Assistant Principal – Whitney Achievement Elementary School
Position Title: Assistant Principal
Reports to: Principal
Location: Memphis, TN
Whitney Achievement Elementary School
About the Achievement School District:
In January 2010, Tennessee passed the First to the Top Act, a sweeping reform of the state’s education policy that was the cornerstone of its successful Race to the Top application. The Act created the Achievement School District (ASD), a state-run education authority with the power to directly run eligible schools and to authorize charter management organizations to operate schools. The ASD was charged with enacting bold reforms to drive transformational results for students zoned to attend or attending Priority schools. In doing so, the ASD acts as an operator of schools (the directly managed “Achievement Schools” clustered in the Frayser neighborhood in Memphis), authorizes non-profit partners, and works as a catalyst for state-wide school improvement through increased focus on Priority schools and improved student outcomes. The vision of the ASD is for all students in Priority schools to be prepared for success in education, career, and citizenship after high school. In support of this vision, our mission is to fight for justice for Priority school students by committing to excellence, equity, and community in their schools and lives.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree required and Master’s Degree in an education-related field from an accredited four-year educational institution strongly preferred
• Tennessee Administrator’s license required
Work Experience
• At least 4 years of teaching experience, ideally in schools serving high-poverty communities
• Experience providing vision and direction for large teams, with or without formal authority
• Experience setting and reaching ambitious goals
Skills and Mindsets
• Belief in and commitment to the mission and core values of Achievement Schools
• Unwavering belief that all children can learn at high levels, regardless of background, experience, identity or zip code
• Skills to establish and support strong, positive adult culture
• Openness to giving and receiving frequent feedback
• Ability to work urgently in a fast-paced and results-oriented environment
• Strong oral and written communication skills
Additional requirements:
May be required to travel locally and domestically periodically to attend meetings, trainings, seminars, etc.
Position Summary:
An Achievement Schools Assistant Principal (AP) is responsible for supporting the in-school path towards the AS vision of what high-quality curriculum, instruction and assessment looks like, including special education, English Language learners and students placed at risk, who are struggling to learn standards. In addition, the AP is responsible for helping to ensure that the school maintains a strong culture for all students and staff.
Most AP’s in the Achievement Schools network will be split between two schools. Thus, they will spend part of their week at one school and part of their week at another. It will be important for the AP to build strong relationships with students and staff at both schools which they work.
Work Activities:
More specifically, the AP is responsible for:
Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
• Coordinating the storage and review of lesson plans aligned to network curriculum and the regular feedback needed to continuously improve them
• Oversee the execution of curriculum, instruction, and assessment plans aligned to the multi-leveled academic needs of the school
• Ensure that students in subgroups (students with disabilities, ELLs, homeless/migrant, RTI Tiers 2 and 3) receive academic services in alignment with prescribed plans that meet their needs
• Serve as the school Assessment Coordinator, establishing and managing towards weekly expectations of data quality
School Culture
• Create and implement plans to ensure a rigorous and joyful culture among students and staff
• Oversee and implement school-wide behavior plans
• Provide training and support to staff on restorative student discipline practices and socio-emotional learning
• Implement initiatives that lead to a reduction in the rate of student suspensions and expulsions in favor of more restorative disciplinary practices
Overall School Leadership
• Serve as the Principal designee when the Principal is out of the building
• Provide leadership where needed based upon the needs of the specific school and students where the individual is placed.
• Model leadership for other staff in the building
• Work with the Principal as well as the network support team, as needed, to support the needs of staff and students in the building
Core Competencies for Success
• Lead with Humility
• Communicate Effectively
• Solve Problems Effectively
• Practice Persistence and Resilience
• Deliver Results
• Plan and Execute Effectively
Salary and Benefits:
Salary: $75,000. In addition, a comprehensive benefits package is included.
To Apply:
Please e-mail a cover letter, resume, contact information for three professional references, and two writing samples – preferably a sample of a memo and a presentation you have created- to Lisa Settle at Lisa.Settle@tn-asd.org
Pursuant to the State of TN‘s policy of non-discrimination, the Department of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, or military services in its policies, or in the admission of, access to, treatment, or employment in its programs, services, or activities.