Elementary School Principal

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION OVERVIEW: 

The Elementary School Principal directs and coordinates educational, administrative and counseling activities of an elementary school that are consistent and aligned to The Academy of Alameda’s mission and envisioned future. The Principal provides instructional and administrative leadership at the school site over curriculum, budget, school operations, special education, students and staff. The Principal gives input into the formulation of the organization’s policies and provides a link between the school, its families and the larger community. 

THE ACADEMY OF ALAMEDA’S MISSION:

The Academy of Alameda equitably develops students into critical thinkers and life-long learners who navigate the world with integrity, and who apply their learning to empower themselves and their communities.

INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Provide leadership to the ongoing development, improvement, and evaluation of staff, curriculum, instruction, and the use of student data;

• Observe teachers and support staff frequently; conduct formal as well as informal observations. Provide ongoing feedback to teachers on instructional delivery and structure substantive feedback for significant areas of growth;
• Work closely with the instructional coach/es to coordinate and develop the Instructional Team’s capacity to design and implement high-level units, including formative and summative assessments and to effectively use student data to drive instruction.  Takes a leading role working collaboratively with the Executive Director and Instructional Coach/es to develop an annual staff professional development  plan;
• Continually develop and evaluate the elementary school’s Tier One program and it’s  RTI math, English, and special education programs in order to accelerate the learning of students who are behind and/or need additional support.
• Work with the Director of Operations and Assistant Principal to schedule and coordinate the annual schoolwide assessment plan including ELPAC CAASPP and Measure of Academic Progress (MAP).
• Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) - Take the lead on writing and implementing the annual LCAP plan including reporting on progress towards goals at select Board and public forums.
• Work with the middle school principal to align the elementary’s main instructional and social emotional goals with those of the middle school and broader organization.
• Work with the special education staff and participate in special education evaluation meetings, individualized education program (IEP) meetings, and discipline meetings, and should periodically observe special education classroom instruction, and other special education duties as needed. Participate in 504, special education, SST meetings etc.

WORK WITH FAMILIES

• Create an effective two-way communication plan with families that helps build meaningful relationships and family involvement in its many forms.
• Meet with the Family Alliance to build relationships and  communicate out and receive input on key topics.
• Meet with families who have questions/concerns with the elementary school program.
• Develops activities such as the Harvestfest and Community Block Party in order to build a strong school community culture.
  
  

WORKS WITH STUDENTS

• Creates a strategic plan to build an effective learning culture by building relationships, engagement, and connecting students to each other, staff, and the school.
• Works collaboratively with the Coordinator of Student Culture to implement advisories, activities, and other events that help build a strong, welcoming, inclusive student culture.

WHOLE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Hire, manage, and evaluate elementary school staff.
• Develop a site based 3-year strategic plan that drives the school towards the organization’s mission and is consistent with the middle school and organization's strategic plan.
• School budget: Manage the site budget so that it supports effective implementation of the elementary school program and organization’s mission and envisioned future.
• Facilitate enrollment tours and information events and attend enrollment meetings as needed.
• Work closely with the Middle School Principal and the Executive Director to align the elementary school’s program to the middle school’s program so that they are both aligned to the mission envisioned goal. 

ORGANIZATIONAL DUTIES

• Attend select Board meetings to present data, strategic goals, etc.
• Play a leading role on the 5-year elementary school charter renewal team including  updating the charter and  presenting data and other information at AUSD Board meetings.

OTHER DUTIES

• Assist (when needed) in making formal reports to the board of trustees and charter entity on student academic performance;

• Work with the Executive Director to communicate future roles that employees might pursue within the organization 

LEADERSHIP QUALITIES INCLUDE:

• Culturally competent and a self-reflective leader who understands the effects of race, class, ethnicity, income, disability, sexual orientation, religion, and other issues of difference in our society and their underlying impact on student outcomes. The principal must have a strong personal mission to work collaboratively with others to transform the status quo, and ensure all students have an opportunity to achieve their highest potential;
• Personal and professional self-awareness and has the ability to nourish caring, trusting relationships in a culturally and racially diverse learning organization;
• A strong, committed desire to advocate for equitable academic, civic and social-emotional outcomes for students who have been historically underserved by schools and society;

• Demonstrate the ability to cultivate high expectations and ensure high academic, civic and social-emotional learning outcomes for all students and adults;
• Experience in engaging all constituents in change efforts that respond collectively and coherently to the assets and challenges in schools and communities;
• Possessing strong intrapersonal and interpersonal skills and strives for personal balance, focus and calmness. Possesses a strong work ethic but also likes to have fun

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Five years of successful teaching at the primary school level and possesses a current multiple subject teaching credential.

• Masters degree in Education, Administration, Organizational Management, a related field, a California Administrative Service Credential or equivalent certification, or equivalent experience
• At minimum of 3-5 years of critical leadership experience including K-12 school administration, coaching, nonprofit management, or other equivalent experience
• Strong communication and problem solving skills
• Outstanding oral and written communications skills in English
• Familiarity with the Common Core Standards for grades K-5 and data-driven instructional practices
• Demonstrated proficiency with administrative resources like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

OTHER PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Familiarity with Special Education, IEP implementation, and IDEA compliance.
• California charter school experience or familiarity with California charter schools regulations.
• Successful teaching experience/s in an elementary, middle, or high school setting
• Fluent in a second language.

COMPENSATION:

• Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience
• Excellent medical, vision, and dental benefits
• STRS or 401K match, depending on certificated or classified status