ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL (HUMANTIES)

Belmont Charter Network is a family of 5 community schools centered on the central mission to promote the academic, social and emotional well-being of each child. Our schools are supported by a non-profit partner to provide holistic services to the school including out-of-school time, our social work project and Head start. How do we do this? We do it by ensuring our students have access to complete support both in and out of the classroom through a talented team of teachers, leaders, social workers, and partners.

We believe that schools and learning should be joyful!

You can find more about our core values and vision here. We believe that education is the single biggest way we can disrupt the systemic racism that impacts Philadelphia and by extension our country. We are a mission centered organization that has grown since its founding over 20 years ago to be the organization that serves Philadelphia today. Learn more about our partners who support this vision by creating a full scope of community support for our students and families. Our approach is grounded in trauma informed practice which you can read more about here.

Your areas of knowledge and expertise:

• Demonstrated skill in working with students from diverse cultural, economic and ability backgrounds.
• Creative problem solving
• A commitment to being a lifelong learner, commitment to refining your craft
• A knack for connecting with people across differences including parents, colleagues and students.

Position Summary:

The Assistant Head of School is an instructional school leader responsible for managing, evaluating, and coaching teachers at their campus to ensure students demonstrate significant and measurable academic results. The AHOS is responsible for ensuring teachers are carrying out the vision and academic priorities of the school. Additionally, the AHOS is charged with creating and facilitating ongoing professional development and aligning instructional coaching to PD. The ideal candidate will be a team player who is relentlessly data-driven, has strong pedagogical and CCCS knowledge, and believes proactive coaching of teachers is one of the key levers toward achieving educational equity for all students. This is a 12 month position that is supervised by the Head of School.

Core Responsibilities:

• Instructional Leadership
  • Encourage, support, and coach teachers in implementing innovative and research-based teaching strategies that enhance student engagement and achievement.
  • Promote a culture of continuous improvement by facilitating professional development opportunities and providing resources for educators to stay current with best practices in education.
  • Foster a collaborative environment where teachers can exchange ideas, share successful instructional methods, and adapt their teaching approaches to meet evolving educational needs.
  • Lead data and planning meetings with teachers to ensure instruction is data driven.
  • Model instructional strategies and classroom practices for assigned staff.
  • Develop and lead professional development sessions based on instructional priorities and school-wide foci.
  • Serve as the curriculum and instruction liaison between the network academic team and school based instructional personnel ensuring alignment to the school’s academic vision and expectations.
  • Coordinate with outside supports and coaches to ensure all teachers receive high-quality and aligned support.

• Teacher Management
  • Provide real time and goal-aligned coaching to assigned staff to improve teacher instructional practice and follow up with clear and specific action steps.
  • Evaluate assigned teaching staff utilizing the BCN performance management system and develop goals based upon the rubric.
  • Hold weekly or bi-weekly one on one meetings (O3s) with assigned teaching staff providing feedback, accountability, and practice of key instructional skills.
  • Monitor lesson plan submission and provide feedback based on designated rubric goals to ensure teacher internalization of content.

Additional responsibilities:

• Systems Leadership
  • Conduct regular school walkthroughs, monitoring data trends to drive upcoming teacher support
  • Plan benchmark testing and state testing with the network Academic Team and/or school testing coordinator
  • Collaborate with Special Education Manager and network Special Education Director to ensure students are receiving appropriate interventions, modifications, and accommodations

• School Culture
  • Coach teachers to implement school-wide engagement and management techniques that ensure students are focused on academics and achievement in class.
  • Create a culture of achievement through celebrations of student learning and growth
  • Collaborate with the Director of Student Culture to establish school wide, classroom, and student behavior incentive plans and systems.
  • Organize, lead, and participate in student and parent events.
  • Other duties as assigned by the Head of School

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work collaboratively with teachers, administrators, and other stakeholders
• Proficient in analyzing data to identify trends and inform instructional decision making and strategies
• Strong problem-solving skills to address challenges in teaching and learning
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Believes in trans-disciplinary teaching and learning
• Model an exemplary work ethic
• Eager to learn and has a growth mindset
• Excellent oral and written communication skills to convey ideas clearly
• Active listening skills to understand the needs and concerns of teachers
Belief in and alignment with Belmont Charter’s mission and values

Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s required,
• Master’s preferred, willingness to work towards School Leadership Certification
• 2 years of demonstrated educational leadership, experience as an instructional coach preferred
• Experience teaching in an urban school setting for a minimum of 3 years
• Experience managing and implementing school wide cultural systems
• Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Background Check Clearance (Act 34)
• Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 151)
• Federal Bureau of Investigation Record Check Clearance (Act 114)
• Sexual Misconduct/Abuse Disclosure Clearance (Act 168)