Job Description - Principal in Residence:
Vista College Prep staff are committed to closing the achievement gap. VCP's joyful, urgent, intentional culture underscores all we do to make our schools a proof point for what is possible for all students in Arizona. The Principal in Residence will participate in a one-year fellowship designed to help build an urban middle school of uncompromising excellence. This fellowship includes the study of the highest performing schools across the country, focusing on building a strong curriculum designed to close the achievement gap and researching the strongest instructional programs and behavior management systems. The Principal in Residence will also have extensive exposure to leadership roles at VCP's existing campuses and the Principals' Responsibilities to set a powerful vision for student achievement, motivate others to follow that vision and execute on that vision through effective planning, leadership and management.

Responsibilities

Student Achievement

• Support the Principal in leading and overseeing the school's instructional program (curriculum and assessment)
  
  
• Analyze student achievement data as well as teacher performance data on variety of metrics, both quantitative and qualitative, and use information to collaborate with the Principal and teaching staff;
  
  
• Ensure that every student shows dramatic achievement gains and that the school meets the ambitious performance goals set by Vista College Prep
  
  
• Coordinate administration of all standardized student assessments and evaluations, including state assessments, interim assessments, and nationally normed assessments;
  
  

Student Culture and Discipline

• Teach and reinforce VCP's school-wide behavior management systems;
• Build positive relationships with students grounded in respect, enthusiasm, achievement, courage, hard work
• and self-determination through structured social-emotional learning;
• Ensure that behavioral expectations and school culture standards are met inside of the classroom as well as outside, including supervision and support of behavior and culture during bus rides, cafeteria/meal times, enrichment, and dismissal;
• Maintain accurate student discipline records, documenting all conferences, suspensions, and phone calls for behavior;

Teacher Development and Evaluation

• Effectively manage a team of teachers and staff members including recruitment, selection, evaluation, supervision, retention, and dismissal
  
  
• Plan and deliver appropriate professional development for all teachers;
  
  
• Lead faculty to ensure that all staff are providing well-managed and rigorous daily lessons, reasonable and effective daily homework, and regular and productive interventio ns;
  
  
• Hold teachers accountable for meeting high standards for student academic and behavioral performance;
  
  
• Support the creation of a calendar for school-wide and grade-wide professional development sessions;
  
  
• Work with staff to foster consistency in enforcing the Student and Family Handbook and other school-wide discipline policies;
  
  
• Working with the Operations leader, manage teachers' administrative duties, and school-wide administrative tasks (e.g. report cards, classroom libraries);
  
  

Parent and Family Engagement

• Maintain communication and relations with the families of Vista College Prep, ensuring they are kept involved with and held accountable for their children's academic and behavioral performance, including attendance
  
  
• Communicate regularly with families regarding student performance and academic achievement;
  
  
• Respond to family concerns promptly and effectively;
  
  
• Support staff in coordinating family meetings and special events;
  
  
• Participate in home visits at the start of every year for new-to-Vista College Prep families;
  
  

School Leadership

• Participate in regular leadership team meetings at the school level and network level
• Lead staff trainings at start and end of school year and on professional development days
• Lead student community meetings (i.e. morning motivation);
• Co-manage assigned aspects of school-wide routines such as lunch procedures and before/after-school plans;
• Continuously improve effectiveness of instructional coaching, using the performance rubric as a guide;
• Participate in additional activities including field trips, intensive academic support sessions, and other required programs as needed throughout year.

The ideal candidates will also possess the following Qualifications:

• Mastery of and enthusiasm for academic subjects and instructional coaching;
  
  
• Track record of producing dramatic, demonstrable student achievement gains or comparable results in their current field;
  
  
• Ability to approach situations with optimism and perseverance;
  
  
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
  
  
• Excellent organizational skills and extremely careful attention to detail and follow-through;
  
  
• Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree; Master's degree preferred; Minimum of four years teaching and/or coaching teachers in urban public school setting preferred, but not required;
  
  
• Experience as a Dean, AP, or equivalent leadership role and/or at a high-performing charter school highly preferred but not required;
  
  
• Spanish proficiency or fluency preferred, but not required;
  
  
• Valid IVP fingerprint clearance card.
  
  

Apply Today! Email a resume and cover letter to Bridget White at bwhite@vistacollegeprep.org . Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

About Vista College Prep: Vista College Prep is a high-performing K-8 tuition-free, public charter school educating a high minority and low-income student population. We firmly believe that demographics does not determine destiny and that all students should have access to an excellent education. Learn more at www.vistacollegeprep.org .

As an equal opportunity employer, Vista College Prep hires without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability. People from all diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.