senior level school position
• A graduate degree in education or a related field
• Demonstrated success in recruiting and retaining an excellent faculty and staff
• Demonstrated successful experience with budgeting and finance

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous head of school experience in an international school
• A commitment to academic excellence and accountability
• Experience with marketing, development, and fund-raising
• Previous successful experience in a small school environment
• An understanding and appreciation of cultural differences and commitment to a diverse student population
• Strong communication skills and a willingness to work closely with school related communities, including local, governmental and diplomatic entities
• Spanish language proficiency – and a willingness and enthusiasm to learn
• Knowledge of and experience with the AP curriculum
• Knowledge of the accreditation process and experience in strategic planning

Personal Attributes / Characteristics

• A collaborative leadership style that embraces shared vision and decision making by welcoming input and making contributors feel valued
• Well developed interpersonal and communication skills
• Enthusiasm for learning languages and embracing cultural diversity
• A high energy level, resilience, a strong work-ethic, and good common sense
• Dedication to his/her profession, flexibility, and high visibility
• Strong organizational skills, proven problem-solving ability, and confidence to make difficult and timely decisions
• Ability to generate confidence and trust with the board, leadership team, and all constituent groups
• Well developed listening skills
• Honesty, integrity, compassion, humility, and a good sense of humor
• Cultural openness, sensitivity, and understanding
• Long term interest in Colegio Maya, with a minimum three-year commitment
• Leadership style that stimulates others and challenges them to be the best they can be
• Has a belief in community service learning and student leadership

Salary and Benefits

The salary will be competitive and will be commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate.

Procedure for Filing Application

Please note this position will not begin until July 2011 for the 2011-12 academic year. The Board of Directors of Colegio Maya has appointed International Schools Services (ISS) to act as consultant in the search for a Director. Candidates who wish to apply for the position must establish or reactivate a professional file with ISS to facilitate the application process and ensure that credentials are provided to the school in a uniform and consistent manner.

Candidates may establish or reactivate their professional files with ISS through the ISS website at www.iss.edu.

Candidates who currently have active professional files with ISS need only to submit a one to two page letter of application addressed to Dr. Ralph Jahr citing the strengths they feel qualify them for consideration for the Director position at Colegio Maya. Application letters should be forwarded to the address noted at the end of this announcement.

The deadline for letters of interest is April 1, 2010.

Candidates are asked to submit their letter of interest as early as possible as the Board reserves the right to close the selection process at any time if the right candidate is found. Semifinalist candidates will be identified by ISS and their dossiers forwarded to the Search Committee for review. Finalist candidates and their spouses, if applicable, will be interviewed in Guatemala soon after they have been selected and will have the opportunity to meet with faculty, parents, students, and non-teaching staff. The new Director will be appointed shortly after interviews of the finalist candidates have been completed. Additional information about the school can be found at the school’s web site at www.cm.edu.gt.