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Director
The American School of Las Palmas (Spain)

 

THE AMERICAN SCHOOL OF LAS PALMAS

DIRECTOR SEARCH

The American School of Las Palmas (ALSP) is a co-educational organization and offers classes from nursery school (age 3) to twelfth grade.  It is located within the picturesque Marzagán Valley, 15 kilometers south of Las Palmas on the island of Gran Canaria.   The beautiful setting of the school campus offers a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean. ASLP is recognized by the Spanish government as an overseas American School. There are many other private schools (British, German, French and ‘Spanish bilinguals’) but ASLP is the only American school in the Canary Islands. ASLP is affiliated with Somerset Schools and is accredited by AdvancED and the Ministry of Education and Science of Spain (M.E.C.) and is a member of the associations 'Mediterranean Association of International Schools' (MAIS).

The school currently has 320 students from 12 different countries; the student population is comprised of 70% Spaniards/Canarians and 30% International families. These include Americans, Canadians, Eastern and Western Europeans, Asians, Indians and West Africans. The school is growing and enrollment is consistently increasing. The faculty of 35 teachers currently includes teachers from countries including Spain, US, UK, The Netherlands, New Zealand; many have been at the school for over 25 years while there is also a nice balance of new teachers.  There are currently ten former students teaching at the school.

Campus facilities include 30 classrooms contained in three areas: the Preschool building (four classrooms plus adjoining buildings), six unique igloo-shaped ‘bubble’ structures for Elementary classrooms, and an elongated two-story building for the Middle & Upper School, Dining Room/Cafeteria, Science Laboratory, IT Laboratory, Library (7000+ volumes), ESL/English as a Second Language and SFL (Spanish as a Foreign Language) classrooms, Art and Music classrooms, Administrative Offices, Basketball and Volleyball courts, an artificial turf soccer field, a small running track and dressing rooms.

The curriculum is academically demanding, preparing students so that they can access any higher education institution of their choice. The multicultural and multilingual student body reflects the school’s commitment to maintaining a caring and pluralist environment that allows them to be positive, thoughtful and responsible participants in a global community that is increasingly complex.

 

ASLP PHILOSOPHY

We believe that the student should be the protagonist in their own training; true growth and learning occurs when the student participates actively. This learning process is achieved by identifying the achievements of the student within the curriculum framework of the theory and application of good teaching practices and an adequate and effective evaluation. We aim to develop organized researchers, who communicate effectively, use information responsibly and use technological media skillfully.

We believe that the student learns best through practice and that our curriculum and teaching methodology promote, encourage and facilitate experiential learning while creating a climate of curiosity for knowledge. The method of "whole language" allows teachers to support the development of vital skills effectively.

 We believe that while the importance of the concepts, knowledge and skills and abilities are recognized, it is equally essential to ensure the development of positive attitudes within the curriculum taught and learned. We want the student to develop self-esteem, a sense of commitment, trust, cooperation, creativity, empathy, enthusiasm, independence, integrity, respect and tolerance.

We believe that students should be aware of the interdependence of human beings and human societies in a global community, and their responsibility for oneself, the social setting and the environment.

 

ASLP MANAGEMENT:  CONSULTORA EDUCACION Y SISTEMAS (CEYS)

Founded in 2000, CEYS is a company of education and system management professionals with a reputation for quality and success, and with years of experience in managing schools. It currently manages nine additional schools, some of the most prestigious in Spain, and which hold the highest recognized qualification in Europe for Quality Standards, European Foundation for Quality Management.

The Executive Board of CEYS consists of Juan de Santiago, General Education Director, and Jaime Garcia, General Management Director.

CEYS specializes in educational services provided under “integrated management” that uniquely aligns the basic principles of each school into an effective teaching program. The company offers human resources services, operational support, systems and experience to optimize the operation of each school. It provides structural support to the Director of the School in day-to-day operations. The departments provide the organizational framework and support to allow the Director to focus on educational issues, the faculty, the families and general administration.

 

 

School Director – American School of Las Palmas

 

School Description

Name of the school: AMERICAN SCHOOL OF LAS PALMAS

School address: Carretera de los Hoyos, km1.7

City and Zip: 35017-Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Country: Spain

Webpage: www.aslp.org

ASLP is recognized as an American system school by the Spanish Government. Due to the variety of student backgrounds, a combined American-Spanish (European) program is offered that prepares students for admission to universities in the United States or Europe (Spanish and English). The High School Program (Standard Diploma) provides for the official approval by the Spanish Education Board and transfer of studies allowing for students to study in the Spanish university system.

ASLP is accredited by the Cognia / AdvancED and by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC). The school is also a member of the Mediterranean Association of International Schools (MAIS).

Job Description

Post:  Director

Responsible for:  All members of school staff, including Saturday School

Overall objective:      The Director will be responsible for the integral development of the Educational Center and the management of all its areas, educational, economic, commercial and organizational, ensuring the fulfillment of both the economic and academic objectives of the School.

Report Line:  Board of Directors, Consultora Educacion y Sistemas (CEYS)

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Represent the School before the educational community, private companies and institutions and Public Administrations.
• Develop the pedagogical line based on the ideology and the Educational Project of the School.
• Direct and coordinate all academic aspects, the preparation of the programs, ensuring compliance and preside over the evaluation meetings.
• Ensure compliance with quality plans for educational excellence in all its aspects.
• Implement and develop new technology projects applied to education.
• Develop commercial activity and meetings with clients that are necessary.
• Control, promote and develop the extra-curricular activities of the School.
• Promote cooperation between the School, students and families, generating constant and fluid communication.
• Select, hire, and evaluate staff, ands promote their training and motivation.

Requirements

Studies: Post-graduate studies

Experience: More than 5 years in leadership positions in education

Languages: Fluent English

Candidates must also be able to demonstrate proficiency in both spoken and written Spanish

Other Requirements:

• US nationality or deep knowledge of the American educational system
• Experience in the accreditation process desired
• Experience in the use of learning management systems, curricular development, technology, MAP Growth, and school-specific platforms and programs
• Experience in staff recruitment and hiring
• Experience in growing admissions and opening new business channels
• The candidate must provide great leadership, organizational and management skills, expertise in managing interpersonal relationships and in conflict resolution, and a clear predominant pedagogical vocation.

Contract: Type of contract is continuous beginning in School Year 2021-22

Workday: Full-time.

Renumeration package: Salary and benefits are regionally competitive.

 

THE APPLICATION PROCEDURE

The American School of Las Palmas invites qualified candidates to submit the following materials:

• a letter of application (no more than two pages), briefly outlining why the candidate wishes to apply for this position and what specific skills, qualities and experience she/he can offer the school
• a CV (no more than two pages)
• a short statement of educational philosophy including anticipated future directions in education (one to two pages)
• the names and full contact details of references (one page)
• one to three current letters of reference

Please submit all application materials in a single PDF as an email attachment to:

Barbara Powers, Senior Consultant -- bpowers@searchassociates.com

Application deadline is December 1.  Earliest applicants will receive first consideration.

 

Additional information about the school can be found as follows:

Website:     www.aslp.org

Instagram:  theamericanschooloflaspalmas

Facebook:  The American School of Las Palmas