Middle School Associate Director

Staff Position

Founded in 1958, Sequoyah School is an independent progressive K-12 day school in Pasadena, California, built on the belief that diversity of all kinds is fundamental to a powerful education. Students find joy and deep learning as they navigate through curriculum while teachers guide problem-centered classrooms that foster curiosity through intellectual exploration and opportunities for application. The school’s mission to challenge the mind, nurture the heart, and celebrate human dignity is evidenced in its place-based program and signature experiences like Field Studies, the Social Innovation Program, Talking Leaves, and more.

The Associate Director of Middle School at Sequoyah School is a collaborative, equity-minded, student-centered program leader who reports to and works closely with the Assistant Head of School and K–8 Director. In this role, the Associate Director helps guide the vision, culture, and daily life of the middle grades (5–8), serving as a key thought partner in ensuring that Sequoyah’s mission and progressive philosophy, including Habits of Mind, are fully realized in the middle years. A steady and relational leader, the Associate Director nurtures a community where adolescents are known, challenged, and celebrated as thinkers, creators, and citizens.

The Associate Director will help shape the ongoing growth and coherence of the middle school program, strengthening its foundation in inquiry, creativity, and connection. In collaboration with faculty and other key administrators, this person refines and extends interdisciplinary and experiential pathways—building on Sequoyah’s distinctive programs such as Field Studies, Stewardship, Thinkering/dFab, Robotics, and Debate. The Associate Director partners with the Director of Teaching & Learning to support middle-grade teachers in their professional learning and cultivates shared ownership of the program’s evolution, ensuring that the experience remains developmentally responsive, reflective of student voice, and aligned with Sequoyah’s full K–12 vision.

Roles and Responsibilities

Program and Instructional Leadership

Partner with the Assistant Head/K–8 Director and Director of Teaching & Learning to ensure curricular alignment across grades 5–8, with smooth K-12 transitions.
Support teachers in creating and refining inquiry-based, project-driven units that reflect Sequoyah’s Habits of Mind—including Inquiry, Communication, Collaboration, and Stewardship.
Create opportunities for student learning that expand offerings in Middle School and deepen the work of the program, integrating academic research, field study, and community engagement.
Establish systems for program evaluation and improvement.

Student Experience and Well-Being

Serve as the main advocate for middle schoolers, fostering a culture of dignity, curiosity, and growth.
Implement structures and systems that support student social-emotional learning and academic progress, including identity development, advisory, and community meetings.
Oversee and participate (minimum two trips/year) in Field Studies, ensuring experiences promote independence, empathy, environmental awareness, and curricular integration.
Facilitate the design of programs and partnerships that allow students to practice stewardship and civic responsibility.
Collaborate with the Director of Student Support and team to provide counsel and connect the middle school community to resources that meet a broad spectrum of students and their academic, emotional, and developmental needs.
Teach one class each year.

Faculty Supervision and Professional Growth

Support and evaluate middle school faculty through coaching, supervision, and professional learning that emphasizes inquiry, authentic assessment, innovation and collegial collaboration.
Hire, on-board, and mentor new middle school faculty in alignment with Sequoyah’s professional growth framework.

Family and Community Partnership

Communicate regularly and transparently with parents/guardians about student progress, adolescent development, and school initiatives.
Partner with families to support students’ transitions into and out of the middle school years.
Collaborate with the Admissions and Advancement teams to share the story of Sequoyah’s middle school program with prospective and current families.

Operational and Strategic Leadership

Oversee daily operations of middle school, including scheduling, supervision, community events, and student life programming.
Partner with the Assistant Head of School/K–8 Director on long-term planning, resource allocation, and program sustainability.
Contribute to K–12 strategic initiatives connected to “Learning that Matters” and “Educators that Thrive”, advancing Sequoyah’s vision for progressive, inclusive education.

Qualifications

We are seeking candidates who:

Master’s degree or higher in education or a related field.
At least 7 years of experience in teaching
Substantial administrative/leadership experience, with ample time spent in middle school or K–8 settings.
Experience leading and/or visioning for programmatic growth or change.
Deep demonstrated understanding of adolescent development and middle school pedagogy.
Commitment to progressive ed, DEIJ principles, and experiential learning.
Strong communication and organizational skills; ability to build trust across students, faculty, and families.
Collaborative, reflective, and adaptable leadership style.

Additional Information

Personal Attributes

Deep respect for young adolescents as thinkers and community members.
Joyful presence and steady temperament.
Understanding of systems, culture and change management, and building trust in the community for administrative decisions.
Creative problem solver who sees complexity as opportunity.
Reflective leader grounded in Sequoyah’s mission to challenge the mind, nurture the heart, and celebrate human dignity.
Passion for field-based, interdisciplinary learning and a belief in the transformative power of community.

Diversity is a founding value of Sequoyah School, and we seek candidates willing and interested in upholding an equitable, inclusive environment. Sequoyah School is also an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any phase of employment. We consider applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, or any other legally protected status.

Hiring Term

2026-27 School Year

Reports To

Assistant Head of School and K-8 Director

Campus Location

K-8 campus

Salary Range

$105,000 to $130,000, depending on experience and education

Benefits

Sequoyah offers competitive salary and benefits.