Middle School Principal

Laura Jeffrey Academy, St. Paul, MN

03/08/2010

Laura Jeffrey Academy Middle School Principal

 

About Laura Jeffrey Academy:

Laura Jeffrey Academy is the only girl-focused urban charter school in Minnesota. We serve a culturally diverse community of learners and our strategic mission is to close the achievement gap while accelerating the learning of all students. LJA's innovative and rigorous instructional framework that incorporates assessment for learning, Understanding by Design, constructivist methodology, shared inquiry and data based instructional decision making provides the foundation for all instructional practice.  Successful implementation of the framework in our start up year yielded impressive state test results with LJA outscoring the state average and local districts in reading and science and outscoring local districts in math. We are in our second year of operation, now serving 150 girls in grades five through seven from across the Twin Cities.  Next year we will grow to 220 and will graduate our first 8th grade class.

 

Function: 

Provide leadership for Laura Jeffrey Academy including implementation of the LJA organizational framework, oversight of curriculum and instruction, assessment and evaluation of staff, oversight of building administration, communication with families, and the development of community partnerships necessary to promote the educational development of every student.

  

The ideal candidate will:

§         Understand LJA's organizational framework and demonstrate knowledge and experience with constructivist theories, research, curriculum, and learning and assessment strategies.

§         Possess a passion for working with middle grades girls and understand adolescent appropriate climate, curriculum, instruction and assessment.

§         Demonstrate the ability to work with staff to build school-wide efforts and policies that fosters scholarship, health and wellness.

§         Understand the flaws in gender research and gender theories based in biology; understand the social construction of knowledge as it relates to gender, race and class.

§         Demonstrate effective communication skills and the ability to lead and coach school staff as they collect, analyze and evaluate data, design and implement interdisciplinary curriculum and effective instructional methods.

§         Possess effective management skills; be able to use a variety of process skills for planning, organizing and problem solving and demonstrate commitment to LJA principles and a professional work environment.

§         Develop close and positive working relationships with students, parents, and communities of all socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds to create a culture that supports positive learning, sustains achievement and promotes trust and collaboration.

§         Work collaboratively with staff to establish a culture that promotes learning, good judgment and high ethical standards.

§         Demonstrate ability to develop and maintain a positive school climate and learning environment in which positive, appropriate behavior and highly professional behavior is encouraged, in-class time is maximized and discipline problems are minimal.

§         Demonstrate success as an instructional leader (i.e., demonstrate high expectations for effective instruction, exceptional instructional methods - multiple approaches and differentiated, successful AP/internship placement, strong evidence of reflective practice).

§         Demonstrate knowledge of state and federal legal and regulatory issues pertaining to education that require compliance; understand the relationship of public policy to education.

§         Possess experience in and/or knowledge of managing a budget and resource allocation and experience in and/or knowledge of MDE's financial systems (i.e. SERVS, EMAP, EDRS).

§         Possess experience in and/or knowledge of federal education programs (i.e. Title I, II, IV).

 

Additional consideration will be given to candidates who have:

§         Valid Principal's license for grades 5-12 in the State of Minnesota. If you are not currently licensed in Minnesota, documentation verifying a license in Secondary Administration in another state, along w/transcripts must be submitted.

§         Experience as a Principal, Assistant Principal, Education Director or Executive Director.

§         Successful Special Education administrative experience.

 

Essential functions and responsibilities:

Plan organize, guide, evaluate and direct the implementation of all school activities including, but not limited to curriculum, instruction, and assessment, building administration and finance, communication and staffing:

 

Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment:

Implement LJA's organizational framework; lead instructional team meetings and work collaboratively w/staff to strengthen the instructional program; deliver professional development to ensure that all staff have the knowledge and strategies to implement the framework and determine the appropriateness of all curriculum & instruction decisions based on LJA's organizational framework; monitor the instructional program by understanding the individual needs of students in the program; assess all instructional units and coach staff in design and implementation; budget school time and resources to provide for the efficient conduct of school instruction in order to increase achievement of every student.

 

Building Administration and Finance: 

Work w/the Operations Manager to ensure a safe and effective learning environment for staff and students; lead administrative meetings and supervise the maintenance of all required school records and reports; ensure proper use of school facilities for both academic and nonacademic purposes; ensure adequate inventories of property and the security and accountability for the property; work with the Operations Manager to ensure that work agreements are in place, internal controls are met, payroll and AP's are paid in a timely manner; work w/the Executive Director to inform the budget and manage the school to budget; submit all Title grants and reports in a timely fashion; work with the grant writing committee to ensure timely submission and reporting of foundation and corporate grants.

 

Communication:

Establish and maintain communication and positive relationships with staff and students; ensure that discipline policies are in place and followed by all students and staff; assume responsibility for all internal and external school correspondence and news releases; act as a liaison between the school and families; maintain and develop productive relationships with school partners.

 

Personnel/Staffing:

Participate in the recruitment, selection and supervision of all school building personnel; evaluate performance and coach staff members regarding their individual and group performance; act affirmatively in hiring and promotion; implement Q Comp and work closely with the Q Comp coordinator to ensure success of the program; participate actively in all school-related activities and programs; work w/the Executive Director to determine promotions, raises and firing; work w/the Executive Director to develop long-term ENDS, budgets and a three-year strategic plan.

 

Salary range: 

$62,000 - 82,000

 

Method of application(deadline for receiving your application is Friday, March 19th, 2010: 

Please email a cover letter and resume to HR@laurajeffreyacademy.org or send your materials to Laura Jeffrey Academy Attention: HR 1550 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN, 55105. In addition, please submit a current, official transcript, copy of your license and three (3) letters of reference:

§         one from your current or most recent supervisor

§         one from a principal (if your current supervisor is not a principal)

§         remaining letters from a teacher, parent, and/or colleague.

 

Please see LJA's website at www.laurajeffreyacademy.org for more information.

 

 

Affirmative Action Policy:

Laura Jeffrey Academy will not deny anyone the opportunity for employment because of sex, race, religion, color, creed, national origin, marital status, age, sexual preference, disability or status with regard to public assistance.

       Laura Jeffrey Academy is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action School District