ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL

FOR DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND

ANTI-RACISM (Grades Pre-K-12)
Montclair Kimberley Academy’s
diverse, collaborative, and inclusive
community inspires students to lead
lives of noble character, purpose, and
distinction. The school’s challenging,
engaging, and innovative academic
program provides a vibrant and
transformative education. Our
faculty’s deep and genuine
understanding of our students as
individuals and as learners fosters
their ethical development, intellectual
growth, and personal success.

As guided by its Strategic Plan, MKA is

committed to promoting multicultural
education, grounded in ideas of equity,
anti-bias education, anti-racism, and
social justice. We see multicultural
education as a process of inquiry,
reflection, and engagement that
honors students’ narratives, provides a
safe environment in which to explore
and discuss multiple perspectives, and
helps transform students and faculty,
school culture and curriculum,
community, and society. We seek
candidates who share our commitment
to this process.
Montclair Kimberley Academy (MKA), one of the largest,
co-educational, independent day schools in New Jersey, is committed to providing every
student in grades Pre-K through 12 with opportunities to develop their infinite potential, in terms
of both their intellect and their character. Guided by its motto—Knowledge, Vision, Integrity—
the school encourages active participation in the arts, athletics, and community engagement to
enhance the growth fostered by the challenging academic curriculum. Three, age-appropriate
campuses, a significant commitment to diversity and inclusion, and faculty professional growth
and development are hallmarks of the MKA experience.

The school delivers an innovative education that combines excellence in teaching, creativity
in curriculum, and a highly personal, technology-enriched environment. As a result, students
develop the capacity to think critically, the confidence to stretch their abilities, and the skills
required to meet today’s and tomorrow’s real-world challenges.

Dedicated to their own learning as well as their students’ learning, MKA faculty members
are committed to a continuous process of inquiry. The school allocates significant funding to
support their professional growth. The Professional Growth Process (PGP) engages every faculty
member in an ongoing process of inquiry, reflection, and adjustment of practice. On-site
professional development workshops provide opportunities for faculty to inquire, explore,
collaborate, and experiment with new ideas. Faculty members also travel locally and globally to
attend conferences and workshops with renowned experts.

With 85 towns represented in the student body, 18% faculty of color, and 42% students of
color, inherent to an excellent MKA education are two values central to its work in diversity and
inclusion: that MKA has a responsibility to prepare students for a society that is growing more
complex and global and that all students work best when they—and their families—are seen,
known, and truly accepted for who they are. The school continues to build cultural competency,
relying on its ability to empower students, families, faculty, and staff to create a more inclusive
community. A team of faculty serves as Diversity and Inclusion Coordinators at each campus;
they help lead the faculty in the development of multicultural curriculum as well as the policies
and procedures that shape everyday life. For instance, student affinity groups across all three
campuses provide opportunities for students to connect, uplift one another, and talk about
their experiences. A Diversity and Inclusion Parents Committee serves as a source of guidance
and feedback to the leadership of the school and has played a key role in collaborating on the
school’s Diversity and Inclusion Statement of Purpose and establishing parent affinity groups.
Connected to the fundamental principles found in MKA’s motto – Knowledge, Vision, Integrity – this
Diversity and Inclusion Statement of Purpose defines our community’s aspirational beliefs and actions:

• We believe that the diversity of experiences presented through a dynamic multicultural curriculum
develops our global cultural competency. To cultivate a love of learning, we encourage ourselves
to explore and appreciate differences and similarities, challenge stereotypes, and acknowledge the
range of perspectives within and outside of our community.

• We strive for equity and social justice as the foundation for our engagement with an increasingly
complex world. To promote full and active citizenship and leadership, we engage with the world
through the strength of our ethical convictions and recognize our deep interdependence with
others.

• We uphold that an inclusive school environment fosters a culture of mutual respect, moral
responsibility, and academic excellence. To recognize complexity and value empathy, we
welcome, embrace, support, and encourage our entire community: its races, cultures, genders,
and sexualities, its experiences and economics, its aspirations, abilities, and affiliations.

THE OPPORTUNITY

This Assistant Head of School position provides a unique opportunity for a dynamic, experienced
school leader to lead the school’s Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism (DIA-R) initiatives, Pre-K-12.
The Assistant Head of School for Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism influences all facets of school
life, from curriculum and pedagogy to athletics and the arts, and is a frequent, collaborative thought
partner with the Head of School, the three campus Heads, and the Assistant Head of School for
Curriculum and Professional Development. This Assistant Head of School is a member of the
Administrative Council and also collaborates with the Admissions Team, the Athletics Department,
the Communications Team, and the Development Team, to help achieve the school’s key priorities,
mission, and vision. To cultivate a diverse and cosmopolitan community where everyone feels at
home and where students become prepared to engage with our dynamic, 21st-century world, the
Assistant Head of School for Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism works closely with the Diversity and
Inclusion team of faculty to help our faculty and staff work to affirm the identity of every student and
family. This key role also connects deeply with students and parents.

Successful candidates will have experience leading Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work in
schools or other organizations and will have an educational philosophy and a vision that are consistent
with Montclair Kimberley Academy’s values.
 RESPONSIBILITIES OF ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL
FOR DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND ANTI-RACISM

• As a member of MKA’s Administrative Council, leads and serves as an ambassador, articulator,

and steward of the school’s mission and vision across all three campuses.

• As the leader of MKA’s Diversity and Inclusion Campus Coordinators, models leadership and
leads from a research-informed perspective.

• Amplifies the school’s values connected to ensuring diversity and inclusion in an environment
that centers academic excellence and a vision for developing students who demonstrate personal
engagement with the world and take responsibility as citizens and leaders.

• Demonstrates commitment to and awareness of educational, physical, social, and psychological

needs of the school community and develops plans for meeting those needs with a
student-centered approach to DIA-R initiatives.

• Partners with the Head of School to collaborate with the Board of Trustees on DIA-R matters;
facilitates and frames the agenda, in collaboration with the Chairperson, for the DEI Board
Committee.

• Makes recommendations to the Head of School and to other Administrative Council members
regarding the recruitment, hiring, retention, and mentorship of school employees and participates,
where practical, in the hiring process.

• Supports the creation and implementation of all-school programs connected to DIA-R initiatives
(curricular and co-curricular) to best meet the needs of students, faculty, staff, and families.

• In collaboration with other MKA curricular leaders, cultivates a vision and program for inclusive
teaching and learning that is mindful of the unique needs of Pre-K-12 students.

• Understands and articulates data-informed trends in pedagogy and educational practices,

particularly as they pertain to DIA-R.

• Serves as a thought partner and collaborator with the three Heads of Campus and the
Assistant Head of School for Curriculum and Professional Development to promote cultural
competency and other formative learning experiences designed to increase equity and inclusion.

• Collaborates with school leaders to ensure consistency and transparency around discipline,
behavior, and school climate opportunities and challenges, and around restorative justice
practices; collaborates with school leaders to communicate with students and families around
disciplinary opportunities and challenges.

• Fosters trust and serves as a bridge-builder between the school and parents.

• Collaborates with and serves as a thought partner on program and policy to the Admissions Team,
the Athletics Department, the Communications Team, and the Development Team.

• Fosters deep relationships throughout the MKA community between students, alumni, faculty,
and staff.
 DESIRED QUALITIES

• Empathetic and inspiring educational

leader
• Passion for and understanding of
Pre-K-12 learning
• Personal and professional commitment
to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging,
and anti-racism and the requisite
skillfulness to support student, faculty,
and staff growth in this area
• Ability to communicate with clarity in
writing and speaking
• Skill in developing trust with various
constituencies and deftly navigating
sensitive conversations
• Calm confidence that comes from prior
leadership experience
• High emotional intelligence and sensitivity
to organizational dynamics
• Exceptional organizational and
interpersonal skills
• Confidence and humility to advocate for
new ideas, invite healthy debate, and
welcome and reflect on feedback

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with and enthusiasm for

leading inspirational change that deepens
community, empowers community
members, and nurtures belonging
• Prior experience in designing learning
opportunities for students and adults, and
in developing strategic programs across
grade levels, divisions, or departments
• At least 10 years of experience working
in an educational setting
• Evidence of post-collegiate learning
and growth connected to Diversity and
Inclusion
• Master’s degree preferred
• Prior experience working as a leader in
Independent Schools a plus
 TO APPLY

By February 11, 2022, interested candidates should submit materials as

separate PDF attachments in one email to:

Cristina Junquera
Executive Assistant to the Head of School
cjunquera@mka.org
973.509.7935

Submissions must include the following:

• Cover letter expressing how your experience has prepared you for this
leadership position
• Current résumé
• Statement of educational philosophy and practice
• List of five references, including the name, phone number, and email
address of each (references will be contacted only with the candidate’s
permission)

It is MKA’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified

persons regardless of age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex,
gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, or disability
not related to the requirements for being a successful employee at MKA.