Hillel Academy in Tampa, Florida is seeking an experienced high school Jewish studies educator poised to transition into administrative leadership, collaborate with a robust Leadership Team, and be motivated to lead a unique and innovative model of Jewish high school education.

Hillel Academy of Tampa, Florida, an FCIS-accredited Jewish day school located on a beautiful 12-acre campus in the Carrollwood neighborhood is poised to be the Bay region’s premier pluralistic Jewish day school currently serving 225 children, their families, and the community aged one through eighth grade. After fifty-three years of exemplary education and developing young minds and Jewish souls, the 2024-2025 school year will welcome its first cohort of high school students. This individual will embrace our diverse community, promote our Culture of Chesed, support our educators, and will be instrumental in turning vision into reality.

Hillel Academy is seeking its founding High School Principal — a passionate, innovative, and inspiring leader who will positively collaborate with an extraordinary team of educators and will build upon a solid foundation to prepare students for their individual paths toward higher learning and career developed in the preschool (starting at age 1) through 8th-Grade.

This is a unique opportunity for the right individual to make a real impact on an established and quickly growing community! Tampa Bay tops the group of 18 similarly sized metropolitan areas for migration to a new geographic region and the west coast of Florida is also the region of growth in all of Florida as the cost of living is lower and the pleasant lifestyle exceeds that of South Florida.

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Mission

Hillel Academy is an inclusive community anchored in a culture of chesed (kindness) that empowers students of all backgrounds to develop their individual potential and identity, shaped by a comprehensive academic program and dynamic Jewish life and learning.

Vision

Hillel Academy is a vibrant center for Jewish education, family connection, and community engagement. Hillel Academy graduates are lifelong learners who demonstrate confidence, kindness, and respect and share a commitment to the Jewish people and Israel.

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Responsibilities

• Curriculum and Assessment

• Collaborate with the Head of School (HOS), K-8 Principal of Teaching and Learning, Director of Jewish Life and Curriculum, and the Early Learning Center Director to align curriculum and educational vision, and to build a school-wide community

• Engage with and support faculty on all aspects of the growth and evaluation process, including but not limited to: professional growth plans, classroom observations, reflection tools, holistic evaluations, and professional development

• Ongoing design, implementation, and evaluation of the curriculum in collaboration with the Leadership Team and Educators

• Oversight of standards, benchmarks, and student evaluation, with special attention to transitions from elementary, to middle, and into high school with an eye toward preparation for success in high school

• Inspire, promote, encourage, and nurture new and innovative programs

• Oversee testing and assessment, including but not limited to implementation of NWEA MAP Growth, Cambridge AICE exams, AP exams, etc…

• Work closely with the HOS and Leadership Team to successfully integrate Jewish and Israel learning and experiences

• Develop and nurture community partnerships to ensure core and signature program curriculum success

• Establish a five-year timeline of post-high school advisory program, College UnMazed portfolio assessment meetings with teachers and parents to provide transparency with individual student growth

• Teaching and Learning

• Foster a positive culture that reflects the philosophy of Hillel Academy

• Serve as a resource to teachers regarding classroom management, teaching methods, differentiated instruction, and student assessment to support all students

• Organize and monitor day-to-day duties, communicating responsibilities to teachers and students

• Provide instructional coaching, mentoring, and instructional support for faculty as well as opportunities for professional learning, development, and growth

• Observe classroom instruction and the implementation of curricular initiatives and provide feedback as appropriate on a regular basis

• Set clear expectations and scaffold for student success; facilitate a culture of joy of learning and accomplishment

• Oversee professional development opportunities (including new teacher training) and ensure teachers continue to be up to date on current trends and research in curriculum and instruction in partnership with the HOS

• Hire (in collaboration with the HOS), inspire, direct, and motivate faculty and staff to achieve their full potential in educating students

• Management and Operations

• Prepare a master class schedule and alternative schedules for special days in partnership with the Master Scheduler

• Work closely with the HOS, as well as Admissions and Advancement professionals to grow and strengthen the school’s admissions, enrollment, and retention programs

• Partner with the Leadership Team in the daily operation, communication, and management related to the following items: Master Calendar, pickup/drop off schedules, lunch service, sports and athletics, afterschool clubs, special events, safety and security, new student and family orientations

• Assist in the review and revision of the Parent Handbook and other policies and procedures

• Student Support

• Coordinate and facilitate responsibilities and conversations related to student behavior with teachers, students, and parents, as needed

• Lead Student Success Team (SST) meetings; Attend IEP meetings and follow up with coordinators and parents

• Family and Community Relations

• Develop and nurture student, parent, and community relationships and partnerships

• Articulate the school’s academic vision and the experience for the individual child to Hillel Academy stakeholders

• Advise educators in their communication with students and parents

• Additional Duties

• Until high school attains critical capacity, Jewish Studies teaching is required

• Sustain a faculty culture that is collaborative and empowering

• Encourage, foster, and maintain meaningful relationships with all stakeholders

• Ensure that policies, admissions, extracurricular programming, community events, and school communications are all mission-aligned and implemented with fidelity

• Represent Hilel Academy in the Jewish community and the community at large

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Head of School

Criteria for Successful Candidates

• Thorough knowledge of Jewish and Israeli text, tradition, and practice and the ability to support the integration of meaningful Jewish and Israeli learning and experiences throughout the school and curriculum

• Skilled at identifying and hiring gifted educators and supporting their professional growth

• Excellent interpersonal skills, effective written and oral communication skills, and demonstrable confidence to engage substantively and meaningfully with students, parents, teachers and do so with optimism, flexibility, and collaboration

• A reflective practitioner with a growth mindset, a deep understanding of pedagogy and a commitment to Hillel Academy’s educational philosophy 

• Ability to foster an environment of collaboration amongst faculty, across and between academic subjects and grade levels

• Commitment to high academic standards and successful teaching experience with students, a “master teacher” among school faculty

• Embody a calm, reliable presence with a relationship-based and problem-solving disposition

Desired Qualifications

• Advanced degree, or commensurate experience, in Education, specifically in Jewish education

• Experience in curriculum or a related administrative area as well as significant classroom experience

• A passion for innovative and profoundly meaningful teaching and learning 

• The ability to inspire, excite and guide a superb group of educators and with a track record of excellence to continue to refine their practice as well as your own

• An enthusiastic devotion to supporting the school’s deep commitment to Jewish and Israel education, while preparing students for whichever journey they choose ahead of them

• A strong desire to take initiative and make a meaningful impact within a tightly knit, supportive, and involved community

Interested Candidates, Please Submit The Following 

• A cover letter including stating why this job is exciting to you and why you’re the right fit

• Current resume

• One-age statement of educational philosophy and practice

• Email to Roni Sade Wardeshaim, High School Start-Up Contractor, at rsade@hillelacademytampa.com

Compensation Package

• Base Salary

• • $70,000-$85,000 (12-months and commensurate with experience)

  • Note - in Florida, there is no income tax

• Benefits

  • Moving stipend up to $5000

  • Tuition remission for children (when calculating remission, the Hillel Academy’s employee salary is not factored into the calculation)

    • All employees with children at Hillel Academy receiving remission are required to apply for the Florida Empowerment Scholarship from the State of Florida

  • Professional Development and Executive Coaching

  • Access to group health insurance and partial coverage of employee by the school

    • Access to dental and vision insurance at employee’s cost

  • Early departure on Fridays, if needed

    • Note - In Tampa, Shabbat does not start earlier than 5:15 PM 

  • Paid Time Off (PTO), Vacation, Paid-Flex-Days (PFD), holidays, breaks

    • Jewish holidays - school is closed on yamim tovim (open Chol Hamoed Sukkot)

    • 12 days Paid-Time-Off per year (sick/personal)

      • Portion of unused days paid out

    • Paid-Flex-Days (work from home days)

      • August - May: 2/month in collaboration with Senior Leadership Team

      • June-July: 1/week in collaboration with Seni