Job Description: Assistant Principal of Student Culture

Reporting to: Principal

ABOUT US:

Bright Star Schools is a free, publicly funded and open enrollment non-profit organization with nine public charters in urban Los Angeles. Across all of our Bright Star sites, over 90% of our students are eligible for free and reduced lunch.

Our mission is to provide holistic, inclusive support for all students to achieve academic excellence and grow their unique talents so that they find joy in higher education, career, and life. Bright Star students will become leaders who act with integrity and champion equity to enrich our communities and the world. The framework to our success is our core operating principles, which are Integridad, Ubuntu, Kohyang (고향), and Growth.

At Bright Star, we’re committed to our educators’ success. We provide over 260 hours of differentiated professional development each year and offer numerous leadership opportunities to support our teachers to become experts in their craft. We also offer small class sizes, comprehensive teacher support, and numerous collaboration opportunities across the organization and within school sites.

Educator applicants should be prepared to conduct classes virtually or in-person depending on COVID-19 health guidelines.

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Bright Star Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, pregnancy, or veteran status.

Assistant Principal: The Assistant Principal of Culture is responsible for leading a safe, inclusive, affirming, and joyful school community that supports student learning and growth. This role is also responsible for a variety of non-academic programs, including student leadership development, restorative practices, and social emotional learning. The Assistant Principal of Culture is an integral part of the School Leadership Team and supervises the Dean of Students, Dean of Restorative Practices, School Counselors, and any additional relevant support staff that the school may employ. The ideal candidate excels at developing relationships with students, families, teachers, and colleagues based on mutual respect, integrity and trust, in pursuit of school goals and vision.

Qualifications & Experience

An admin credential is highly desired for this position.

Minimum:

• Valid, Clear, California Teaching Credential or PPS Credential
• At least five years of teaching and/or counseling experience with consistent student achievement and growth
• Consistent successful student outcomes in prior teaching or counseling experience with student populations similar to that of Stella MiddleCharter Academy (primarily from low-income, educationally underserved communities)
• Evidence of strong organizational, student management and interpersonal skills.
• Extremely high standards for student academic work and student behavior – belief that all of our students (who are primarily from low-income, educationally underserved communities) will be able to rise to the same academic challenges and compete at the top levels with all students, regardless of background.
• Ability to work collaboratively as a team player and delegate as appropriate.
• Experience leading a team of educators to successful outcomes in a school setting.
• Experience leading high quality staff professional development.
• Foundational understanding of Restorative Justice and CA Ed Code
• Experience leading and/or participating in School Programming/Events
• Working knowledge of Google Apps and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint) plus an aptitude for quickly learning and mastering other data-based programs.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Willingness to quickly digest and, when needed, create documents for the school community (students, teachers, parents).
• Understanding of and agreement with our student, parent, and employee expectations (handbooks).
• Industriousness and Enthusiasm: doing whatever it takes to ensure success – defined as helping our students to do whatever is necessary for them to academically, socially and emotionally conquer the challenges of middle school.
• Humility, receptiveness to feedback, evidence of being a constant learner.

Desired (but not required) in order of importance:

• At least one year of experience in an instructional coaching or administrative role.
• Administrative credential, or willingness to pursue.
• Experience supervising other employees.
• Fluency in a second language. Willingness to learn Spanish if that isn’t the language of fluency.
• Post-graduate degree (Masters or Doctoral degree)

Responsibilities and Duties

In conjunction with the Principal, the AP will create, and push the school’s vision forward. Support and work with 50-60 school site personnel including teachers and office staff.

The following programs are under the direct supervision of the Assistant Principal of Culture:

Commitment

This is a full time role. The commitment for this position is approximately 40 hours per week. The general hours of operation of the schools are Monday – Friday 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The specific hours for the Assistant Principal will vary depending on teacher and campus needs. As a member of the leadership team, the Assistant Principal must be flexible with regard to the daily and weekly schedule.

The Assistant Principal is also expected to attend an average of two evening events per month (approx. 1.5-2 hr commitment to each such event or program). The position also requires out-of-town days each year including our student life experience lessons and an annual faculty retreat/team building experience. The calling of the position often requires a time commitment beyond the basic hours.