Head of Lower School (K-5th)

Position Statement

for

Head of Lower School (K-5)

The Winston School

Dallas, Texas

Start Date: July 1, 2026

The Winston School is a small, college preparatory, independent school designed to serve bright students who learn differently. While challenging its students, Winston provides a caring and warm environment that not only supports its students and their families, but also celebrates students’ individuality, creativity, and unique passions. The student-centered program aspires to meet the academic needs of students through differentiated instruction, targeted interventions, and classroom-based accommodations. As a leader in the education of neurodivergent students for fifty years, The Winston School nurtures the whole child and empowers our students to be confident, well-rounded, students who skillfully advocate for themselves and develop passions that will carry them into college and beyond.

Winston is located in the beautiful Preston Hollow neighborhood in north Dallas, Texas. The school is easily accessible from all parts of the greater Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area. Walking through the hallways is a joy as student artwork and projects are celebrated, and the energy among students highlights the creativity, innovation, and possibility of realizing one’s full potential. Winston meets our students where they are, and goes to great lengths to understand, value, care for, and nurture not only the learner, but their family as well. Many students find their place at Winston and find a community in which they feel accepted, safe, and seen. Dedicated and highly-skilled faculty help students to find their path, not only in the curriculum, but in their connections to others, and their understanding of themselves. At Winston, learning differently is an asset - not something to be fixed.

PROGRAM and COMMUNITY

Winston emphasizes a curriculum built upon the foundational core subjects and builds upon that with a dynamic fine and performing arts program and a vibrant physical education and athletics schedule. We are a K-12 school, with three distinct divisions: Lower School (K-5), Middle School (6-8), and Upper School (9-12). In the Upper School, Winston provides an extensive college counseling program and works thoughtfully with each student and their family to find a college or post-graduate program that best aligns with a student’s passions, learning profile and future goals.

NOTEABLE STRENGTHS

• Bright and creative students
• Exceptional family engagement and community support
• Exemplary arts program
• Dynamic athletics opportunities
• Asset-based leadership, teaching, and learning
• Warm, welcoming community climate
• Student-centered with a growth mindset approach to learning and teaching
• Opportunities for professional learning and growth

STRENGTHS, CHALLENGES, and OPPORTUNITIES

Winston in 2025 is a school with many enduring strengths - among them a compelling mission, an enviable history, and a reputation for excellence in graduate placement, success in the arts, and establishment of an inclusive and welcoming community.

Winston faces many of the challenges common to high-performing, small, independent schools today - sustaining growth and continuous programmatic improvement that is responsive to the changing needs of the greater society; differentiating and articulating the value proposition in an increasingly diverse market in learning different education; maintaining effective structures to support an active and engaged student body while balancing the need for academic, social, and other learning support; and building a strong foundation to ensure a sustainable future.

LOWER SCHOOL LEADERSHIP

The new Head of Lower School at Winston must be an inspiring and dynamic leader who has the ability to think strategically and weave together research-based practices in learning different education, alongside building a dynamic, inclusive, and collaborative culture in the lower school division. The energy and optimism to demonstrate heartfelt joy in the leadership of this remarkable community and its community are vital. The next Head of Lower School at Winston must actively participate in the daily oversight and guidance of the division, be an active and contributing member of the leadership team, and be an expert in learning different education in the lower grade (Kindergarten through grade 5).

Communication

The next Head of Lower School must possess the ability to convey passion and direction to not only faculty and staff, but parents, families and our greater Dallas community. The lower school faculty appreciate a curriculum leader who not only shares their passion for learning in the early years, but the expertise and confidence in working with learning different students and their families. A broad and inclusive understanding of meeting the needs of neurodivergent learners in a classroom with accommodations, interventions, and other learning and teaching strategies is essential.

Enrollment and Retention

Like most independent schools, Winston is working to ensure that all students admitted are receiving the most exceptional educational experience possible. A developmentally-responsive, age-appropriate, well-designed, and differentiated curriculum are essential building blocks for success of each student at Winston, and preparing, supporting, and building an academic program and faculty culture that supports these outcomes is essential for our next division head. Our next lower school leader will be a decisive leader in parent communication, partnership, and articulating the value proposition of The Winston School.

Organizational Health

With a relatively new leadership team, the new Head of Lower School, will be a dynamic, enthusiastic, and driven leader who works collaboratively, diligently, and with an eagerness that values “personal best” for adults, as well as students. The new leader must inspire and build a culture of mutual respect, inclusion, resilience, and intellectual curiosity to carry the division and its purpose. A clear communication style, courageous disposition, and openness to change are all essential characteristics of our next division head.

In addition to their leadership skills, our next Head of Lower School should have expertise and demonstrated success working with learning different students and leading in curriculum development, instructional planning, assessment and differentiation. Developing a rigorous and creative scope and sequence in the lower school program will be a top priority for the ideal candidate.

Professional qualifications include:

• Advanced degree (required)
• Proven teaching and leadership experience
• Deep knowledge and understanding of curriculum development and teaching pedagogy for young children, specifically with neurodivergent learners
• Ability to attract/recruit, supervise, and retain talented faculty committed to the mission, vision, and core values of Trinity School
• Ability to think strategically and plan and prioritize effectively, including managing

several complex projects simultaneously to meet deadlines.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Background and experience in providing a challenging learning environment for a

student body with a range of abilities, including academically gifted students

• Ability to challenge and motivate the school community to strive for excellence
• Confident leadership style that trusts others with responsibility and gives them the

authority and support they need

• Collaborative approach to leadership
• Commitment to building an inclusive and warm community
• Inspires creativity, intellectual curiosity, and excellence in teaching and learning
• Exceptional work ethic
• Collaborative, creative, and critical problem-solving skills

Personal qualities:

• Warmth and authenticity
• Visible, accessible and approachable
• Willingness to learn, lean into, and lead through change
• Emotional intelligence and personal resilience
• Community building skills
• Unquestioned integrity and humility
• Sense of humor
• Optimism, grit, and unwavering asset-based approach to working with children and families

APPLICATION PROCESS

To be considered for this exciting leadership opportunity, candidates must submit a cover letter detailing their interest in The Winston School and the position of Head of Lower School (K-5), a resume/CV, and a personal statement. Additionally, interested candidates should provide a list of at least five (5) complete references, all to the Head of School, Dr. Jenn Milam (jmilam@winston-school.org).

Applications will be reviewed upon receipt, with priority review beginning immediately. We will conduct initial interviews by ZOOM, and invite finalist candidates to campus in late February/early March 2026.

Applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply as The Winston School is dedicated to better reflecting our student body and the DFW area through this addition to our exceptional faculty and staff.  Information about our school can be found at https://www.winston-school.org/.