Assistant Principal, Thirman L. Milner Middle School (Grades 6-8) (C135-2627)

POSITION: Assistant Principal, Thirman L. Milner Middle School (Grades 6-8)

REPORTS TO: Principal of the School and/or the Superintendent of Schools and CEO’s designee

POSITION SUMMARY: Hartford Public Schools seeks an assistant principal with a passion for educating children, a commitment to closing achievement gaps, and the ability to maximize learning for all students. We invite applications from innovative professionals dedicated to urban education who understand the academic, social, and emotional needs of students at every stage of development.

The assistant principal will design, organize, and model effective instruction, communication, discipline, and intervention while promoting a positive school culture and climate, and will assume full responsibility for the administration, supervision, and operation of the program, staff, and building in the principal's absence. Ideal candidates bring a proven track record in instructional leadership centered on student-centered learning, along with experience fostering a positive school culture and engaging families and community partners to promote equity and excellence.

We are looking for a leader who brings the following strengths and expertise to our community:

• Strong knowledge of our current student demographics and the wider Milner neighborhood community
• A strong background in Special Education and related services
• Deep knowledge of Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
• Deep insight into and alignment with the District's Improvement Plan

Thirman L. Milner Middle School is a diverse community that cares about each student. We strive to make Milner a safe and welcoming place for students and staff to learn, grow, and belong.

• We promote a genuine love and celebration of culture across our school community.
• We live our P.R.I.D.E. values every day: Positivity, Respect, Integrity, Dedication, and Excellence.
• Our students engage in a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, music, and the arts.
• We create a supportive environment built on fun, positive incentives that celebrate student success.

To learn more about Thirman L. Milner Middle School, please visit https://www.hartfordschools.org/o/milner.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Partner with the principal and instructional staff to evaluate, refine, and strengthen academic programs, using student data to align school goals with district priorities
• Shape and communicate the school's philosophy, vision, and policies, building a shared sense of purpose among staff, families, and the broader community
• Recommend and implement programming changes that reflect best practices and the evolving needs of the school community
• Collaborate with special education staff to ensure IEP services are delivered in a manner that is compliant, equitable, and fully integrated with the school's instructional programs
• Use data to drive instructional decisions, coach staff on high-leverage academic and behavioral strategies, and connect improvement efforts to measurable outcomes
• Assist school improvement planning and implementation, driving the systemic changes needed to advance academic achievement
• Structure roles and assignments for specialized staff to maximize team effectiveness and morale
• Identify vacancies, recommend strong candidates for teaching positions, and support the principal in building a talented, mission-aligned team
• Provide consistent supervision and evaluation of personnel within the scope of supervisory responsibility
• Cultivate meaningful relationships with public and private partner agencies, keeping the school an active and trusted community resource
• Implement collective bargaining agreements and maintain open, respectful communication with bargaining unit members
• Make budgetary recommendations, pursue funding opportunities, and contribute to grant proposal development
• Ensure timely, accurate reporting and support implementation of the school's Plan for School Excellence and Accountability
• Uphold applicable federal and state regulations, Board of Education policies, and administrative guidelines
• Perform assigned duties outside the regular workday when school-related; such unpaid duties will be distributed as fairly and equitably as possible among administrators
• Perform additional tasks as assigned by the Principal and/or the Superintendent and CEO's designee

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS/ABILITIES OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:

• Instructional experience at the middle school level in urban and multicultural settings, with a deep understanding of the needs and opportunities unique to neighborhood schools
• Strong, collaborative leadership style that is honest, transparent, and inclusive — consistently focused on high student outcomes and educational excellence
• Outstanding communication skills and a visible, approachable presence that builds authentic relationships with students, staff, families, and the broader community
• Unwavering commitment to the academic achievement, social-emotional growth, and whole-child development of every student
• High personal accountability for student growth, academic results, and staff performance, paired with a persistent, data-informed approach to continuous improvement
• Demonstrated success leading and motivating adults — whether as a grade-level lead, instructional coach, or administrator
• Proven equitable leadership practices with measurable impact on instruction, school culture, and climate
• Deep knowledge of pedagogy, curriculum development, and assessment design that centers student learning and advances equitable outcomes
• Experience with MTSS frameworks that use data to identify instructional needs, monitor progress, and implement targeted interventions across literacy and mathematics
• Knowledge of financial management and the ability to align resources strategically in support of school priorities
• Fluency in leveraging technology as a tool for teaching, learning, and operational effectiveness
• A genuine ability to inspire excellence in others and unite all school stakeholders around a common vision and shared goals
• Proficiency in Google Suite, Microsoft Office, and PowerSchool (or comparable student information systems)

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Connecticut Certification in Intermediate Administration or Supervision (092) is required.

UNION AFFILIATION: Hartford Principals’ and Supervisors’ Association (HPSA)

SALARY AND TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Salary is in accordance with the Hartford Principals’ and Supervisors’ Association’s 2026-2027 Schedule: Assistant Principal Group 19 with a salary range of $138,539 - $155,174 (12-month work year). 

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:  To be considered, all internal and external applicants must fully complete a Hartford Public Schools’ online application, which can be accessed through our Applicant Tracking System, Nimble, at https://app.hirenimble.com/jobs/hartford. Internal applicants should use a personal email address when applying. Please do not use your hartfordschools.org email.  The code word for the internal application is hartford (lowercase “h”).  Candidates’ application and supporting documents will be reviewed.  Candidates who advance will be contacted directly by hiring managers for interviews.