Job title: Assistant Principal
Supervisor: CEO
Department: KUA Medford Campus
HR contact: CPO
Location: Medford
Travel required: summer training possible
Level/salary range:$95,000.00 - $110,000.00 DOE
Position type: salaried exempt
Job summary:
Deputy director of instructional programs and assistant supervisor of operations and personnel at the campus level for Kids Unlimited Academy’s year-round public charter school. Assistant Principal provides leadership to ensure high standards of instructional service in one of the highest poverty neighborhoods of Medford, Oregon. In concert with the Principal, AP helps to oversee compliance with organization policies, success of instructional programs and operation of all campus activities, including extended-day enrichment programs and athletics. The AP must be able to change directions multiple times in multiple ways throughout the day — this position is ALWAYS ON THE MOVE. A background in student behavior management is vital. Candidates must be licensed as administrators and hold master’s degrees in education or related fields. Required minimum three years of teaching or administrative experience in a K-5 school setting. Ideal candidates possess the sensitivity and sincerity, as well as sophistication, to interact at all levels of the organization, from small groups to the larger community for whom the principal serves as ambassador of KUA programs, its history and mission. Candidates should have a passion for changing the trajectory of students who otherwise may not have opportunities to succeed. Candidate must possess and apply equity lens to ensure policies, programs and quality instruction are accessed by all. This position is a career destination, not a stepping stone.
Job description:
This position will help to guide our Medford campus during the 2023-24 school year through its transition to phase out middle school. KUA opened in 2013, initially serving grades 1-3, expanding to K-6 by 2016. Pre-K students joined the campus in 2019, followed in 2020 by a satellite campus in White City, Oregon. KUA’s AP will support the principal in reinvigorating the focus on primary education, laying the foundation for academic success in middle school, high school and beyond. The AP is committed to equity, demonstrated by KUA’s rates of high school graduation, college performance and career readiness — attainable goals regardless of race, language, ethnicity, gender, economic status or zip code. The AP upholds and executes the proven KUA model of providing more instructional time and enriching programs for approximately 500 students in a high-expectations, no-excuses environment. These values are embodied in culturally competent, bilingual faculty who provide individualized tutoring and instruction plans, as well as wrap-around services for the entire family that include health care, child care assistance and employment and housing resources. KUA is an outgrowth of Kids Unlimited of Oregon, which provides the most comprehensive academic and enrichment afterschool and summer programs in Southern Oregon. Services include district-partnered afterschool programs, a tutoring center, athletics programs, summer camps and winter and spring break camps.
The environment:
* Kids Unlimited Academy provides an extended-day, extended-year program designed to serve working families and provide additional support for students and families of need.
* KUA operates an award-winning food program, offering free breakfast, lunch and dinner — cooked from scratch using fresh ingredients in our on-site kitchen — to all students.
* KUA students receive approximately 30% more instructional time than Medford School District's district schools.
* KUA students receive special instruction from licensed teachers in art, music/drama and physical education.
* 94% of KUA students come from poverty.
* 80% of KUA students come from Latino families.
* Many KUA families need additional support beyond education for their children.
* Equity lens applied to KUA procedure and policy changes.
The rewards:
* Gratifying relationships with staff, students, families and community members invested in KUA’s mission;
* Raising the bar for KUA student achievement;
* Opportunities for professional advancement as KUA grows;
* Competitive salaries and benefits;
* Longer and additional school vacation breaks from fall through spring;
* Increased access to vacations during year-round school;
* Decreased student and teacher absences during year-round school;
* Additional school days help to close student achievement gap;
* Consistency of year-round school makes students and teachers feel more at ease;
* Students retain what they learn during year-round school, rather than experience summer learning loss;
* Additional time during year-round school for authentic hands-on learning, excursions and field trips;
* Increased student opportunities for extra help and tutoring;
* Increased staff opportunities for continued education and training.
Major responsibilities and duties:
Instructional management:
* Verify and assist oversight for implementation of all grant requirements to ensure fidelity with KUA programming.
* Provide instructional resources and materials to support KUA teaching staff in accomplishing instructional goals.
* Monitor instructional and managerial processes to ensure program activities are related to program outcomes. Use findings to realign actions and improve outcomes.
* Regularly consult about planning, operation, supervision and evaluation of campus education programs. Include students and community representatives when appropriate.
School improvement:
* Helps KUA principal to build a common vision for school improvement with staff. Direct planning activities and put programs in place with staff to ensure attainment of KUA's mission.
* Assist development and setting annual campus performance objectives based on data.
* Assist development, maintenance and use of information systems and records necessary to show campus progress on performance objectives.
* Identify, analyze and apply research findings to promote school improvement.
School culture and morale:
* Foster collegiality and team-building among KUA staff members. Encourage their active involvement in the decision-making process. Be an example of a team player.
* Communicate and promote expectations for high-level performance to staff and students. Recognize excellence and achievement.
* Assist in management and implementation of school-wide socio/emotional system, “mindfulness” practices and restorative justice frameworks; keep “a finger on the campus pulse.”
* Demonstrate professional, ethical and responsible behavior. Serve as a role model for all campus staff.
* Participate enthusiastically and authentically in open-house, recognition and celebration events and other school-wide culture-building activities where staff presence is requested as a condition of employment.
* Assist in oversight of the “advisory” program for grades 6-8 and class meetings for K-5; provide feedback to staff, improve and enhance consistency in practices.
* Support teachers and staff in building meaningful relationships with students and families.
* Maintain and foster a sense of humor that is situationally appropriate and puts others at ease.
Personnel management:
* Focus on hiring/retention of quality staff members, participating in interviewing, selecting and orienting new KUA staff in collaboration with principal and KU executive director. Lend approval of all campus personnel.
* Help to define expectations for staff performance with regard to instructional strategies, classroom management and communication with the public.
* Observe employee performance, record observations and, in concert with KUA principal, conduct staff evaluations.
* Provide teachers with constructive feedback for improving instruction; support teacher improvement efforts.
* Make recommendations to KUA principal and KU executive director on termination, suspension or nonrenewal of employees assigned to campus.
* Work with senior administration to plan professional development activities. Attend scheduled staff meetings, teacher observations, professional development workshops and other scheduled school activities.
* Confer with staff regarding professional growth. Work with them to develop and accomplish goals.
* Ensure effective and quick resolution of conflicts.
Student management:
* Work with KUA faculty and students to develop a student discipline management system that results in positive student behavior and enhances school climate; head PBIS and other committees.
* Execute and build upon KUA student incentive and accountability systems to drive positive student behavior and strong school culture (lunch clubs, morning check ins, morning flow, family nights, etc.)
* Assist in implementation and management of protocol for KUA’s mindfulness room and oversee its staffing; create a safe, calm environment for students.
* With principal, inform parents of KUA behavioral approach, PBIS systems and how KUA is implementing programs.
* With principal, maintain accurate student discipline records, documenting all conferences, suspensions and phone calls for behavior.
* With principal, document attendance and tardies and manage systems related to supporting students and families with attendance concerns (attendance supports, recognition, home visits, etc.)
* Ensure school rules are uniformly observed and that student discipline is appropriate and equitable in accordance with Student Code of Conduct and student handbook.
* Meet with parents regarding behavior and establish behavior plans and interventions as needed.
* Assist with student safety plans, risk assessments and threat assessments.
* Coordinate with third-party providers for wrap-around local support and interventions including mental health, parent education and other opportunities.
Management of fiscal, administrative and facilities functions:
* Comply with KU/KUA policies, state/federal laws and regulations pertaining to schools.
* Keep KUA programs within budget limits; maintain fiscal control; accurately report fiscal information.
* Coordinate with KUA officer manager to compile, maintain and file all physical and computerized reports, records and other documents required, including accurate and timely reports of maximum attendance to requisition textbooks.
* Collaborate with KUA grant-writing team.
* Coordinate with KUA events committee and help to oversee school master calendar.
* Help to oversee use of KUA facilities and advise facilities managers about ongoing maintenance of facilities to ensure a clean, orderly and safe campus.
Qualifications/experience:
* Master’s degree in education or educational administration required.
* TSPC administration license required.
* Required minimum three years experience as a K-5 classroom teacher with additional experience in instructional leadership roles.
* Required experience in student behavioral interventions and techniques.
* Required experience leading and managing staff.
* Experience in a high-performing school serving a high-needs community preferred.
* Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
Special knowledge/skills:
* Working knowledge of curriculum and instruction, including Oregon public school standards;
* Understanding of special education processes and protocols;
* Ability to evaluate instructional program and teaching effectiveness;
* Ability to implement policy and procedures;
* Ability to coordinate campus functions;
* Ability to step in for principal as needed and on short notice;
* Strong organizational, communication and public relations skills, both verbal and written;
* Strong interpersonal skills with students, parents, colleagues and community members;
* Ability to implement, sustain and nurture culturally responsive practices;
* Ability to maintain emotional control under stress;
* Ability to problem-solve in dynamic situations with myriad variables;
* Ability to perform professional duties during frequently prolonged and irregular hours.
