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Head of School
American Overseas School of Rome (Italy)

Dear Search Colleagues,

On behalf of the Board of Trustees and the Search Committee of the American Overseas School of Rome, we are pleased to announce that Dr. Kristen DiMatteo has been appointed Head-of-School beginning in August 2020.

Dr. DiMatteo is currently the Deputy Head of Munich International School in Munich, Germany, a position she has held since 2015.  In addition to her current leadership position, she has also held leadership position as Tashkent International School and the American School of Warsaw. 

Dr. DiMatteo earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at Binghamton University in Binghamton, New York, Masters of Public Administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York, Masters of Arts in Counseling and Guidance from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, Masters of Educational Administration from the University of Massachusetts in Boston, Massachusetts and Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instructional Leadership from Texas A & M University in College Station, Texas. 

 The Board of Trustees, the Search Committee, and Search Associates would like to thank all candidates who expressed interest in the Head of School position at the American Overseas School of Rome and to everyone who both assisted in and supported the successful search process.

 

 

 

 

 

 

American Overseas School of Rome

 

Seeks a new Head of School

For August 2020

 

THE SCHOOL

Established in 1947, the American Overseas School of Rome has a long tradition of providing a rigorous and well-rounded American international education to Pre-K through Grade 12 students.

 

AOSR is made up of about 584 students with approximately one third from the United States, one third from Italy, and the remaining third from about 45 different countries.

At AOSR, we cherish the values that have become pillars of student life, the close bonds of friendship and the warmth of our campus, the unparalleled commitment of our faculty, and the enriching multicultural community that promotes learning both in and outside of the classroom.

Furthermore, AOSR students benefit from our diverse selection of challenging coursework, the personal attention afforded to them through small classes, our dedication to athletics, performing arts and other extra curricular activities, and our ability to use Rome and Italy as a basis for experiential learning. The success of our alumni and the deep, lifelong connection they feel to the school speaks to the experience that students have at AOSR.

The American Overseas School of Rome is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and was the first international school to be awarded MSA's prestigious International Credential.

AOSR is a member of RISA (Rome International Schools Association), CIS (Council of International Schools) and ECIS.

 

 

 MISSION, BELIEFS AND PROFILE OF THE GRADUATE

Mission

AOSR offers the best of an American-International education in a supportive learning environment. We inspire a diverse student body to courageously meet the demands of a changing world through an engaging and creative curriculum.

 

AOSR Belief Statements

Respect:

We believe that the dignity and worth of each person in our community must be honored. Guided by honesty and integrity, we build respect, acceptance and appreciation of ourselves and others.

Collaboration:

We believe that working together stimulates learning; nurtures interpersonal relationships; develops effective communication skills; fosters independent thinking and self-awareness; builds community; and results in better outcomes, ideas, and solutions.

Responsibility:

We believe that responsibility contributes to self-direction and the opportunities that education provides; it guides students to an understanding of their role in our community and to the compassionate service needed to be productive world citizens.

Community:

We believe that the relationships formed through the positive and productive interactions among AOSR’s parents, students, and staff are an invaluable asset in educating our students.

Learning:

We believe that inquiry, risk-taking, and reflection are at the heart of a rich learning environment; we adapt to the individual needs of our students and nurture their personal and academic growth.

Trust:

We believe that trust is promoted through the honest and free exchange of ideas and opinions and is strengthened through communication, compromise and understanding.

 

Profile of a Graduate

 

Succeed Academically

Education provides us with an unparalleled opportunity to envision and put into action both who we desire to be and how we will contribute to our communities. A solid academic foundation is critical to self and society. Academic skills and knowledge empower us to observe, reflect, question, and understand the world around us, and to find joy in the process.

 

Communicate Skillfully

Effective communication skills ensure that we are able to actively listen to and reflect upon ideas of others while sharing our own ideas and beliefs. We display flexibility and skill in our choice of media and tailor it to the intended audience.

 

Collaborate Purposefully

Collaboration with people of different skills, backgrounds, perspectives, and ages is essential. Purposeful collaboration enables us to accomplish shared goals while developing an understanding of effective group dynamics. Together, we make better decisions, accomplish more, and develop fulfilling relationships.

 

Think Critically

Critical thinking allows us to filter and prioritize an unprecedented volume of information to solve problems, make well-informed decisions, and develop enduring understanding to better ourselves and our community.

 

Cultivate Creativity

Creativity is essential to flexibility, innovation, and expression in every part of our lives. By cultivating creativity, we are better able to develop multi-faceted, meaningful responses and solutions that enrich individual and group well-being.

 

Live as Ethical Citizens

Ethical citizens positively impact their community by modeling respect, trust and integrity, which are the behaviors that contribute to creating a healthy community.

 

Be Globally Minded

By understanding and embracing differences, we become increasingly globally minded thus we are better equipped to understand the world around us. We can navigate challenges and be positive change agents for the communities in which we reside.

 

Demonstrate Resilience and Balance

The ability to confront adversity and determine our proper course of action provides endless opportunities for growth. It is essential to prioritize commitments as well as monitor the time and energy needed to achieve our goals.

 

GOVERNANCE

The Board of Trustees is responsible for appointing the Head of School, strategic planning, and approving the annual budget.

The objective of the AOSR Board of Trustees is to advance the school's mission by selecting, evaluating and supporting the Head of School, planning strategically for the school's long term well-being and sustainability as an institution and securing the resources necessary to operate and perpetuate the school. Abstaining from any engagement in day-to-day school operations, the AOSR Board, like other private, independent, and international school governing boards, delegates management to its only employee, the Head of School, who is the Executive Officer for the Board and responsible for implementing Board policies and, in turn, for the school's curriculum, personnel and programs.

The Board adheres to standards of good practice in governance established by the school's accreditors and other international organizations such as ECIS, AAIE, and NAIS in how it goes about its work. This includes exercising fiduciary oversight of institutional performance. All trustees are skilled and recognized specialists in fields identified as necessary for the sustainability of the school. They serve as volunteers without compensation in any form.

The AOSR Board of Trustees currently consists of 13 voting members plus the Head of School who is a non-voting member. Twelve trustees are elected to a three-year term and may serve at any given time for a maximum of two consecutive terms. Up to six trustees may be appointed to the Board annually. The Board of Trustees meets approximately six times per year. Faculty representatives are invited to attend open sessions.

 

SCHOOL ORGANIZATION & ENROLLMENT

AOSR is a fully accredited Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 day school with a US-based curriculum (ages 3-19). Currently the school has 584 students enrolled (225 in Elementary, 160 in Middle and 199 in High).

AOSR is at the forefront in challenging students at every level while providing a support system and a feeling of continuity within the year-to-year transition.

Our students begin their journey of learning with the innovative, world-renowned "Reggio Emilia" approach in the pre-school.

In the elementary school, we nourish curiosity and motivation to learn by exposing students to a wide range of subjects taught in a manner that challenges and supports the learning needs of each student.

Our middle school program, in the delicate age of transition, fosters a greater sense of responsibility and independence.

In the high school, students are given the opportunity to dig deeper and expand their perception of the world through the rigorous International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP) programs.

At every level, AOSR has always respected students with learning differences. For this reason, it was the first school in Italy to develop a resource department to provide a support system for students with learning disabilities in order to ensure their academic success.

 

CURRICULUM

The American Overseas School of Rome (AOSR) recognizes the importance of whole child development, and as such, learning experiences are designed to support social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth in all divisions.  Our Reggio Emilia inspired early childhood program and a child-centered, balanced elementary curriculum facilitates student progression toward, and success in, the college-level work offered through the International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement Programs in our high school division.  

AOSR is a standards-based learning environment.  Intended learning outcomes, aligned to curricular standards selected from AERO and other recognized external frameworks, set the foundation for teaching and learning.  The curricular standards provide coherent learning progressions beginning in Pre-Kindergarten and continuing through grade 12. The standards are used to guide curriculum development, instruction, and assessment.  It is a living curriculum that evolves with and for the children, and that consistently reflects the mission, beliefs, and profile of a graduate.

CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAM

AOSR strives to cultivate scholar/artist/athletes and offers a broad range of curricular and co.curricular programs to achieve this. Our after school activities program is vibrant and extensive. Our athletic program is both  popular and successful with teams meeting with success  in our Department of Defence league.

FACULTY/STAFF

 

CAMPUS & FACILITIES

AOSR is located on Via Cassia, in a beautiful residential area surrounded by a natural reserve. The campus has its own 2.5 hectares (roughly 6 acres), and offers the largest and most complete facilities of any international school in Rome:

•  5 buildings, including a historic villa
• 55 classrooms, each equipped with a projector and LCD panel
• 1 elementary school computer lab with 22 iMacs, 80 iPads and 100 MacBooks
• 1 secondary school computer lab with 26 iMacs
• 5 laptop carts for middle school use with 100 Chromebooks
• 1-1 program in grades 8 and 9 with 120 Macbook Pros
• 4 science labs (middle and high school)
• Elementary and secondary libraries with approximately 22,000 volumes
• 1 auditorium
• 1 gymnasium
• 2 playgrounds
• 1 soccer field
• 1 outdoor basketball court
• 2 outdoor tennis courts
• 1 outdoor Roman amphitheatre
• 1 infirmary with nurses available throughout the day
• 1 coffee bar
• 1 cafeteria with both indoor and outdoor seating serving fresh, home-made food of the highest quality for all students and staff.
• Wide wireless network throughout the campus.
• Design lab with an exclusive computer lab, two 3D printers, and advanced tools for projects
• Edible garden
• Parking lot with 80 parking spots
• Booster Bar
• Large outdoor quad
• PTO Boutique with logo wear

The campus has also many common spaces, both indoor and outdoor, for students to sit comfortably, study and collaborate during and outside of school hours.

HEAD OF SCHOOL POSITION DESCRIPTION

The OPPORTUNITY

The American Overseas School of Rome, founded in 1947, serves the American expatriate, Italian, and international communities in a long-standing tradition of commitment and excellence.

AOSR seeks a dynamic and inspiring Head of School who brings engaged, purposeful, and collaborative leadership to a diverse community of faculty and staff, students, and families. AOSR offers exceptional opportunities for a forward-thinking Head to continue to build and shape a vibrant community of learners.

THE POSITION

The Head-of-School reports to the Board of Trustees and serves as the school-wide leader, working with the leadership team and other select stakeholders to ensure the effective achievement of the school’s mission and strategic objectives.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• An advanced degree in education/educational leadership
• International school leadership experience in a diverse community
• A resourceful leader, communicator, and community builder

PROFESSIONAL QUALITIES/EXPERIENCE, RESPONSIBILITES

• Is a Learning Leader
• Strategic thinker able to develop and execute plans systematically and purposefully that contribute to mission achievement
• Work harmoniously and effectively with all stakeholders: Students, parents, faculty, staff, administration and Trustees,
• Able to promote the school’s standing in a competitive market
• Is a visible and engaged leader in the life of the school
• Promotes student safety and well-being
• Supports a culture of high aspirations in a caring environment
• Manages the budget through effective stewardship of financial resources
• Leads recruitment, retention, and development of faculty and staff
• Directs and plans core academic and associated programs
• Appreciates, respects and further develops inter-cultural openness and respect for diversity
• Driven and passionate about maintaining the forward momentum of recent changes

IMPORTANT ATTRIBUTES

• Deeply values and exhibits open and transparent relationships
• Integrity, values-driven leader
• Reflective listener, sees strength in diverse opinions
• Resolute and resilient in decision-making
• Honors a collaborative decision-finding process
• Flexible, open-minded, sense of humor
• Skilled problem-solver, adept at conflict resolution
• Sets an example of fairness, builds relationships with students

PROCEDURES FOR APPLICATION

The American Overseas School of Rome has appointed Search Associates as its partner in its search for the Head-of-School, with Dr. Brent Mutsch serving as the lead consultant.

 

As this is a renewal of the search process for the new Head of School at the American Overseas School of Rome, previous candidates need not reapply as their candidacies are being further reviewed.  The deadline for applications for the position is October 31, 2019. Candidates are asked to submit a letter of interest and the requested materials listed below to: bmutsch@searchassociates.com

 

The review of applications will begin as soon as applications are received, and qualified candidates will be interviewed and potentially forwarded to the American Overseas School of Rome for further review.  Finalist candidates ( with spouses, if applicable ) will be invited to the campus to visit the school and meet with members of the leadership team and staff in November. The new Head-of-School will be selected at the end of the site visit, finalist interviews, and reference checks and will assume his/her professional responsibilities in August of 2020.

 

Candidates should send the information listed below as a single pdf file (less than 4MB is possible) attached to an e-mail to: bmutsch@searchassociates.com

•  A letter of application, articulating your strengths as a candidate for this particular leadership position;
• A statement describing your management philosophy not to exceed two pages;
• A current résumé not to exceed two pages;
• A list of references, who have been directly responsible for supervising your performance with current addresses, phone numbers and e-mail contacts.  

Dr. Brent Mutsch of Search Associates:

bmutsch@searchassociates.com

Skype: brentmutsch

Tel: 970-368-6879 USA – Mountain Time Zone