CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
NJ Principal certification is desired for this role. (Note: Upon being hired, candidates with a Principal CE license can enter into the mentoring program required to obtain a Standard Principal license.) Candidates with teaching or school leader certification in other states who are still seeking reciprocity certification from New Jersey, should flag this for us during their initial interview.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum 10 years of experience (teaching and leadership combined)
- Experience as a leader in a high-performing charter public school (e.g., UnCommon Schools, KIPP, Success Academy), traditional public school or privately managed school.
- Experience working with a diverse student population
- Proven strengths in the area of teacher professional development and coaching.
- Expertise in the analysis of assessment data, in how to use data to drive instruction, and in training teachers in how to conduct effective, data-focused Professional Learning Community meetings
- Commitment to the mission and goals of the school
RESPONSIBILITIES
Academy and School Wide Leadership
Academic Deans are members of K-12 instructional leadership team and report to the school wide Director of Education (Head Principal) and Executive Officer (Superintendent).
Teacher Hiring, Induction and Certification Oversight
Academic Deans are centrally involved in teacher interviewing, hiring and induction, and oversee teacher certification at their academy.
Teacher Professional Development, Coaching, Support and Assistance with Evaluation
Academic Deans are expected to:
- Oversee teacher professional development in classroom management, data-driven instructional planning, the creation of effective lesson plans, the delivery of engaging and effective instruction, and in the effective use of technology and learning programs;
- Periodically meet one-on-one with academy teachers throughout the school year to review and guide the periodic revision of their Personal Professional Development Plans;
- Provide observation and feedback, as well as real-time coaching and instructional modeling for academy teachers;
- Ensure teachers and students are receiving the support they need from other instructional and student professionals; and
- Work with the schoolwide Director of Education (Head Principal) in the evaluation of teachers.
Department Chair Training in Assessment Data Analysis and Professional Learning Community Leadership
We look for Department Chairs to conduct effective Professional Learning Community meetings with their department peers -- meetings that focus upon the kind of “test-in-hand” data analysis that:
- Goes beyond what scholars got wrong to why scholars got it wrong;
- Facilitates teachers taking responsibility for (either individually or as part of a team) successfully addressing their scholars’ learning challenges; and that
- Develops teachers’ ability to effectively use data to drive high quality instructional planning.
Academic Deans must be expert in these skills so they can coach Department Chairpersons who have not yet mastered them.
Parent Meetings
When requested by an academy teacher or as otherwise appropriate, the Dean will be expected to meet with the parents/guardians of a scholar.