James Madison University
Assistant Director for the JMU Lab School in the College of Education
🇺🇸 Harrisonburg, VA
🕑 Full-Time
💰 TBD
💻 Operations
🗓️ August 8th, 2025
Edtech.com's Summary
James Madison University is hiring an Assistant Director for the JMU Lab School in the College of Education. The role involves providing educational leadership to support the LAB School's interdisciplinary, project-based curriculum, assisting the Executive Director in program implementation, staff support, community engagement, and school improvement initiatives.
Highlights
- Observe and support classroom instruction and teaching practices.
- Implement and align curriculum and educational goals with school objectives.
- Manage evaluation systems for student progress and program effectiveness.
- Guide teachers in instructional strategies and classroom management.
- Collaborate to improve instructional methods and student outcomes.
- Lead professional development and promote school improvement.
- Foster communication with families and build community partnerships.
- Maintain a safe and respectful environment while enforcing policies.
- Minimum master’s degree in educational leadership or related field required.
- Preferred professional Virginia educator’s license with Administration/Supervision endorsement and leadership experience in P-12 settings.
Assistant Director for the JMU Lab School in the College of Education Full Description
Working Title:Assistant Director for the JMU Lab School in the College of Education
State Role Title: Administrative and Professional Faculty
Position Type: Administrative & Professional (Non-teaching Faculty)
Position Status: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime
College/Division: College of Education
Department:400339 - College Lab School Startup
Pay Rate: Commensurate with Experience
Specify Range or Amount:
Is this a JMU only position? No
Is this a grant-funded position? No
Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No
Beginning Review Date: 08/29/2025
About JMU:
Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.
Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.
Who We Are
Located in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. With a population of just over 53,000, Harrisonburg is one of the most diverse communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 20,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.
JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. The university is committed to expanding diversity, fostering equity and inclusion, and supporting superlative teaching and scholarship. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.
Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.
Who We Are
Located in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. With a population of just over 53,000, Harrisonburg is one of the most diverse communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 20,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.
JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. The university is committed to expanding diversity, fostering equity and inclusion, and supporting superlative teaching and scholarship. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.
General Information:
The JMU LAB School is seeking applications for an Assistant Director to assist the Executive Director in all aspects of the total LAB School program for JMU/Rockingham County Public Schools (RCPS) by providing educational leadership for students and staff consistent with initiative goals. JMU LAB School is committed to providing a research based interdisciplinary curriculum approach to learning for students at the secondary level with a focus on project-based and place-based learning.
Duties and Responsibilities:
● Observe and support classroom instruction and teaching practices in assigned areas.
● Help implement curriculum and educational goals aligned with school objectives.
● Create and manage systems to evaluate student progress and program effectiveness, recommending changes when needed.
● Guide teachers on instructional strategies, classroom management, and student behavior.
● Collaborate with staff to review and improve instructional methods and student outcomes.
● Support teachers and the Community Engagement Liaison with place based experiences and the use of local resources.
● Lead and support professional development and school improvement initiatives.
● Promote effective communication through meetings, committees, and one-on-one discussions.
● Foster a safe, respectful, and disciplined environment for students and staff.
● Enforce school and district policies in line with JMU, RCPS, and state education regulations.
● Support the Executive Director with staff hiring and personnel procedures.
● Plan and participate in staff training and development programs.
● Collaborate with the Executive Director and Community Engagement Liaison to build strong school-community partnerships:
○ Communicate with families through programs, letters, phone calls, and in-person meetings.
○ Encourage strong relationships between students, staff, families, and the wider community.
○ Work together with others to find resources and support for a diverse student population.
● Model professionalism, ethics, and integrity in all interactions.
● Work cooperatively with administrators, staff, and community members to support the LAB School’s mission and goals.
● Attend and contribute to meetings with families and community groups.
● Build positive relationships with students, staff, and community members.
● Use data to inform decisions and improve practices.
● Identify and resolve problems effectively using strong decision-making skills.
● Maintain appropriate and respectful boundaries with students and serve as a positive role model.
● Demonstrate professional behavior and communication.
● Take on responsibilities outside the classroom as needed to support school functions.
● Always practice and promote equity and inclusion.
● Perform other related duties as assigned by the Executive Director, following school and district policies.
● Help implement curriculum and educational goals aligned with school objectives.
● Create and manage systems to evaluate student progress and program effectiveness, recommending changes when needed.
● Guide teachers on instructional strategies, classroom management, and student behavior.
● Collaborate with staff to review and improve instructional methods and student outcomes.
● Support teachers and the Community Engagement Liaison with place based experiences and the use of local resources.
● Lead and support professional development and school improvement initiatives.
● Promote effective communication through meetings, committees, and one-on-one discussions.
● Foster a safe, respectful, and disciplined environment for students and staff.
● Enforce school and district policies in line with JMU, RCPS, and state education regulations.
● Support the Executive Director with staff hiring and personnel procedures.
● Plan and participate in staff training and development programs.
● Collaborate with the Executive Director and Community Engagement Liaison to build strong school-community partnerships:
○ Communicate with families through programs, letters, phone calls, and in-person meetings.
○ Encourage strong relationships between students, staff, families, and the wider community.
○ Work together with others to find resources and support for a diverse student population.
● Model professionalism, ethics, and integrity in all interactions.
● Work cooperatively with administrators, staff, and community members to support the LAB School’s mission and goals.
● Attend and contribute to meetings with families and community groups.
● Build positive relationships with students, staff, and community members.
● Use data to inform decisions and improve practices.
● Identify and resolve problems effectively using strong decision-making skills.
● Maintain appropriate and respectful boundaries with students and serve as a positive role model.
● Demonstrate professional behavior and communication.
● Take on responsibilities outside the classroom as needed to support school functions.
● Always practice and promote equity and inclusion.
● Perform other related duties as assigned by the Executive Director, following school and district policies.
Qualifications:
● Strong understanding of elementary/secondary education and special education practices.
● Knowledge of effective teaching methods and school leadership strategies.
● Ability to maintain high behavior standards and positive school culture.
● Skilled in delivering clear and engaging oral and written communication.
● Able to build positive, effective working relationships with students, staff, families, and the community.
● Minimum of master’s degree in educational leadership or related field.
● Professional Virginia educator’s license with endorsement in Administration/Supervision (preferred).
● Demonstrated record of significant leadership and teaching experience, preferably in the P-12 setting.
● Demonstrated knowledge/experience in working with higher education partners.
● Demonstrated commitment to improving school quality and teacher effectiveness.
● Knowledge of effective teaching methods and school leadership strategies.
● Ability to maintain high behavior standards and positive school culture.
● Skilled in delivering clear and engaging oral and written communication.
● Able to build positive, effective working relationships with students, staff, families, and the community.
● Minimum of master’s degree in educational leadership or related field.
● Professional Virginia educator’s license with endorsement in Administration/Supervision (preferred).
● Demonstrated record of significant leadership and teaching experience, preferably in the P-12 setting.
● Demonstrated knowledge/experience in working with higher education partners.
● Demonstrated commitment to improving school quality and teacher effectiveness.
Additional Posting Information:
JMU’s Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for candidates that will be relocating to the area. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/2OTF1NG.
Conditions of Employment:
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.
E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.
E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.
EEO Statement:
James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.
We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.
Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.
We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.
Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.
Reasonable Accommodation:
If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.
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