Empowerment Zone Assistant Principal
Grade Level : 6-12
Leading in SEZP
SEZP is seeking leaders and educators who are excited and ready to make an impact in a collaborative, engaging, diverse, and high energy environment.
We are seeking leaders who believe teachers are activists - promising instructional access, rigor, advocacy, and a tenacious commitment to anti-racism for all students.
SEZP leaders are expected to :
- Create a safe, purposeful school environment that prioritizes learning for all students
- Collaborate with other leaders, teachers, and partners to ensure instruction is meeting the needs of all students
- Ensure that instruction meets the needs of all students, including students with special needs, English Language Learners, and students performing below grade level
- Build relationships and communicate regularly with students and their families to solicit input and share academic progress
- Engage in learning about issues of racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion in education to examine your own biases; reflect on how those biases affect you, your students, and their families;
and plan and deliver instruction in a culturally responsive way
Participate in and learn from regular professional development opportunities before and during the school year
In addition, the Assistant Principal will act in the capacity of a school administrator and assist the Principal in the performance of duties noted under the following categories :
Leadership
- Articulates the vision and mission of the school and the district.
- Reviews, evaluates, and revises instructional programs using relevant data.
- Knows and encourages appropriate uses of instructional technologies.
- Involves staff in preparing and implementing professional development plans that are related to high student achievement.
- Understands the principles of mentoring and peer coaching.
- Promotes activities that honor academic excellence.
- Implements the school's and district's goals.
Administration
- Demonstrates effective oral and written communication skills.
- Uses effective methods of personnel selection, supervision, and evaluation.
- Identifies, implements, and evaluates content-based instruction based on the MA Curriculum Frameworks.
- Practices relevant fiscal management policies and procedures.
- Uses technology appropriately : as an organizational tool for record keeping and scheduling; as a communication tool; data collection and accountability;
and educational research.
- Assists in the improvement of instructional programs.
- Provides support and leadership in implementing standards-based classrooms.
- Understands plant facilities and equipment management.
Equity
- Assures presence and quality of educational practices and programs that address the needs, interests, and abilities of all students.
- Understands, models, and encourages the belief that effort is a key factor in achievement.
- Helps all students see themselves as unique individuals responsible for their own actions.
- Follows and helps train teachers to use the district’s Code of Conduct.
- Understands, uses, and supports the use of intervention services for students.
- Assures high academic expectations for all students.
- Holds teachers, students, and self to high standards of performance and behavior.
Community Relations
- Involves families and other community members in developing the vision, goals, School Improvement Plans, and programs for the school / district.
- Promotes partnerships among staff, families, the business community, and other
community groups and uses community resources to enhance instruction.
Professional Responsibilities
- Is familiar with the district’s student support services.
- Knows multiple strategies to assess student performance.
- Understands organizational change, school-based management, and school restructuring.
- Understands federal, state, and local laws and regulations including laws on disability, civil rights and responsibilities, issues of liabilities, and requirements of due process.
- Participates in parent conferences, PTO work, and community relations.
- Takes an active part in professional organizations.
Qualifications
- Master’s degree from an accredited college or university preferred
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university required
- Licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Education as a School Principal / Assistant Principal at the appropriate level preferred
- A minimum of five (5) years of successful classroom teaching experience preferred
- Leadership experiences-chairman of teacher’s committees, school counselor, officer of professional or community organizations, school administration, SEA career ladder positions, etc. preferred
- Experience in positions of responsibility in professional and community groups preferred
If you meet some of the qualifications above, we encourage you to apply or to reach out for more information. We know that historically marginalized groups including people of color, women, people from working class backgrounds, and people who identify as LGBTQ are less likely to apply unless and until they meet every requirement for a job.
Therefore, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other marginalized communities.
We encourage you to reach out to if you have questions about the role or your qualifications. We are happy to help you feel ready to apply!
Benefits
SEZP offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience; salaries for new teachers start at $50,500. Teachers in SEZP qualify for benefits (personal / sick days, retirement, health insurance, etc.
offered to other teachers in the Springfield Public Schools.
In addition, there are several opportunities unique to SEZP schools to increase earnings above base salary. While not guaranteed, those opportunities currently include, but are not limited to :
- Advanced and Master Teacher positions : These are awarded following an application process that typically takes place each winter, and come with salaries of up to $87,000
- Expanded Learning Time stipends at some schools, based on the yearly schedule
- Annual stipends for Capstone Projects associated with national-level professional development opportunities, following an application and selection process
- Empowerment Academies : Intervention and instruction opportunities we implement during February, April, and summer breaks, following an application and selection process