Chief Academic Officer

**Chief Academic Officer**

Alberta Classical Academy is one of Alberta's newest public charter schools. It offers an academically rigorous liberal arts education focused on developing “the knowledge, virtues, and habits befitting free citizens.” Among the school's distinct features are its embrace of traditional pedagogy and teacher-led classrooms; a knowledge-rich curriculum centred on classical and enduring works of literature, philosophy, and art; a focus on character and the nurturing of virtues; a culture of friendship and leisure (schole); and an explicit commitment to the pursuit of truth, beauty, and wisdom. Opening its first campus in September 2022 with 294 students at the Bridgeland School in Calgary, Alberta Classical Academy is currently serving 1280 students on three campuses, two in Calgary (K-9) and one in Edmonton (K-8). Growth plans will see ACA accommodate 1600 students in 2025-2026 and growth to over 2000 students in grades K to 12 for the 2027-2028 school year.

**The Opportunity**

Reporting to the Deputy Superintendent, the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) is an integral member of the senior executive team. The CAO is chiefly responsible for overseeing the implementation of ACA's classical academic model across the district to ensure student success. Core responsibilities include: professional development, classical curriculum implementation and related academic services, the recruitment and training of classical faculty, research and innovation, as well as assisting in the areas of administrative procedure development, strategic planning and reporting, facility research and development, and various other aspects of the

growth and development of the Charter and our schools, in collaboration with the Executive team. Position functions and responsibilities are listed below.

**Qualifications**
- Master's degree in Education or a related field;
- Experience in educational leadership;
- Experience teaching in the field of K to 12 classical, liberal arts education;
- Excellent problem-solving skills;
- Excellent organization skills and analytical skills, with a record of completing a variety of significant projects on schedule;
- Ability to think strategically;
- Ability to work collaboratively with a variety of groups and teams;
- Ability to work independently, taking a proactive approach;
- High degree of intellectual curiosity;
- Sound philosophical instincts and heuristic principles, with a well developed sense of

intellectual, moral, and aesthetic discernment;
- The ability to communicate clearly and persuasively;
- Intellectual seriousness and depth, and a commitment to learning for its own sake;
- Well-developed interpersonal skills to work collaboratively with faculty, administrators, and other stakeholders
- A solid understanding of the classical liberal arts tradition, and of the ends it is meant to achieve;
- A love of wisdom and a passion for truth.

**Salary and Starting Date**
Salary will be negotiated based upon experience, ranging from $120,000 to $140,000 CAD per annum. The ideal starting date will be** July 1, 2025**.

**Applications**
- A letter of introduction indicating your interest in the position
- A current CV
- A 500 to 750-word short essay answering **ONE**of the following questions:
**Option**1**: What are the essential elements one should consider in designing teacher professional development as it relates to classical education?
**Option**2**: Describe an author, philosopher, or a book that has shaped your philosophical understanding of and approach to educational leadership in classical education.

**Position Functions and Responsibilities**
- _ Leadership of Professional Learning _and_ Development:_
- In consultation with the Superintendent's Office and Chief Development Officer provide leadership in the creation and implementation of a comprehensive, district-level, classical professional development and teacher training programme;
- Support campus leadership in the development and implementation of campus-based professional development plans;
- Support in building an understanding of classical education and school expectations within the parent community;
- Provide support in classical pedagogical coaching and classroom observations.
- _Implementation_ of Classical Curriculum_: _Provide district level leadership in academic services related to the implementation of the Alberta Classical Academy K-12 Curriculum, including:

- Provide consultation on the development of ACA's classical curriculum;
- Ensure consistent implementation of, and adherence to, ACA's classical curriculum, the ACA Charter, and the Alberta Programs of Study;
- Oversee academic services related to curriculum implementation (e.g. instructional improvement, curriculum and instruction, inclusion practices, classroom assessment and student achievement);
- Monitor the progress of district and school performance indicators related to curriculum implementation and student learning (e.g. student