Reporting to the Chief Schools Officer, the Middle School Director will model and exemplify IAL’s standards for leadership while providing oversight and support for the staff, students and families at Inwood Academy. The MS Director will lead through intentional modeling, coaching and development of students and staff. This role will be the point person for all facets of academics that have a direct impact on student learning and development. This position serves as an instructional and curriculum expert that embodies the educational philosophy and current educational trends and best practices, including educational research, brain research, and successful teaching practices. Examples include the monitoring of classroom instruction and management of all internal and external student assessment data. This role ensures that all students leave the 8th grade ready for high school, academically, socially and emotionally.

The Middle School Director will implement the strategic direction for the middle school and will embody;

• A deep understanding of and a passion to support Inwood Academy’s mission
• A readiness to embody Inwood Academy’s core values of belonging, growth, and leadership
• A proven commitment to DEB (diversity, equity, & belonging) work and fostering an environment where all students and staff belong

Strategic Priorities and Opportunities as a Member of the Leadership Team Include: 

• Building, maintaining, and partnering with staff, parents, and other administrators
• Working together with administration and staff to achieve Level 2 Certification in Dr. Robert Marzano’s Highly Reliable Schools Framework
• Fully implementing an individualized student schedule model that best meets the needs of individual learners
• Identifying leadership skills in staff and finding opportunities to hone and grow these skills
• Seeking innovative opportunities to enrich the academic, social, and emotional development of students
• Exploring ways to continue to build and sustain community K – 12 as the school adds elementary school grades
• Researching, evaluating, and implementing ways that all students can access, without obstacles, all aspects of the IAL program; this includes thinking about activities, additional testing and tutoring, and extracurriculars

Duties of the MS Director: 

• Leads all aspects of the Inwood Academy’s Middle School, responsible for its day to day schedule; directs and supports the activities of the school including all events related directly to the Middle School or the entire school (5 – 12)
• Articulates the programs, philosophy, expectations, behavioral guidelines, and other information necessary to ensure that all constituencies are fully informed consistent with their individual roles
• Prioritizes their leadership development and those of their colleagues, staff, and students to create a school-wide leadership-development culture
• Implements, monitors and assesses the key initiatives of the school including the Science of Reading intervention programming, Highly Reliable Schools, The Writing Revolution, and Collaborative Problem Solving
• Provides an orderly environment in which learning can take place; fosters a school climate that is supportive and generates a positive school culture
• Works with will all staff to communicate, and uphold the student code of conduct; maintains student discipline consistent with school policies
• Supports students, staff, and parents in the orientation and connection to our school community
• Directs and assists in the planning and presentation of school assemblies and programs; assists in maintaining a comprehensive calendar of school events; keeps entire school community informed of various school programs and activities
• Serves as a coach and evaluator to teachers in matters of classroom management, teaching methods, and general school policies and procedures
• Provides guidance and oversees the grading and reporting of standards and methods used by teachers in measuring student achievement
• Maintains timely and relevant communication to parents and facilitates staff communication with parents
• Coordinates a master class schedule which supports the individual needs of students including the provision of intervention and enrichment supports
• Works with the operations team to support and retain students and families

Key Competencies:

• Strong working knowledge of interventions and support for diverse learners and adolescence as a stage of human development
• Openness to feedback and coaching and sees continuous improvement as the goal
• Commitment to coaching and growing faculty and staff
• Ability to sustain an academic program that supports our students and prepares them for their successes in a mainstream environment
• Demonstrates intellectual curiosity, cultural competency, and growth mindset
• Experience evaluating faculty and team building
• Deftness in managing multiple and shifting priorities and ability to solve problems and conflicts effectively, strategically, and tactfully
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse learning environment that cultivates an awareness of and sensitivity to all differences
• Performs other duties as assigned by Chief Schools Officer

Minimum Qualifications:

• Masters in Education Leadership
• Five years of teaching experience and at least three years of school leadership demonstrating a commitment to serve students from underserved communities
• Experience and empathy to be a mentor to faculty and staff and a key resource to parents
• Strong interpersonal skills and collaborative working style
• Ability to manage difficult conversations
• Energy, optimism and a sense of humor necessary to take joy in the leadership of a school and its community
• Fluency in Spanish Preferred