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Head of School
Taejon Christian International School (Korea)

 

TAEJON CHRISTIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

SEEKS: HEAD OF SCHOOL

START DATE: JULY 2020 or July 2021

APPLICATION DEADLINE: march 6, 2020

OVERVIEW OF THE SCHOOL - (as of SY 18-19)

Taejon Christian International School located in Daejeon, South Korea, was founded in 1958. The school is a private, not-for-profit school, delivering a three program IB curriculum to students in K-12 with a current enrollment of 400 students representing 23 different nationalities. Less than thirty percent of the enrollment are Korean national. TCIS employs 80 faculty members of which over 50% have advanced degrees and come from nine different countries. TCIS is both a day school serving families in and around Daejeon, as well as a boarding school serving families from other cities in Korea and, potentially, throughout the world. 

The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) in the United States, is authorized in all three programs by the IB, and the boarding program is accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). TCIS is an active member of and the Korean-American Interscholastic Activities Conference (KAIAC), the Asia Pacific Activities Conference (APAC), and the East Asia Regional Council of Overseas Schools (EARCOS). TCIS is registered with the Korean Ministry of Education and is officially recognized as a foreign school in Korea.

MISSION, VISION, AND CORE VALUES

Mission Statement: TCIS strives to cultivate internationally minded learners who lead in purposeful change.

School Motto: Learn • Love • Lead

TCIS Educational Framework: The TCIS Educational Framework is a system of statements and definitions by which we operate and measure our success as an educational institution. It defines how we educate and evaluate students, as well as how we invest in and evaluate our faculty. These statements allow those who visit our community to see who we are and what we stand for.

DEFINITION OF LEARNING

Learning is the process of developing and growing oneself through the search for truth.

LEARNING PRINCIPLES

1.Thinking/Taking Action - Learners deepen their understanding when they apply their learning to authentic situations by:

• developing research and thinking skills
• inquiring into concepts and ideas
• solving complex problems and issues
• reflecting and giving thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experiences.

2.Future Ready - Learners prepare for a future of collaboration and communication by:

• communicating creatively and confidently in a variety of ways
• evaluating information
• realizing the need for interdependence
• empathizing with other perspectives
• engaging in experiential learning and outreach

3.Character - Learners build character to determine who they are today and tomorrow by:

• acting with integrity, fairness, and justice and by respecting the dignity and rights of others
• taking personal responsibility for actions and consequences
• cultivating a culture of respect and understanding
• developing resilience and perseverance when facing challenges and/or setback
• serving others through acts of compassion.

4. Whole Person - Learners pursue wholeness and balance in all aspects of their lives by:

• maturing intellectually
• growing spiritually through exploring God and personal faith
• nurturing emotional health
• maintaining physical well-being
• cultivating social relationships
• encouraging stewardship of resources.

DEFINITION OF LEADERSHIP

Leadership is envisioning change and acting as the catalyst for principled endeavors. Leaders inspire the community to model integrity and servanthood, taking strategic action to generate purposeful change.

LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES

1.Thinking/Taking Action - Leaders transfer knowledge and understanding to take action towards purposeful change in the community.

• Leaders continue to grow in competency in order to assist with creating vision.
• Leaders are self-directed and undertake independent action that motivates self and others.
• Leaders understand that change is a process and not an event.

2.Future Ready - Leaders value diversity and create passionate synergy on the vision.

• Leaders express their ideas via multiple formats and forums.
• Leaders listen and collaborate.
• Leaders grow other leaders.

3.Character - Leaders are others-focused and demonstrate courage, forthrightness, and perseverance.

• Leaders advocate on behalf of others to increase awareness, empathy, and understanding.
• Leaders generate positive change in their communities.
• Leaders serve others and the environment. (Christ-like actions)

4.Whole Person - Leaders understand that situations require different styles of leadership to ensure productive and sustainable change.

• Leaders adapt their leadership to the community’s ever evolving needs.
• Leaders are lifelong learners.
• Leaders expect Christ-like actions from themselves and others.

CAMPUS AND FACILITIES

In 2012, Taejon Christian International School opened a new campus in the beautiful and developing Techno Valley. These new facilities sit on a green hill between two rivers. The science and research community is nestled below the hill to the west. This is a diverse neighborhood, different in many ways to other parts of Daejeon. There are many businesses and services located within walking distance, which support a comfortable lifestyle for the school, its students and its employees.

The facilities include 73 classrooms, five large science labs, three large music rooms, smaller musical practice rooms, a Performing Arts Complex (with theatre, reception area, and production rooms for makeup, costume, set construction, etc.), a computer  lab, design/workshop, two libraries located across three levels, two dining areas, two faculty resource centers, an infirmary, administrative complex of offices.

There is a  showcase gymnasium, a fully equipped fitness center, and a large activity center containing a second gymnasium, a stage, and large (retractable) seating capacity. Outdoor facilities include  five artificial surface tennis courts and an artificial surface soccer field with stadium lighting for night play. There are also two playgrounds, and a large “wooden deck” community area for casual use and hosting outdoor events.

The school has an on-campus dormitory building divided into five distinct houses, separated by floors, for a total potential capacity of 170 students. Each house is equipped with space for 34 students in two distinct wings, separated by a dorm parent apartment and communal/recreational facilities.  Two further apartments bookend the student halls for a total of three faculty apartments in each dormitory house.

ENROLLMENT

Taejon Christian International School educates roughly 400 students K-12 in a comprehensive International Baccalaureate program that is underpinned in the foundations of Christian faith. Approximately 85% of the student body are of ethnic Asian backgrounds and students come from a variety of nations. The vast majority of our graduates seek higher education in the United States, with the remainder attending college in places including Canada, South Korea, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

CALENDAR

A school year is made up of two semesters which run from August to December and January to June. This is opposite the local Korean educational calendar but aligns with other international, foreign, and USA-DOD schools in Korea. 

FACULTY AND ADMINISTRATION

TCIS employs roughly 144 faculty and staff of which 52% of whom hold Master’s Degrees or equivalent post-graduate course work. Staff members bring diverse experiences to the school from many different countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, South Korea, China, Colombia, New Zealand, Spain, and Taiwan.

 

The average class size in Elementary is 14.5 and in Secondary School the average class size is 11 with a student to teacher ratio of 6:1. The graduating Class of 2019 includes 57 students, most of which have attended our school throughout their high school years.

 

CURRICULUM & CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Taejon Christian International School offers a high quality, challenging education to international students. The TCIS educational experience is a holistic one that follows the International Baccalaureate (IB) system of education, which is highly regarded around the world as one of the most effective programs preparing students for the rigors of university and their future careers.

TCIS is very proud to count itself as the first school in Korea to be authorized to deliver three IB Programs. TCIS gained its authorization to deliver the IB Diploma Program (DP) in 2005 and attained its authorization for the Primary Years Program (PYP) in 2008. TCIS was able to offer the Middle Years Program (MYP) in 2012.

Instruction is primarily delivered in English, with the exception of Language and Literature classes in Korean and Mandarin and Language Acquisition classes in Spanish and Mandarin.  Support is provided for language learning difficulties and mild learning disabilities. TCIS utilizes the WIDA program for supporting English Language Learners.

There are a wide variety of co-curricular activities at all levels. 

Grades 9-12 Conference Activities: Volleyball, Tennis, Cross-Country Running, Junior-Varsity Volleyball, Basketball, Cheerleading (co-ed activity), Junior-Varsity Basketball, Soccer, Swimming, Badminton, Forensics, Band, Orchestra, Choir, Theatre

Grades 9-12 Clubs: FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), Science Club, Eco-Green Club, Kendo Club, Amnesty International, KAIST Outreach Program, Art Club, Ampersand Writing Club, Robotics, TEDx Youth, UNICEF, Cooking Club, Model United Nations, Peer Counseling, GIVE club, Film Club, Chess Club, Ballet ABCs, Math Club, Prayer & Sharing, The Golden Dragon (newspaper), Gift Club, Band Club, Golden Time (medical group), Compassion International, Prom Committee, Dance Club, Producing (Hip Hop) Club, “Pen in a Box” and Sci-Art.

Grades 6-8 Intramural Activities: Cross Country, Boys & Girls Soccer, Table Tennis, Co-ed Volleyball, Boys & Girls Basketball and Tennis.

Grades 6-8 Clubs: Lego Robotics Club, Reader's Theater Club, Woodworking, Art Club, Outdoor Adventure, Christmas Craft Club, Korean Club, Table Tennis, Badminton and Running.

Grades K1-5 Clubs & Activities (currently): Spanish Club, Gym Games, Ballet, Coding Club, Gymnastics, Lego Club, Chapel Praise Team Club, Performance Choir, Language Lab, Science Club, Golf, Chinese Culture Club, Music and Dance Play, Inquiry Club, Frisbee and Games Club, Badminton, Board Games, Chess Club, Storytelling Through Movement, Crafts, Art Club, Monogram Club, Boys Basketball and Minecraft Club.

THE COMMUNITY

Daejeon is the fifth largest city in Korea with approximately 1.5 million people. With 30 government-funded research institutes, 19 universities, and roughly 400 privately funded business R&D centers, Daejeon is the largest center for research and development in all of Korea.

Daejeon is also very much a green city with many kept areas that cater to those who love the outdoors. There are many parks, riverside areas, bicycle and hiking trails, and mountainous national park areas. In the past several years, Daejeon has consistently been voted the “best city for families” within Korea. Smaller than Seoul, Daejeon has a less congested and slightly more “laid back” feel to it, although it is still very much a large and busy city.

TCIS sits in a neighborhood on the Northern edge of Daejeon, in a beautiful little neighborhood known as Techno Valley. Techno Valley is especially concentrated in R&D, but the area has been well planned and purposefully built by the city to be a pleasant place to both live and work. The campus sits on a hill between two rivers, overlooking the residential, commercial, and industrial areas of Techno Valley. There is a lovely orchard on one side of the campus and a beautiful green golf course on the other. It is a quiet place, removed enough to be quiet, but in walking distance to local business offerings.

THE POSITION

The Head of School is expected to provide leadership focused on continuous improvement in all areas of the operation of the school, with a particularly strong emphasis on learning.  He/she is responsible for leading the school in accordance with sound principles of curriculum, assessment and instruction, excellence with respect to human resources, proactive communication and strong business and financial management. He/she takes part in all meetings of the Board of Trustees and has a valued voice but no vote. The Head of School is the chief advisor to the Board of Trustees in all policy-level matters.

Job Description

GOVERNANCE

The Head of School reports to the Chair of the Taejon Christian International School Board of Trustees. An ex officio board member, s/he keeps the school board fully informed on all the aspects of the operation of the school and maintains open, effective communication with the Chair and other Board members.

The Head of School performs or manages the performance of the following duties guided by the Board of Trustees School’s Constitution and By-Laws.

VISION AND LEADERSHIP

The Head of School effectively directs school program, including academics; spiritual, co/extra-curricular, and community service programs.

The Head of School fosters a challenging educational environment that strives to support, care for, and nurture each student and helps develop each student’s academic, moral, spiritual, physical and emotional growth.

The Head of School sets a standard of excellence for all aspects of the School’s program, including supervising and working with Directors/Division Heads to develop curriculum.

The Head of School is responsible for attracting, recruiting, motivating and supporting an outstanding and diverse faculty.

The Head of School plays a leadership role in admissions, including recruiting and serving a legal admitted and diverse student body, and in outplacement of graduates of the TCIS.

The Head of School oversees the accreditation process and helps to ensure the school’s professional standing. The Head of School fosters a positive and safe school environment for the entire TCIS community.

The Head of School is responsible to nourish a healthy, and collaborative relationship with Gyeonggi Suwon International School (GSIS).

ADMINISTRATION

The Head of School oversees the School’s business and financial management, including annual budget formulation, stewardship of resources, planning and financial forecasting and reporting.

The Head of School is responsible for hiring and supervising faculty and staff with the Board of Trustees approval.  The Head of School develops and administers operating and personnel policies for the School. The Head of School oversees the maintenance and enhancement of the buildings, grounds, equipment and facilities of TCIS.

DEVELOPMENT, GROWTH, AND PLANNING

The Head of School works with the Board of Trustees to identify capital, staffing and faculty requirements needed for the School to achieve its mission.

The Head of School works with the Board of Trustees and provides guidance on long-range strategic planning and implements Board directives and policies.

The Head of School plays a leadership role in development and fundraising, including solicitation of major gifts, cultivation of relationships with the School’s supporters and potential supporters.

COMMUNITY BUILDING

The Head of School maintains an environment of openness and trust, recognizing the needs, concerns and expectations of students, faculty and staff, parents and the wider TCIS community.

The Head of School represents and promotes TCIS in the Daejeon community, Korea, East Asia, and worldwide through various strategies including networking with various associations. The Head of School also represents and promotes TCIS to its various school constituencies, including students, employees, parents, alumni, friends, throughout the TCIS community.

Qualifications for the New Head of School

Required:  Strong spiritual Christian leader, graduate degree and/or administrative certification, successful experience as Head-of-School and/or principal.

Preferred Qualifications:

• IB experience
• International teaching and/ or administrative experience
• Strategic planning experience
• Expertise in budgeting and finance
• Successful experience as a recruiter
• Highly effective communication skills - writing/speaking/listening
• Collaborative leadership style
• Well-developed interpersonal skills
• Organizational skills, marketing/advancement skills.  

Desired Characteristics:  The preferred candidate will be able to understand, respect, value, and appreciate the unique and special nature of the Korean culture.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The salary and benefits are competitive and will be dependent upon the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate.

PROCEDURE FOR FILING APPLICATION

The Board of Trustees has appointed Search Associates as its partner in its search for the Head-of-School with Dr. Brent Mutsch serving as the lead consultant. The deadline for applications for the position is March 6, 2020. Candidates are asked to submit a letter of interest and the requested materials listed below as early as possible as the Search Committee reserves the right to close the selection process at any time if the right candidate is identified.

The review of files will begin as soon as applications are received. Finalists will be selected by the Search Committee and at least three finalists will be identified. Finalist candidates together with their spouse (if applicable) will be invited to  Taejon to meet with the Board of Trustees, visit the school and meet with faculty, non-teaching staff, parents, students and administrators.

The new Head-of-School will be selected at the conclusion of the site visit, final interviews, and reference checks. The new Head-of-School will assume his/her professional responsibilities in July 2020 or July 2021, dependent on availability.

Candidates should send the information listed below as a single pdf file attached to an email:

• A letter of application, explaining your strengths as a candidate and why you are interested in the Head-of-School position at Taejon Christian International School.
• A statement describing your management and educational philosophy, not to exceed two pages.
• A current résumé not to exceed two pages.
• A one-page list of references with current addresses, phone numbers and email addresses.
• A maximum of four letters of reference (scanned at low resolution) that may already be in your possession.

Total document size should be kept to less than four (4) MB if possible. Applications should be sent to: bmutsch@searchassociates.com .  Additional information about Taejon Christian International School can be found on the school’s web site at: www.tcis.or.kr

Dr. Brent Mutsch                                              

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

Skype: brentmutsch   

Email: bmutsch@searchassociates.com