LEARN DC Principal

LEARN Charter School Network (LEARN) is seeking a highly effective and experienced Principal for the LEARN Washington D.C. campus located at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB). LEARN invites you to bring your record of exceptional student achievement in a high performing charter, traditional public or private school to lead the instructional program of the only public charter school in D.C. authorized on a military installation and open to all city residents.

LEARN was selected through a rigorous process conducted by the Ward 8 Parent Operator Selection Team (POST) to select a new school that would serve children who live on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling and in the adjacent neighborhoods. LEARN D.C. is the only school in the region to focus on the unique needs of both military and Ward 8 families.

This is a great opportunity for a school leader who wants to lead the next growth stage for a recent start-up school with a unique student composition. This leader will report to LEARN D.C.’s Executive Director and to LEARN Network’s Senior Principal.

With on-going support from the LEARN Network Charter Management Organization (CMO), the LEARN D.C. Principal will lead: academics, operations, faculty hiring and retention, the student learning experience, student enrollment, family engagement, regulatory and authorizer compliance, and certain external relations.

Start Date: Flexible for those in a current school-based position but no later than July 1, 2023

About LEARN: The LEARN Charter School Network operates 11 college preparatory elementary schools dedicated to providing our scholars with the academic foundation and ambition to earn a college degree. Our schools provide a rigorous educational program that is built upon an intimate understanding of each student’s individual learning style and academic needs. We are guided by five Core Values which include: expectations of high achievement; mutual respect; a safe and nurturing environment; active family involvement; and the positive development of the Whole Child.

Founded in 2001, LEARN is a network of PK-8th grade elementary schools that is creating measurable, transformational change in the lives of its students. We currently educate 4,000 students across 11 campuses in Chicago, Lake County, IL and Washington, D.C. LEARN DC opened in Fall 2021 and at the school’s maturity will educate 550 scholars in grades PK3-8th grade primarily from both JBAB and the adjacent Ward 8 community.

LEARN alumni graduate college at 2x the rate of their peers exceeding city, state and national averages. Our college graduation rate is 10 points above the national average for all students regardless of socio-economic status or ethnicity. We are proud to be closing the achievement gap.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES/OUTCOMES

School Culture

• Advancing a vision and leading a culture consistent with our mission and core values that creates an inclusive, welcoming, achievement-oriented environment for our families, students and staff.

Leading Academics and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Practices

• Recruiting, developing, supervising and retaining instructional enrichment and support staff.
• Directly supervising instructional methods, evaluating lesson plans, conducting observations, and providing staff performance feedback and evaluation.
• Driving academic, enrichment and SEL results using data and creative strategies that foster student engagement in learning.
• Guiding strategies for strong academic achievement among key student subgroups such as mid-year incoming military family students, students with Individual Educational Plans (IEPs) or students in other demographic groupings identified with elevated academic or emotional support needs.
• Leading delivery and co-creating staff professional development.
• Developing, implementing, and managing curriculum and assessments according to state regulations and school performance goals.
• Fostering staff and student proficiency in integrating practices from behavioral models such as Responsive Classroom or Restorative Justice that encourage a culture of positive student behavior and personal growth.

Managing Efficient and Compliant School Operations

• Directing student enrollment, staff hiring, and student/staff retention strategies in conjunction with related CMO departments and our Apple Tree Pre-K educational partner.
• Developing an extended leadership and administration team that efficiently directs one or more aspects of school operations and vendor management covering facilities management, safety/health welfare, security, food, and information technology.
• Leading practices that ensure the School satisfies or exceeds charter authorizer school quality and operational success metrics.
• Developing and managing the annual school budget including staffing and facilities within defined parameters and for successful consolidated reporting with LEARN Network.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training and/or Experience

1. Exemplary track record leading high performing elementary school(s).
2. The ability to lead, motivate and collaborate with professionals and a diverse group of stakeholders.
3. Excellent analytical skills and the ability to create and implement plans of action to get desired results.
4. Skilled instructional leadership ability, with a proven track record of driving high levels of student academic achievement.
5. Demonstrated commitment to the charter school movement,
6. Experienced in implementing educational programs and assessment tools with successful outcomes
7. Adept at interacting with a diverse group of stakeholders ranging from students and families to donors and board members.
8. Track record of using data to drive school-wide decision-making.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics

• Strong commitment to social and emotional learning.
• Ability to hire, train, retain and motivate exemplary staff.
• Strong written and verbal skills.
• Professional demeanor yet highly approachable.
• Ability to express self effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects, adhering to strict timelines.
• Detail oriented and highly organized.
• Comfortable interacting with internal and external customers.
• Ability to defuse situations and organize others to meet project expectations.
• High degree of initiative and independent judgment.
• Ability to tactfully and effectively deal with public and staff in a personable and professional manner.
• Maintains a high level of energy and a consistent positive attitude.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Experienced in charter schools in the startup stage.
2. Familiarity with Washington D.C. charter school environment.
3. Passion, experience and knowledge of working with military families.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/TRAVEL

Physical demands require the ability to stand, bend, reach high and low, stoop, walk around the classroom and kneel. In addition, walking up and down stairs several times a day will often be necessary. Some travel may be required to Network headquarters in Chicago for onboarding, professional development, and monthly meetings.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Majority of work performed in a school on a military base in office environment. Also requires participation and attendance at organization sponsored events and meetings.

This job description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of LEARN Charter School Network. Since no job description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder’s responsibility.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, family medical history, disability or veteran status.

COMPENSATION:Salary and benefits will be competitive and commensurate with experience.

LOCATION:Washington, D.C. -- Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB)

QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS, PLEASE APPLY THROUGH OUR WEBSITE:

LEARN Charter School Network is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds.