TK-8 Principal

Principal

Reports to: Chief of Schools, Grow Public Schools (CMO) 

Organizational Overview

Grow Public Schools (GPS), founded by the Grimm Family Education Foundation opened its doors in August 2011. With schools located in Arvin and Shafter, California, Grow Public Schools is an independent public charter school management organization (CMO) where health and wellness is at the center of student success. Grow Academy implements a rigorous blended learning model and all scholars have the opportunity to actively engage in our unique school features such as our Learning Lab, arts & music program, physical education, and Edible Schoolyard (ESY) program. 

Summary Description

The Principal serves as the instructional and learning leader responsible for the successful implementation of the academic program, ensuring a healthy and positive school wide culture, and maintaining effective and efficient daily operations. The Principal will ensure successful academic, social-emotional, and health & wellness outcomes for all students while employing long-term professional sustainability measures focused on professional learning, teacher quality assessment, curriculum and pedagogical advancement. 

In collaboration with the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) and fellow GPS Principals, the Principal shall be responsible for: 

Schoolwide Leadership

• Leading the implementation at the school site of the following: an integrated and rigorous standards-aligned curriculum; directing the professional growth and development of teachers and staff; responsible for evaluation of all faculty and instructional staff (and/or through designees when appropriate); systematic use of assessment data to guide instruction; and, maximizing impact of the blended learning model.
• Implement the instructional program, assess curriculum and pedagogy, ensure effective standards-aligned lesson plans and observe classes (teaching and learning) on a frequent and structured basis to encourage the use of a variety of instructional strategies and materials consistent with research on the best practices for student learning and development.
• Deliver consistently high levels of achievement and learning for all students through rigorous and engaging programs and classroom instruction.
• Optimize the integrated curriculum model aligned to the GPS Core Academic ModelGPSr (Blended Learning in STEM and Humanities teams, maximizing the learning opportunities through the Edible Schoolyard, learning kitchen, learning lab and classroom.
• In collaboration with the CAO and fellow principals, , develop and implement consistent and frequent professional learning and development opportunities for teachers, ensuring regular instructional training is consistent with the latest research-based methodologies.
• Implement the Grow Public Schools restorative behavioral approach schoolwide to ensure consistent norms of respectful behavior, effective learning environments in the classroom, motivating students through strong relationships with their teachers, positive reinforcement, and effective implementation of the SEL curriculum.

Team Leadership

• Display the highest ethical and professional behavior and standards when working with students, parents and school personnel.
• Establish a strong school community culture by maintaining a positive, cooperative and mutually supportive relationships with faculty, staff, parents, students, and all other school stakeholders.
• Recognize staff and faculty for exceptional performance regularly. ● Skillful and collaborative leadership of all teachers, staff, and school leaders, including supervision, coaching, and performance management oversight.
• Lead GA’s teacher evaluation program and ensure all teachers have opportunities to meet their professional goals and are expertly executing Grow Academy’s instructional best practices as outlined in the GPS

Qualities of Effective Teaching model. 

• Overseeing the Academy’s professional learning and development program ensuring a strong, collaborative professional community, regular training opportunities and a meaningful summer experience.
• Creating a student support system which addresses students’ academic and social-emotional needs holistically and involves parents, teachers, and all relevant staff.

Organizational Leadership

• Manage the school’s daily operations, including: facilities management; information/instructional technologies; food services; student data management systems; academic assessment tools; office management; budget and fiscal controls; and, student recruitment and retention.
• With support from CMO leadership, exercise full engagement on compliance, budget, procurement, student data, academic assessments, and campus safety. Cooperate with the back-office service provider where necessary to meet all school administrative activities.
• In partnership with the GPS CMO Team, execute a highly effective talent management system of recruiting, selecting, hiring, retaining, recognizing, and supporting all school site staff.
• Collaborate with the CMO Team on the review and reporting requirements of the State of California, charter authorizing agency and Federal regulatory agencies, including charter school monitoring and the charter renewal process.
• Maintain a master school calendar to be posted for all stakeholders in all appropriate mediums (i.e. website, social media, student/parent guide, employee handbook). Work with the CMO Team to ensure all marketing and communications tools are up-to-date and active.
• Engage in regular communications with the CMO Team about the needs, successes and general operation of the school.

Community Leadership

• Acting as Grow Academy’s point person to the local community, effectively communicating the school’s mission and vision and soliciting input from parents and families about school performance, areas for improvement, and their needs - including through LCAP outreach, and close collaboration with the Parents of Grow Academy (POGA), and English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC).
• Engaging and building strong professional relationships with parents, characterized by timely and regular communications; involving parents, wherever possible in the life of the school.
• Cultivating partnerships with local and regional external organizations that enrich the culture of the school as well as strong working relationships with the charter school authorizers

Qualifications

Attributes:

• Passion for improving educational opportunities for all students and for building a strong, highly effective organization aligned to this mission. ● Demonstrated experience raising student achievement among a diverse group of learners, economically disadvantaged students, non-native English speakers, and other historically underserved populations. ● Personal connection to and/or experience working closely with English Language Learners and their families.
• Knowledge of/experience with innovative school designs and instructional models, including those featuring 21st Century learning strategies like blended, inquiry, problem/project based and personalized learning.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills. ● Strong, experienced manager with excellent leadership and team building skills.
• Ability to translate critical feedback into effective outcomes. ● Leads with grit, perseverance and a “can-do” positive attitude. ● Ability to productively organize, communicates, and disseminates policies, strategies, and tasks.
• Familiarity with the developmental, behavioral, social/emotional, and academic needs of students in the academic years.

Required Education and Experience:

• BA/BS in a related field.
• Three to five years’ experience teaching elementary school and/or secondary school.
• A valid California Teaching Credential.

Preferred Education, Experience and Skills:

• MA or MEd – PhD or EdD highly desired.
• Three to five (or more) years’ experience as a school leader (principal, vice-principal, or other school administrator).
• Bilingual (English/Spanish).
• Experience in a charter school setting.
• A California Clear Administrative Credential or state-issued equivalent. Salary:

Grow Public Schools offers a competitive negotiable salary as well as a comprehensive benefits package including PPO medical, dental, vision, wellness perks, and STRS retirement.