About Us
Our school is a free and public charter school that currently serves more than 200 students in Paterson, NJ. Our current elementary school is growing from serving grades K-1 & 5 in our inaugural year to an elementary school serving grades K-2 next year and a middle school serving grades 5-6. Once fully grown, we will be serving approximately 675students serving grades K - 8.
Inspired and founded by Brilla Public Charter Schools in the Bronx, our school combines a Classical approach to education - an emphasis on an ennobling and content-rich curriculum, inductive inquiry-driven instruction, and virtue formation that fosters an encounter with Truth, Beauty, and Goodness - with whole group & small group instruction as well as individualized instructional support for our students. We approach the formation of our students holistically and maintain high academic expectations. Ours is a joyful community that honors the dignity of each student, our staff members, and the families we serve.
Position Overview
The primary responsibility of the Assistant Principal (AP) is to bring the schools' mission to life by executing the Strategic Priorities set forth by the Principal. Supervised directly by the Principal, the AP ensures continuity of instructional practice and fidelity to the curriculum by providing coaching and support around a whole-school academic and culture vision. The AP assists the principal in the planning and execution of key academic and cultural initiatives and programming, facilitating and uplifting a culture of learning that is rigorous and joyful. The AP supervises the school-wide approach to Tier 2 and Tier 3 behaviors in collaboration with the leadership and Child Study Team, ensuring that systems and procedures are being followed to best meet the needs of all students.
Additionally, the AP directly supervises a caseload of teachers as a member of the school's Instructional Leadership Team (ILT). Together, ILT supports teachers by reviewing assessment data, identifying instructional strategies to meet Tier 1, 2, & 3 instructional and behavioral needs, guiding collaboration among grade-level team members, observing classrooms and providing live coaching feedback, and reinforcing standards and expectations for instructional excellence.
The AP is a highly motivated collaborator who goes above and beyond prescribed duties to support the principal, teachers, and their students while taking the initiative to solve problems and address challenges. A successful AP is positive and flexible in the face of change, a model of the school's Core Virtues, resilient to challenge, and deeply dedicated to the school's mission.
Core Competencies & Responsibilities
Instructional Leadership

• Model a deep understanding of instructional best practices and command of elementary or middle school content
• With the support of ILT and Curriculum and Instruction Manager, implement curriculum and instruction that inspires critical thinking, scholar growth, and an appreciation for Truth, Beauty, and Goodness
• Conduct regular classroom observations, live coach, and provide feedback that urgently develops and, deepens teachers' understanding of, instructional practice in support of high student achievement
• Plan, facilitate, and attend regular, mission-critical programming, including weekly leadership meetings, IEP meetings, summer development sessions, data days, parent workshops, family conferences, and other administrative activities
• Engage in ongoing analysis of student data to inform strategy, professional development, and adjustments to instruction in support of achieving high student outcomes
• Coach and manage faculty and staff as assigned, maximizing their impact on student achievement
• Create and facilitate weekly professional development sessions for staff aligned to the school's instructional goals, as directed by the principal

Talent Management

• Demonstrate strong collaboration and communication with all team members
• Support principal with the interviewing, hiring, and onboarding of new staff
• Craft and support facilitation of twice-yearly performance evaluation conversations
• Closely monitor and address staff professionalism - ensuring deadlines, surveys, data and assessment, and other professional responsibilities are met and completed with quality and fidelity
• Conduct bi-weekly coaching meetings with teachers on caseload grounded in student data, instructional feedback, and practice

Strategic Thinking

• Model an achievement orientation & drive by setting ambitious goals, taking initiative, and securing accountability to get results; Demonstrate resilience and resolve in the face of change
• Support Principal in crafting and communicating strategic school systems, culture, and vision that is urgent, creative, and grounded in best practice
• Seek and implement feedback from families, staff, and scholars around school initiatives and improvement

School Culture

• Create intentional experiences that foster joy, a love of learning, and a sense of belonging to the school community, while employing a warm and firm approach that communicates love, respect, and high expectations
• Work with the Principal, ILT, and Child Studies Team to design, model, facilitate, and hold others accountable to the Tier 2 and Tier 3 behavioral and academic processes and systems established; help ensure that student behavior and school culture meet the needs of all students while sustaining staff morale
• Maintain high standards of professionalism in the execution of professional norms, attire, and managing deliverables

Family Engagement

• Support, and reinforce with staff, a welcoming and engaging culture of hospitality for every family, grounded in the belief that the family is the child's first educator
• Support and participate in family engagement initiatives, including, but not limited to, monthly Coffee and Conversations, Parent University and Family Involvement Committee meetings
• Promptly and effectively respond to family concerns
• Support student recruitment, enrollment, and retention as needed

Other Duties

• Perform other duties as assigned including, but not limited to, attending network/school walkthroughs, test preparation, small group instruction, model teaching, reviewing report cards and comments, reviewing and finalizing incident reports, mediating parent concerns, Parent University facilitation, maintaining communication logs, ensuring accurate attendance, and supporting external professional development activities.

Qualifications & Certifications

• Master's Degree or higher from an accredited institution in Education-related field
• 5 years of teaching experience
• NJ Principal Certificate of Eligibility or NJ Supervisor Certification (required)
• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited institution (Master's Degree preferred)
• At least two years teaching in an urban school serving predominantly low-income children with demonstrated exemplary student achievement results
• At least one year of experience successfully leading, managing, and coaching a team of adults with demonstrated results, preferably in a charter school setting
• Experience with Wit and Wisdom and Illustrative Math Scope and Sequences (preferred)
• Special Education credential and experience (preferred)
• Proficiency in Spanish (preferred)
• Experience with a demonstrated proficiency in leading students from diverse cultural, economic, and ability backgrounds preferred
• A relentless dedication to providing all students with an academically robust, inspiring, and joyful learning experience
• An unwavering, confident, and enthusiastic commitment to the educational mission of the school in service to the school community
• Excellent spoken and written communication skills

Our school provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees.