SY 24-25 - Assistant Principal / Director of Academics

Welcome to Conservatory Lab Charter School- a community that stands out in Massachusetts:

• The ONLY charter school designated a “School of Recognition” by DESE based on SY22/23 growth metrics across all subgroups.

• A finalist for the Pozen Prize in 2019, awarded for strong student growth.

• An “El Sistema-inspired” program, where students have music class every day and learn a wide variety of instruments.

• An EL Education school where project-based learning, social-emotional development, and rigorous academics are woven together for powerful outcomes.

• A place where students implicitly learn to uplift each other, persevere, and cooperate through their experiences in music as well as academic classes.

Come join our community and be part of a unique, dynamic team committed to holistic excellence in urban education!

The Conservatory Lab Charter School seeks an instructionally-focused Assistant Principal for the Middle School grades (5th-8th) who is passionate about collaborating with staff, students, and families to achieve rigorous academic outcomes. The Assistant Principal supervises, coaches, and supports the classroom teachers in all elementary school grades. This includes holding regular 1:1 meetings with all teachers as well as regularly leading grade level team meetings during common planning time. The Assistant Principal utilizes instructional pedagogy and interpersonal skills to partner with classroom teachers in the spirit of continual growth, leading from the most up-to-date research about what is most effective for teaching and learning. The Assistant Principal maintains an ongoing, transparent coaching/observation/feedback cycle with each of his/her teachers, always keeping the focus on bolstering student growth. The Assistant Principal leads his/her team and works with the Principal to use data to inform instructional decision-making at the student, class, grade, and school levels.

The Assistant Principal must be of the mind that school leaders do their job best when they are continuously learning and seeking the most critical, current information about instructional pedagogy and technique. For supporting literacy instruction, the Assistant Principal must be familiar with the basic principles supported by the Science of Reading, including but not limited to the Simple View of Reading and Scarborough’s Reading Rope. A deep understanding is preferred. For supporting math instruction, the Assistant Principal must be familiar with current approaches to supporting students in developing powerful mathematical thinking, including but not limited to the work of researchers such as Clements/Sarama, Fosnot, and Liljedahl. A deep understanding is preferred. The ideal candidate believes in the core principles of inclusive education, possesses deep knowledge to support a range of learners, and is able to coach and guide teachers to create an inclusive learning environment for every CLCS student. The Assistant principal should have at least a working understanding of project based learning, more specifically the EL Education school model (formerly expeditionary learning), and excitement for music education, to embrace our El Sistema inspired approach, with a strong foundation in social emotional learning, as these are core pillars of the program at CLCS.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support principal in weaving project based learning, Expeditionary Learning, the Science of Reading, Mathematical Thinking, and Social-Emotional Learning into the daily culture of the school for students, staff, and families.

• Articulate academic approach, school culture, vision, and mission to families, teachers and students.

• Provide regular coaching and feedback to Middle School teachers (5th-8th grade), including 1:1 meetings, grade level meetings, department meetings, and leading small group and whole-school professional development .

• Supervise, coach and contribute to evaluation of middle school staff to support a positive school environment focused on high achievement for all students

• Support teachers in building a strong understanding of grade level standards in order to build standards aligned, integrated units of study that incorporate service learning, field work and real world products

• Oversee academic assessment program, ensuring data is gathered at designated windows

• Work with Principal to develop a sequence of grade level traditions that encompass service learning, student reflection, and Crew experiences, including the the transition from 4th-5th grade (shift from self-contained class to departmentalized class)

• Work with Director of Student Services to oversee the Student Support Team

• Collaborate with the Director of Student Services to create an inclusive learning environment for all students.

• Contribute to the building and nurturing of a positive school culture including the coordination of school-wide or grade level events, the implementation of staff and student recognition systems and supporting the school-wide PBIS initiative.

• Participate in the creation and monitoring of the site’s School Improvement Plan and is a member of the site Leadership Committee

• Work with the school-based leadership team to manage logistical elements of major student assessments and school based platforms.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborate with the leadership team to lead the development and logistics of school-wide events, Family Nights, and New Student Orientations

• Support communications and external relations through parent letters, weekly staff notes, surveys, and visitors

• Support team efforts to address student attendance and tardiness

• Work with the principal and others to maintain a safe, secure and clean environment at the site including supervising emergency drills, developing emergency response procedures, arranging substitute coverage, supervising students’ lunch/recess and school arrival and dismissal procedures

• Prepare paperwork and reports as required (newsletters, handbooks, board reports, etc.) and assist with scheduling

• Other responsibilities as assigned by Principal, Director of Operations, or Executive Director

Qualifications:

• 5 years teaching experience (preferred at least 2 yrs in PK or K, and/or other experience with those grade levels)

• 2 years school leadership experience

• Instructional mindset guided by current research on what’s best for teaching and learning

• Growth mindset regarding own knowledge of instructional pedagogy, inclination to continuously seek new information and develop expertise

• Strong personal organizational skills

Preferred:

• Fluent in Spanish, Haitian Creole, or Cape Verdean Creole

• Deep understanding of Science of Reading research, including theoretical frameworks such as the Simple View of Reading and Scarborough’s Reading Rope

• Deep understanding of current research in developing mathematical thinking, including the work of researchers such as Clements/Sarama, Fosnot, and Liljedahl.

• Strong technology skills and advanced use of google suite

Required Documentation Upload:

1. Resume: Please submit an updated copy of your resume, highlighting your relevant experience, skills, and achievements.

2. Licensure: If applicable to the position, we require a copy of your current professional licensure. Ensure that the license is valid and in good standing.

3. Degree: Kindly provide a copy of your highest educational degree relevant to the position.