Houseparent (Male)

Houseparent (Male)

Houseparent advances Principia by caring for, loving, and meeting students' needs in loco parentis role. Reporting to the Assistant Director, Home Department, this role plays a critical part in ensuring students thrive spiritually, socially, morally, academically, and physically, and collaborates closely with parents, teachers, and administrators to gauge student progress and determine priorities for students and their needs.

Success in this role draws on performing the role of parents while boarding students are away from their own homes, providing the structure, atmosphere, and discipline of home, as well as a character educator. The founder of Principia School, Mary Kimball Morgan, defines character training as the "spiritualization of thought" (Education at The Principia, pg. 107). Houseparents guide and support the spiritual growth of the students. Maintains effective communication with students, parents, faculty, and administrators.

At our award-winning Early Childhood through grade 12 Principia School in St. Louis, Missouri, and top-ranked Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, Principia faculty and staff make up a close-knit community of educators, coaches, and professionals taking a distinct approach to education—blending academic excellence with Christian Science-based character education. Principia's team of over 500 employees supports not only Principia School and Principia College, but also a worldwide network of alumni and friends.

At Principia School, our core value is LOVE. Love and its attributes underpin our foundational beliefs as well as our educational approach. We focus on developing the whole child—intellectually, physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually, preparing students for the next steps in life. We foster a challenging yet supportive environment where character unfolds naturally, and talent is cultivated through boundless opportunities. Character education plays an essential role in every aspect of the student experience, and classroom work is augmented by character trips, leadership development, and real-world, hands-on, project-based learning.

Principia employees are part of an engaging academic community preparing students to be tomorrow's leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. We strive to create a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong and are valued.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and model Christian character while demonstrating an understanding of character education, discipline, and parenting
• Display a love for and relate well to middle and high school students
• Counsel boarding students to help them understand and overcome personal, social, or behavioral problems affecting their education
• Advise and assist students in navigating difficult situations at school and in the dorm
• Confer with parents or guardians, teachers, and administrators to discuss students' progress, help resolve behavioral, academic, and other problems, and determine priorities for students and their needs
• Act from a Principle-based, rather than a personality-based, standpoint
• Collaborate with the Home Department and the School's academic faculty and staff
• Listen actively and communicate respectfully and effectively with students, parents/guardians, colleagues, and administrators
• Communicates regularly with parents and families through phone calls, Zoom sessions, emails, technology, and publications
• Engage in professional learning experiences that support School progress
• Perform various duties:
• Support relevant Christian Science-based programming that inspires students to turn wholeheartedly to God for guidance and strength
• Attend chapels and other student-focused religious programs
• Participate actively in departmental meetings that are relevant to the home department's goals and objectives
• Provide leadership opportunities and activities for the boarding students
• Connect with and supervise students during meals in the dining room
• Promote inclusivity and understanding between boarding and day students
• Support cross-departmental initiatives that build meaningful relationships across the School community
• Chaperone School social activities on and off campus

Living Conditions:

An apartment is provided in the dormitory at no cost for the employee and his/her immediate family. Families are welcome in the dormitory; however, the employee must be free of primary care responsibilities for dependent children younger than 7th grade. When school is in session, meals are provided in the dining hall without charge.

Special Requirements:

It is expected that the Houseparent will be on duty every week that school is in session and on travel days when students are arriving and departing. Houseparents may be asked to support International Student travel days, which may have different schedules than those of domestic students. They are expected to be available one week prior to pre-season training and one week after graduation in order to attend meetings, participate in professional development training, or perform duties to prepare the dorm. Aron House will be closed during fall character trips but on-call presence may be needed for unplanned dorm coverage. Houseparents are also expected to work during the following school breaks: Fall break (4 days), Thanksgiving (3 days), and Martin Luther King Day.

Core Competencies:

Principia values the unique strengths each employee brings to their role. The following competencies are especially important for success at Principia:

• Continuous Learning & Expertise: Demonstrates mastery in your area of responsibility and seeks opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Accountability & Results Orientation: Manages time and priorities effectively, meets commitments, and consistently delivers high-quality outcomes.
• Problem Solving & Judgment: Approaches challenges thoughtfully, considers multiple perspectives, and makes sound, timely decisions that support institutional goals.
• Proactivity & Ownership: Takes initiative, anticipates needs, and drives projects forward with minimal supervision while taking responsibility for outcomes.
• Excellence & Attention to Detail: Produces accurate, polished, and high-quality work; continuously looks for ways to improve systems, processes, and results.
• Service Orientation: Builds positive, supportive relationships and responds promptly and professionally to the needs of students, colleagues, and other stakeholders.
• Collaboration & Collegiality: Works cooperatively across departments and teams; values input from others and contributes to a positive, respectful environment.
• Communication: Shares information clearly and concisely; listens carefully to others and adjusts communication style for different audiences and situations.
• Inclusion & Belonging: Demonstrates respect for all people; values diverse perspectives and fosters a culture of inclusion, belonging, and mutual respect.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Student of Christian Science; member of Christian Science Church and/or Organization, and completed Christian Science class instruction. If not currently a class-taught member of a Christian Science church, both are required within one year of the start date
• Supportive of Principia's guiding statements as articulated here
• Willingness to live on and supervise a boy's wing at Aron House; this position is limited to male candidates due to the nature of the residential assignment
• Willingness to turn readily to God for guidance
• Bachelor's degree required, preferably in education or a related field
• Experience working with teenagers through education, residential life, coaching, or similar settings
• Experience in building collaborative relationships that foster trust and respect
• Valid driver's license; Encouraged to obtain/retain a commercial driver's license and drive Principia School buses (Principia provides training); driving records must be in good standing
• Ability to successfully complete an extensive background check process
• Required to obtain a CPR certificate (Principia provides training)
• Willingness to support students' treatment choice, which may include chaperoning students on calls with medical personnel, taking students to medical treatment facilities, and providing responsive and timely follow-up care and communications. Facilitate the storage of medication through processes overseen by the Director of Student Health Care. Training in medicine administration is required
• Willingness to support all boarding students in a co-educational unified boarding program model (Houseparents will only be assigned to residence halls where students share the same birth gender)
• Willingness to nurture spiritual and character development in students who have limited or no prior experience with Christian Science
• Demonstrated understanding and commitment to fostering belonging and mattering within the Home Department
• Awareness of and ability to develop competency in understanding and supporting the cultural needs of international students within a diverse residential community
• Willingness to contribute to broader School programs beyond dormitory responsibilities throughout the academic year, including coaching, substitute teaching, and supporting performing arts activities