Middle School Director of Student Life

St. Thomas School • Medina, WA

19d • $95,000 - $115,000

About The Position

The Middle School Director of Student Life leads middle school student programming, engagement, and conduct at St. Thomas School (STS). Reporting to the Director of the Middle School and working in close partnership with faculty, this role helps foster a culture where students feel known, supported, and challenged to grow. The director plays a key role in developing student leadership, strengthening family partnerships, and ensuring consistent, developmentally appropriate behavioral practices. This position is essential to sustaining a safe, inclusive, and connected middle school community.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in education, educational leadership, or a related field
• 3+ years of classroom teaching experience, preferably at the middle school level.
• Deep understanding of adolescent development and best practices in student support, behavior, and social-emotional learning.
• Demonstrated ability to build positive, trusting relationships with middle school students and to partner effectively with families and colleagues.
• Proven success in designing and leading student-centered programming, such as leadership development, advisory, community engagement, or student voice initiatives.
• Experience supporting or overseeing student conduct systems, including restorative or relationship-based discipline practices.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to navigate sensitive student and family situations with professionalism, clarity, and care.
• Highly organized, with demonstrated project management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities across a dynamic school year.
• Ability to actively supervise students both indoors and outdoors, in varying weather conditions.
• Readiness to obtain First Aid/CPR certification and maintain throughout employment.
• Successful completion of required background checks in accordance with school policy and state regulations.
• Demonstrated cultural competency and ability to work with diverse individuals and groups.
• Strong classroom management, communication, and interpersonal skills with a collaborative, flexible, and growth-oriented mindset.
• Sound professional judgment and the ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Proficiency with basic technology tools and a willingness to learn school-specific systems.
• Commitment to the mission, values, and community of STS.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience in independent schools or other mission-driven educational environments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Leads the development of a positive, inclusive middle school culture where students feel known, valued, challenged, and supported.
• Designs and oversees student-centered programming, including assemblies, activities, clubs, and leadership opportunities that strengthen engagement and belonging.
• Develops and sustains meaningful structures for student leadership and authentic student voices across the middle school.
• Partners with the Director of the Middle School to plan and implement key annual processes such as orientation, transition programming, locker assignments, school photographs, and graduation.
• Collaborates with school leaders to design cross-grade experiences that strengthen community across divisions.
• Facilitates the work of the advisory committee and contributes to the design and implementation of advisory curriculum and programming.
• Manages student conduct with a relationship-based approach that centers on safety, accountability, reflection, and growth, in partnership with the Director of the Middle School.
• Monitors patterns in student behavior and collaborates with faculty and counselors to implement proactive, developmentally appropriate interventions.
• Ensures clear, consistent communication of behavioral expectations with students, faculty, and families.
• Oversees key aspects of the daily student experience, such as arrival, dismissal, transitions, breaks, and shared spaces, to ensure safety, structure, and a sense of belonging.
• Develops and coordinates parent education programs and serves as a key point of contact with families regarding student life, well-being, and conduct.
• Actively engages in the life of the school and contributes to community-wide events and programs.
• Upholds and models the mission, values, and strategic priorities of STS.
• Demonstrates respect for diverse perspectives and a commitment to equity and inclusion.
• Communicates effectively and professionally with students, families, and colleagues.
• Collaborates across departments and participates in grade level and division meetings to support a cohesive preschool through eighth grade experience.
• Maintains confidentiality and handles sensitive information with discretion.
• Adheres to school policies and procedures and performs other duties as assigned by the Director of the Middle School.

Benefits

• Employer-paid premiums for employee medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance.
• Employer contributions to retirement and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).
• Competitive paid time off and holidays.
• Robust professional development opportunities.
• Lunches provided at no cost to faculty and staff when school or summer camp is in session.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director