Middle School Assistant Principal

The Environmental Charter School is looking for a highly dedicated and experienced educator for the position of Middle School Assistant Principal. Successful candidates must be progressive minded, and embody a can-do spirit and work ethic. For best consideration, candidates should have at least 3 years of teaching experience, a principal’s certification a demonstrated track record of success in developing and implementing strategies to meet the needs of students with a variety of learning needs, and a “whatever it takes” attitude to ensure that all students succeed at a high level.

OUR PHILOSOPHY AND MISSION

As the world changes and becomes increasingly more complex, global citizens will need to be equipped with skills that allow them to be flexible thinkers, creative problem solvers, and effective leaders. ECS offers a program that develops students into critical thinkers, thoughtful innovators, and well-rounded scholars. We provide students the tools and educational foundation to become tomorrow’s global citizen, and we strive to teach students how their choices impact the world around them. By using environmental content as a lens for instruction, ECS provides students a context in which to explore ideas and observations, to practice inquiry and to actively problem solve. Throughout their academic career at ECS, students build core skills across all disciplines, and then actively apply these skills to support the impact of learning.

WORKING AT THE ENVIRONMENTAL CHARTER SCHOOL

The Environmental Charter School’s faculty and staff are passionate, talented, and uncompromising with a mission to make sure all students succeed at a high level. Every aspect of our organization and program is designed-and continually refined-to ensure that goal. Our work is student centered, constantly improving, and reflective. ECS’s progressive approach to education challenges faculty to take risks. We strongly value collaboration and recognize the power of systems thinking. Our high achievement scores, long waiting list (nearly 200 students in kindergarten alone!), and unique location in the city of Pittsburgh, serve as a model in environmentally focused education.

Position Overview

As a key member of the leadership team, the Assistant Principal helps to ensure that systems are in place to ensure each child’s success. Additionally, the Assistant Principal is responsible for creating the internal systems necessary to monitor and reward student academic development. This is a 12-month position reporting to the Middle School Principal. They will support the principal of the school in ensuring each teacher executes the Guiding Principles, bringing urgency, rigor, preparation and joy to the classroom each day. They will also assist in the daily operations of the school.

Key Responsibilities

Student Achievement and Instructional Leadership

• Provides leadership to all staff and students in establishing a positive, structured, and achievement-oriented school culture
• In collaboration with the building principal, supports teachers developing competence in the curricula through modeling, observing, providing feedback and supporting teacher reflection
  
  
  

School Culture

• Oversees implementation of character, school culture, and restorative justice initiatives
• Serves as the primary point person for all student discipline issues
• Keeps extremely accurate student discipline records including the documentation of all suspensions, parent/guardian conferences, and phone calls for behavior
• Ensures that all students know and abide by our ECS expectations and norms
• Supports teachers in establishing effective classroom management systems and developing students’ positive social behaviors through coaching and modeling
• Identifies, plans, and implements strategies to address barriers to learning, including attendance concerns, behavior issues and social adjustment
  
  
  

Instructional Coaching

• Coaches teachers to improve their instructional practices and classroom management techniques and works with Curriculum and PD Associate Directors to align efforts and increase impact.
• Coordinates, plans and executes professional development for educators
• Supports the professional development plans of colleagues, including sharing expertise
  
  
  

Family Engagement

• Assists in the orientation of new and returning parents/guardians before the start of the school year to emphasize the responsibilities of parents, teachers, and students
• Participates in recruitment, registration, and re-enrollment activities
• Communicates positive successes of children to parents/guardians, and proactively reach out to parents/guardians as concerns, issues or behaviors arise
  
  
  

Management and Operations

• Plans, designs, and conducts follow-through strategies to implement the school attendance program
• Coordinates all school attendance procedures and systems which assist students’ daily attendance in order to improve their academic achievement
• Manage behavior referrals in Alma and support teacher deployment of the
• Participates in MTSS and grade level team meetings
• Fully participates in opportunities for professional growth including but not limited to: weekly professional development meetings, monthly planning days, August professional development week and any yearly professional development initiatives outlined by the Campus Leadership Team
• Attends to other appropriate tasks as needed
  
  
  

Educational Background And Work Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Principal certification
• Minimum of 3-5 years teaching and leadership experience, ideally in an urban school community
• Familiarity with the developmental and social nuances of grades 6-9
  
  
  

Compensation And Benefits

• Minimum starting salary of $77,759 with consideration given for prior years' of experience
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-, and long-term disability insurance, generous paid time off, and participation in generous 403b retirement plan.
  
  
  

To Apply

Submit a cover letter, resume, and copy of principal certification to: https://ecspgh.org/careers/.

Priority consideration for applications received by Friday, May 1st.

PA clearances current within one year of hire will be required and include Arrest & Conviction Disclosure. Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 151), Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Clearance (Act 34), FBI Criminal Background Check (Act 114), and Commonwealth of PA Sexual Misconduct/Abuse Disclosure Release (Act 168).

ECS is an equal opportunity employer.