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http://www.blueoakschool.org | Blue Oak School
Napa, California
has appointed
Hal G. Hensler
as
Head of School | Hal Hensler served as Interim Head of School of Blue Oak School following three years as Head of the Middle School. Prior postings include Middle School Principal, Department Head and teacher at such institutions as Rolling Hills Country Day School, Harbor Day School, and Laguna Beach High School. Mr. Hensler holds a Master of Science degree from Pepperdine University as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry and Biology from Chapman University.
The Organization
Blue Oak School (BOS) is a coeducational, independent day school enrolling approximately 180 students in Kindergarten through eighth grade. Located in a residential area near downtown Napa, at the base of Napa Valley in the heart of Northern California’s scenic wine country, the school offers a progressive educational program that takes into account students’ unique needs while fostering their development as respectful, self-sufficient, intellectually curious, and socially conscious lifelong learners. Blue Oak School provides an engaging, supportive and diverse environment in which learning is an active, joyful process of discovery and children are encouraged to explore ideas and takes calculated risks as they share in the responsibility for their personal and academic growth and development.
Blue Oak was founded in 2000 by several families who had an interest in establishing a community-oriented, innovative, independent elementary school for the children of Napa and the surrounding communities. Relying initially on funds generously donated by the founders, a Head of School was hired, the Lower School building was purchased and renovated, and the doors were opened to children in Kindergarten through fourth grade in the fall of 2002. Growth and expansion during the years that followed led to the opening of the Middle School in September 2005, which provided a vehicle for the continuation of educational programming to currently-enrolled students as well as an opportunity to attract new families to BOS.
The school occupies two campuses situated only minutes apart. The Lower School, which includes Kindergarten through fifth grade, is housed in a beautifully renovated historic school building, while the Middle School campus was added several years after the school’s founding and serves children in grades six through eight. Both campuses have been planned with particular attention to “green” design elements, including an innovative geothermal HVAC system as well as carpeting and other components made of recycled materials – a decision that not only demonstrates the school’s commitment to sustainability but also reinforces Blue Oak’s emphasis on environmental education.
Guided by the principles of progressive education, Blue Oak offers a broad liberal arts curriculum in which learning is experientially-based, child-centered, and process-oriented. In addition, strong emphasis is placed on maintaining a diverse student body, which allows students to learn from and respect each other while being actively engaged in community building, both within the school and in the greater Napa community. The school’s mission statement captures this spirit:
Blue Oak School offers a challenging and stimulating education to children of diverse backgrounds and interest. Balancing structure with choice and the requirements of the group with the gifts of the individual, the School holds itself to the highest standards of responsible educational innovation, so that students develop the skills and habits of learning that endure.
Through the culture and community of the School, teachers nurture the development of character and foster confidence, creativity, flexibility, and curiosity in each child. Students in turn encourage each other to learn. Relationships among freedom, responsibility, community and environment are explored through studies that engage students as stewards in service to the School, the region and the world.
In support of its general philosophy, the Blue Oak curriculum was carefully designed by the faculty and is based on the following tenets:
- Children learn by doing.
- The curriculum is child-centered and developmentally appropriate.
- The curriculum builds from a foundation.
- The curriculum stresses understanding rather than memorization.
- The process of learning is emphasized.
- The curriculum is integrated.
- Inquiry is at the heart of the curriculum.
The Lower School program of study takes into account the developmental needs of the children, a practice that is reflective of a broad focus on the learning process rather than strict factual memorization. Core subject areas offered by the Lower School include literacy, mathematics, history and social studies, sciences, Spanish, music, technology, arts, and physical education and health. Hands-on experiences promote creativity and curiosity, and students are encouraged to assist with the design of their own projects. Blue Oak teachers forego grades and standardized testing in favor of comprehensive narrative reports that describe the child’s interests, strengths and weaknesses, social development, and learning styles as they move through academic experiences that provide a vehicle for learning content through inquiry and problem solving. The resulting environment is one in which children are motivated, interested, and actively engaged, and thus become lifelong learners.
Building on the experience of the earlier grades, the Middle School focuses its attention on meeting the needs of pre-adolescent and adolescent students. While the curriculum covers fundamental subjects in greater depth, it also includes Advisory and Life Skills classes, which serve to address the social and emotional development of students in grades six through eight. Special attention is given to the gradual transition from Lower to Middle School, and a challenging yet supportive environment encourages students to take greater control of their learning, to develop abstract thinking skills, to establish academic consistency, and to refine their competencies in the areas of written and oral expression.
Teachers are highly respected at Blue Oak, and professional development opportunities are not only available but also encouraged throughout the year. This summer, faculty members will participate in the Schools Attuned week-long institute. This unique training program provides educators with information about brain functions and cognitive development and enables teachers to recognize students’ strengths and weaknesses and, accordingly, to develop appropriate teaching and learning strategies to maximize success in the classroom.
Blue Oak School is governed by a 13-member Board of Trustees that is dedicated to the mission of the school and looks toward the future with excitement and anticipation. In addition, an Advisory Board comprised of nine city leaders was recently established to help the school continue to nurture and cultivate relationships with various individuals and organizations within Napa and the surrounding communities. The school operates on an annual budget of $4 million with an endowment of a little over $2 million and an annual fund currently generating approximately $175,000.
The Future of Blue Oak School
Blue Oak is at a significant point in its organizational life. Following a successful launch eight years ago, the school is now at a stage of development characterized by the need for more structured systems and processes, the building of financial resources, and the continual refinement of excellence in academic programs. During 2008, BOS began a strategic planning process and identified several key areas on which to focus its attention in the coming years:
Program – Continue to build curriculum continuity from grade to grade.
Faculty – Examine issues regarding recruitment, retention, and competitive compensation.
Financial Sustainability – Develop a multi-year fundraising strategy to build endowment, increase the annual fund, and reduce dependence on auction- derived income.
Communication – Strengthen communication among all constituencies, both within the school and in the greater Napa community.
Plan for Growth – Articulate Blue Oak’s plan for growth, including the composition of the student body and the need for facility expansion.
Governance – Ensure the existence of a strategic partnership between the Head and the Board, with clearly defined boundaries of responsibilities.
Scott Duyan, the founding Head of School, has announced that he will leave Blue Oak in June 2009 and will become Head of Presidio Hill School in San Francisco. Accordingly, the Board has launched a nationwide search for his successor to lead the school as it transitions from its entrepreneurial phase to a stage during which Blue Oak will strengthen organizationally and mature institutionally. Hal Hensler, formerly Head of Middle School, will serve as Interim Head of School for the 2009-2010 academic year.
Responsibilities
Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the Head of School will be responsible for sustaining and enhancing the mission of the school and its philosophy of progressive education as Blue Oak School gains institutional strength and maturity. Specific duties include the following:
- Working closely with the Board of Trustees and other key constituents on determining and executing the strategic direction of the school.
- Envisioning, planning, and leading the school as it emerges from its start-up phase and continues to become a self-sustaining educational institution.
- Expanding community outreach and persuasively communicating the value of a Blue Oak education to external constituencies in the Napa Valley region to increase the school’s profile, build admissions, and strengthen the financial health of the school.
- Enhancing relationships and the lines of communication among parents, faculty, staff, and the Board of Trustees, and ensuring that responsibilities are delineated and accountabilities are clearly defined.
- Serving as an accessible, approachable presence on both campuses, in keeping with the school’s culture of openness and transparency.
- Leading the Development Office, the Board of Trustees, and other volunteers in creating and implementing aggressive fundraising plans to increase endowment and annual giving.
- Strengthening curriculum continuity between and among grades while maintaining a sound foundation in progressive education.
- Building upon the school’s commitment to social, economic, racial, and ethnic diversity among students, faculty, and staff.
- Identifying, recruiting, and retaining exceptional faculty and staff who understand and endorse the school’s mission and philosophy.
- Managing the business and financial aspects of the school, in conjunction with the Business Office, to assure that it remains fiscally sound.
Candidate Qualities
Leadership
A person who leads by active and visible involvement in the total life of the school and whose strong work ethic generates a culture of commitment among faculty, staff, and volunteers.
A dynamic and inspirational individual whose enthusiasm for the school, its mission, and progressive education in general is readily conveyed to various audiences in the greater Napa community.
A team builder who creates institutional loyalty, articulates a clear vision for the school, and motivates the community to achieve its goals.
One who empowers others and leads through process instead of mandate and through collaboration rather than imperative.
A leader who elicits and values input from a variety of sources yet is comfortable making difficult decisions.
An individual whose excitement about Blue Oak creates a strong sense of community by inspiring others to volunteer on its behalf and become actively involved in its daily life.
One who is accessible and approachable, dealing with all constituencies in an open and straightforward manner that engenders a sense of respect, trust, and credibility.
Experience
Ideally, 10 years of experience in teaching and administrative leadership roles in independent schools.
Background dealing with a committed and involved Board of Trustees and the governance issues associated with operating an independent school.
A career history that demonstrates leading and managing an organization through change.
Experience with strategic planning, fiscal management, institutional advancement, and establishing and refining policies and programs.
A track record of success in attracting, hiring, managing, and retaining a highly-qualified team of administrators and faculty.
Skills and Knowledge
Exceptional communication skills, with an ability to convey ideas and concepts to a wide range of constituents.
Familiarity with and commitment to the principles of progressive education.
One who speaks in a compelling manner to both internal and external constituencies on behalf of the institution, thereby generating excitement about the school and its mission.
The ability to manage the daily operations of a school through effective delegation of authority while retaining ultimate accountability.
Skilled in establishing administrative systems and procedures and delineating areas of responsibility among staff, faculty, and the Board of Trustees.
Ability to move comfortably among people at a variety of socioeconomic levels and to forge solid personal relationships with major donors, prospective donors, and volunteers.
A knowledge of best practices with regard to both educational programming and business and financial management.
Expertise in recruiting, mentoring, and retaining gifted teachers and staff.
An understanding of fundraising strategies and an interest in working with staff, the Board of Trustees, and volunteers to develop and implement creative plans for growing financial support for the school.
Personal Attributes
A person of unquestioned honesty and integrity who serves as a role model for the entire school community.
A collaborative individual who is open to diverse ideas and perspectives yet is sufficiently decisive to ensure that the school’s strategic objectives will be accomplished.
One who demonstrates a sincere interest in environmental issues and a commitment to cultivating this value in others.
A creative individual who is excited by innovation and imagines untried opportunities that challenge conventional wisdom.
An open, empathetic person who listens and responds to others’ concerns, possesses courage of conviction when confronted with difficult situations, and takes appropriate action.
An educator who is genuinely vested in the academic, personal, and social development of young people.
An outgoing individual who will establish a strong presence not only among Blue Oak constituencies but also in the larger Napa community.
A person who displays a keen interest in global and multicultural education with a demonstrated respect for people from a variety of backgrounds.
A lifelong learner who continually models inquiry, discovery, and growth.
Self-confident, unpretentious, warm, and engaging. Other Considerations
Compensation: Competitive among comparable schools in the region.
Travel: Minimal.
Education: Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree strongly preferred.
Candidates May Now Be:
- A head of school in a similar institution.
- An assistant or associate head of school with responsibilities comparable to those required of this position.
- A division head with a clearly demonstrated track record of building an organization and assuming greater responsibilities over time.
| | Updated: Jul 23, 2010 |
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