Head of Lower School - Trinity Episcopal School, New Orleans

IndySchool Consultancy has been retained by the school to lead this search.

Trinity Episcopal School in New Orleans, Louisiana, seeks a thoughtful, student-centered educator to serve as its next Head of Lower School. This is an opportunity to lead a close-knit, thriving elementary division of Grades One through Four within a beloved Episcopal school in the city's historic Garden District.

About Trinity Episcopal School

Founded in 1960, Trinity Episcopal School is an independent, coeducational Episcopal school in New Orleans' Garden District serving approximately 500 students from 12 months through eighth grade. Its mission is to build confident, resilient upstanders on a foundation of academic excellence, moral responsibility, and faith who are prepared to make a positive difference in the world.

Trinity's roots reach back to 1917, when Edith Aiken founded The Little School for Little Children on a child-centered philosophy of acceptance, creativity, and academic growth. That legacy endures today. Teachers pair research-informed practice with individualized instruction in an intentionally small community where every child is known, supported, and challenged.

Character formation is central to a Trinity education. Guided by the values of being Gentle, Generous, Truthful, Kind, and Brave, students learn to stand up for others and lead through service. Daily Chapel for Grades One through Eight anchors the school's inclusive Episcopal identity, which welcomes families of all faiths and backgrounds. Because Trinity ends in eighth grade, its oldest students lead and mentor younger children, an approach the school calls the Eighth Grade Advantage.

The Position

The Head of Lower School provides educational and administrative leadership for Grades One through Four, beginning July 2027. This twelve-month position reports directly to Head of School the Reverend E. Gary Taylor and serves on the School's Leadership Team.

• Students: approximately 173
• Classrooms: 9
• Faculty: 25 full- and part-time members

Trinity's Lower School gives students a strong foundation in language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies through active participation, small-group instruction, and attention to each child's strengths. Mistakes are treated as chances to learn, and social-emotional growth is woven through every day. The next Head will work with faculty and school leadership to strengthen curriculum, support each child's intellectual and developmental progress, build meaningful relationships with families, and advance Trinity's mission of developing confident, resilient upstanders.

Opportunities and Responsibilities

Student leadership and development

• Oversee students' academic, social, and developmental progress in partnership with faculty.
• Monitor student progress data and standardized testing results, and support students who need additional academic or social intervention.
• Participate in admissions decisions, classroom placements, scheduling, and student discipline.

Faculty leadership and development

• Supervise, mentor, observe, and evaluate Lower School faculty, providing constructive feedback.
• Lead divisional and grade-level meetings that strengthen collaboration and professional growth.
• Participate in faculty recruitment, hiring, assignments, and reappointment decisions.

Curriculum and academic programs

• Collaborate with the Head of School and fellow Division Heads on curriculum development.
• Oversee curriculum implementation and instructional resources, staying current with educational research and best practice.

Family and community engagement

• Build trusting relationships with current and prospective families and communicate consistently about student learning and well-being.
• Lead parent education and represent the Lower School at admissions events and parent gatherings.

School administration

• Serve on the School's Leadership Team and designated committees.
• Coordinate divisional safety procedures and documentation.
• Partner with the Head of School and Chief Financial Officer on divisional budgeting and resources.

Qualities and Qualifications

Trinity seeks a mature, compassionate leader with significant independent school experience and a deep understanding of how elementary-aged children learn and grow.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Education (required); Early Childhood certification preferred.
• At least five years of experience in related educational areas.
• Significant independent school leadership experience.
• Willingness to obtain and maintain CPR and First Aid certification.

Qualities

• Strong understanding of elementary education, child development, and curriculum implementation.
• The ability to guide faculty toward instructional excellence and continuous improvement.
• The maturity, confidence, and judgment to support students, faculty, and parents.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with ease in leading meetings, presenting, and representing the school.
• Strong organization, sound decision-making, and strict confidentiality.
• Compassion and sensitivity in fostering a safe, inclusive, and nurturing learning environment.
• Commitment to Trinity's Episcopal identity, mission, and values, and to ongoing professional growth.

To Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following materials to Davina Spillmann, IndySchool Consultancy, through the application link:

1. Cover letter
2. Resume or CV
3. Statement of educational leadership
4. List of five professional references

Start date: July 2027

Questions and inquiries may be directed to Davina Spillmann at davina@indyschoolconsultancy.com. All inquiries will be held in confidence.

The full Opportunity Statement offers more on the school, the role, and life in New Orleans.

Trinity Episcopal School welcomes candidates of all faiths and backgrounds and is committed to a diverse, inclusive community where every person is known and valued.