Hiawatha Academies is a growing network of high-performing, K-12 open enrollment public charter schools. We are driven by our mission that, “All Hiawatha Academies scholars will be empowered with the knowledge, character, and leadership skills to graduate from college and serve the common good.”
Hiawatha Academies is proof of what happens when we give every child the opportunities they deserve. At scale, we will be putting five-percent of all school-age scholars in Minneapolis on the path to and through college.
Founded in 2013, Hiawatha Leadership Academy-Northrop (HLA-Northrop) is Hiawatha’s second elementary campus and serves kindergarten through fourth-grade scholars.
As a school we recognize that there is a strong link between academic success and social-emotional learning. We believe every adult in the school is responsible for creating an environment that promotes a sense of belonging, significance and emotional safety for all students so they are able to focus on learning. We know that all students are able to meet high expectations for both learning and behavior when they receive the support they need to do so.
HLA-Northrop is currently seeking a hard-working, passionate, social-justice-oriented leader to join our team in the critical role of Principal. We’re searching for a leader that is driven to ensure that all students are on the track to college readiness through a combination of rigorous, student-centered learning and supportive, inclusive school culture. This position will begin the summer of 2019. This is a full-time role located in Minneapolis, MN.
Job Description
The Principal will create and sustain a strong school culture, set the school’s academic vision, develop and support teachers as professionals, build relationships with families and scholars, and oversee all functions of the school.
Reporting to the Chief Academic Officer, the Principal will strategically implement the school’s mission through effective leadership of the school’s staff and of the student body. The Principal will develop and lead the instructional program and will foster a school environment that prepares every student for success in middle and high school, college, and in life. The Principal is responsible for leading a leadership team that includes the Director of Operations, an Assistant Principal, a Dean of Instruction, a Dean of Students, and a Dean of Student Support Services.
The Principal will work collaboratively with the CAO to set and manage the school’s budget. The Principal will have a support team for daily operations and student culture so that classroom observation, teacher coaching, people development, and team leadership will be the core focus of their daily work.
Candidates that are selected for an interview will receive additional information regarding the specific roles and responsibilities.
Responsibilities
Instructional Leadership
Set and ensure high standards for student achievement
Ensure program (as planned and implemented) meets or exceeds yearly student outcome goals
Set clear, measurable outcomes based on observation and data from classroom observations and provide targeted feedback that maximizes teacher effectiveness
Provide valuable professional development opportunities for all staff on a regular basis
Play a role in supporting the equity leadership development of all team members
Cultural Leadership
Foster a school climate aligned with the mission and values of the school that supports both student and staff success and promotes respect and appreciation for all students, staff and families
Ensure high standards for student behavior, performance, and attendance
Manage, coach, and develop the Dean of Students
Data-Driven Leadership
Create a culture where people view data collection and analysis as essential to improving their practice
Monitor academic progress and social/emotional well-being of all students
Regularly lead data-driven discussions about student performance and well-being and ensure that data drives instruction in all teaching situations
Work with teachers to improve their teaching practice through coaching, professional development, modeling, and collaborative planning that includes data analysis about student learning
People Management
Effectively communicate a vision that supports the school’s goals and values
Create an effective, collaborative team of people jointly responsible for the attainment of school goals and committed to achieving excellence
Hire and manage performance of all instructional staff, including an Assistant Principal and a Dean of Instruction
Continually monitor progress on all measures of school and staff performance
Relationship-Building
Build effective relationships with and among teachers, families, and the community to improve student success
Collaborate with fellow school leaders across the Hiawatha Academies’ network
Build a relationship of trust with the Network Support Team which supports the realization of the school’s mission
Work collaboratively with the Managing Director of Schools to realize the school’s, and the entire network’s, mission
Perform other duties as required and assigned
The Principal must demonstrate knowledge of and support for Hiawatha Academies’ mission, vision, values, goals, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior
Adhere to Hiawatha’s Human Resource policies and state/federal employment laws
Exhibit a high degree of professionalism in all elements of this position, while serving as a contributing member of the school team and a dedicated role model for other employees
Mindsets Required
1) Believe that all children can learn regardless of background or circumstance
2) Willing to work in an entrepreneurial environment
3) Willing to do whatever it takes, including spending time on nights and weekends occasionally
5) Believe that team beats individual
6) Possess a strong work ethic, self-awareness, resilience, humility
7) Possess a growth mindset around equity leadership
Core Value and Beliefs
All Hiawatha Staff must demonstrate a passionate belief in and commitment to the following core values and equity vision:
1) Children are at the center of everything we do.
2) Our mission requires bold thought and action.
3) We choose optimism.
4) We push ourselves to improve.
5) We are stronger together.
6) We create fun and a little weirdness.
Equity Vision
To honor the humanity of all people, we actively disrupt systemic inequity in pursuit of an equitable world. To learn more about our equity vision, click here.
Hiawatha Employment Logistics
The elementary school day is from 7:25am-3:00pm, Monday-Thursday and 7:25am-1:15pm on Friday.
Professional development sessions are held each Friday from 1:45pm-3:15pm.
All Hiawatha Staff are expected to attend and participate in all Family Events (conferences, academic fairs, beginning of year overnight trip, etc.) at the school.
Skills & Qualifications
Required:
Bachelor’s Degree
Minimum of four years experience working in a school that is disrupting educational inequity with strong success
A minimum of four years of relevant teaching experience with demonstrated student results
Ability to effectively manage, coach, and develop instructional staff
Ability to evaluate instructional programs and teaching effectiveness
Excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills and ability to build trust with colleagues
Demonstrated leadership experience
Possess a growth mindset
Possess cultural awareness of self and others
Excellent judgment in decision-making
Knowledge and ability in the selection, training, and supervision of personnel
Ability to understand, appreciate, and interact within diverse cultural contexts
Ability to learn the budgeting process, laws, rules, procedures, and programs specifically related to the operation of a Minnesota charter school
Experience working with students of color and/or students growing up in low-income households
Preferred:
Master’s Degree preferably in Education, Education Leadership, School Administration/Supervision, Curriculum and Instruction, or relevant field
Advance Professional Certificate with an endorsement as Principal/ School Administrator
Bilingual or multilingual (Oromo, Amharic, Spanish, Somali, and / or Hmong)
Previous successful experience in school leadership
Compensation
Salary for this position is competitive and based on prior experience. Hiawatha offers a collaborative and committed team of colleagues, and a comprehensive benefits plan including medical, dental, life, and retirement.
Anti-Discrimination Policy and Commitment to Diversity
We believe that diversity is strength, and we are committed to maintaining an inclusive, multicultural network. We are an equal-opportunity employer and welcome all qualified applicants.