Principal or Vice Principal High School Principal
Job Description
Overview of Organization: The mission of The New America Schools is to empower new immigrants, English language learners, and academically underserved students with the educational tools and support they need to maximize their potential, succeed and live the American dream. The New America School, Colorado is a system of three public charter high schools in Lakewood, Lowry, and Thornton (http://colorado.newamericaschool.org/).
We work on a four-day workweek, Monday through Thursday, with additional opportunities to teach on Fridays. Our students come from diverse backgrounds, often needing support in academic, English language learning, and socio-emotional areas. Our schools are small, ranging from 250-450 students. One Friday per month all three schools meet to discuss and model best practices.
We support students socio-emotionally on the same level that we support them academically, and teachers work closely with counselors, behavior interventionists, school psychologists, and family liaisons to serve the whole student.
Selection process to determine the school leader for New America School – Lowry (NAS-L) is tailored to finding a candidate that brings to the position the following competencies:
- Qualifications and experience
- Proven school leader
- Fit with the New America School mission, work as a part of the NAS Colorado team of schools.
- Demonstrated ability to improve student achievement
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- A master teacher
- Knowledgeable in the areas of English language acquisition, SIOP and sheltered instruction
- Knowledgeable in the area of data driven decision making
Job Description—NAS-L Principal
(a) Minimum Qualifications:
- A valid Colorado Administrator License is required.
- Fluency in Spanish is preferred.
- Encouraged to obtain a Linguistically Diverse Education endorsement.
- Ideally minimum three years successful administrative experience.
- Ideally minimum five years successful teaching experience.
(B) Leadership duties:
- Demonstrates commitment to the New America School vision and mission and communicates that vision and mission broadly to all stakeholders.
- Models school values for students, staff, parents and the New America Schools Board of Directors.
- Is a visible leader maintaining frequent contact with students and staff.
- Exercises a participatory management style with staff when at all possible.
- Communicates effectively by written and oral methods.
- Fosters a climate of continuous improvement and innovation.
- Facilitates activities for families and staff to encourage community and shared purpose.
(c) Educational leadership duties:
- Hires and evaluates all school staff.
- Oversees planning and evaluation of programs and priorities.
- Coordinates design of curriculum with staff.
- Administrates all school-based programs.
- Administers services of resource personnel.
- Assists staff in evaluating their methods and instructional materials.
- Designs schedules.
- Develops and fosters cooperation and teamwork within staff.
- Assists staff in accommodating individual student needs and abilities.
- Monitors student progress, discipline, health and safety.
- Provides perspective on educational issues with the New America School board on a regular basis.
- Establishes a plan for improvement of instruction, school philosophy and school policies.
- Assists board in evaluating the school’s progress on established priorities.
(d) Community relations duties:
- Promotes and develops a professional relationship with the New America School board and staff.
- Seeks and considers opinions of others in a timely fashion.
- Provides information to community, media and interested parties about the school, its’ programs and progress towards goals.
- Develops all printed materials needed for the operation of the school.
- Serves in a liaison capacity with the NAS Colorado team on any administrative and/or educational matters.
- Assists with the recruiting, scheduling and training of volunteers within the school.
(e) Managerial duties:
- Approves and authorizes:
- Building usage
- Budget items
- Permanent record maintenance
- Building maintenance
- All school based activities and schedules
- Purchase and utilization of material resources
- Equipment
- Textbook and supplies
- Establishes organizational pattern for the school.
- Plans and implements the staff development program in concert with NAS Colorado staff.
- Delineates all responsibilities and authority, establishing lines of communication and supervision.
- Develops enthusiasm and promotes positive morale among staff and parents.
- Prepares master budget.
Benefits of Working for NAS, a Public High School Charter:
- Four-day work week, Fridays off
- Autonomy in the classroom
- Low-cost health care for employees
- Competitive salary
- Multiple opportunities for additional compensation based on interests and/or aptitude
- Chance to work with caring professionals
- Chance to make a difference in the lives of amazing students
