Position Type:
Administration/Principal

Date Posted:
3/24/2023

Location:
Resurrection College Prep High School

POSITION PROSPECTUS:
BUILDING PRINCIPAL

2023

Resurrection College Prep High School is a Catholic com- munity in the Lasallian tradition, dedicated to the educa- tion of young women, and to the development of their
God-given talents. Convinced of God's unconditional love and nourished by the Risen Lord Jesus Christ, we are com- mitted to the spiritual, ethical, intellectual, physical and social growth of our students.

Since the fall of 2020, Resurrection College Prep High School has been joyfully sponsored by the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, known as the De La Salle Christian Brothers. Resurrection exists within the broader Lasallian network, including the Christian Brothers of the Midwest Dis- trict which is one of four districts within the Lasallian Region of North America (RELAN). Lasallian education is rooted in the mission of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, patron saint of teachers, who founded the Christian Brothers more than 340 years ago. Today, the Christian Brothers and their Lasallian
Partners, such as Resurrection, continue to educate those entrusted to their care and to respond to students through advancements in teaching, technology and scholarship.

The Christian Brothers continue to call their schools to look to the future with joy and hope, animat- ed by a deep faith. For this reason, the Lasallian mission and schools declare that:

1. We firmly believe that children and young people are a call to hope and commitment.
2. We believe that in the faces of the impoverished and vulnerable we find God's saving power.
3. We believe in the inspiring and mediating power of the educator.
4. We believe that the educational community is a core component in the building up of the person and the transmission of values.
5. We believe that our Lasallian association is a gift from God to the world and an extraordinary means to continue the legacy received from our living three-hundred year heritage.
6. We believe that education makes possible the search for and transmission of the truth.
7. We believe that education is a fundamental, powerful and productive resource for the care of the Earth and the defense of the habitat where life can flourish and sustain itself.
8. We believe in the transforming capacity of education.
9. We believe that Lasallian education is an expression of Christian humanism.
10. We believe in the evangelizing power of the school.
11. We believe that today's realities demand taking risks and being creative.
12. We believe that another world is possible, and that education is a fundamental force for building it.

Resurrection College Prep | Position Prospectus: Building Principal 2023

Established by the Sisters of the Resurrection in 1922, Resurrection has a strong history of inspiring and nurturing young women to discover their God-given talents by preparing them for success in college, career, and life. With an enrollment of
460 students and the largest projected incoming class in over five years, Resurrection serves a motivated student popula- tion from across the city and suburbs, representing over 115 private and public grammar schools. Since its founding, Resur- rection has graduated nearly 15,000 alumnae and continues to shape young women to become society leaders.

In the last ten years, the institution has invested significant resources to secure the long-term strength and functionality of the building infrastructure and grounds to support future, planned enhancements to the learning environments. Most recently, Resurrection has seen the completion of projects that continue to strengthen academics at Resurrection, including the creation of two STREAM lab spaces (the second of which will took place in summer of 2021) and an Innovationm Lab (similar to a makerspace).

Along with Dr. Piwowarski, our school's first lay person to serve as President, the Principal will join a leadership team focused on the total intellectual and spiritual formation of young women.

Since its founding in 1922 and continuing to the present, Resurrection continues to be committed to providing a rigorous and responsive college preparatory academ- ic program that will stretch students to discover their full potential while preparing them for a lifetime of learning.
Owing to a variety of educational and formational programs and learning tracks, Resurrection ensures that all students are academically challenged and supported. Students re- ceive an unparalleled learning experience that reflects re-
search-based best practices in technology integration and instructional methods, data-driven instructor best practices, and as of 2021-2022, a solid ground- ing in the core Lasallian principles.

Depending on current student interests, demonstrated intellectual abilities, and future life goals, a student is placed within one of the school's four learning environments that best suits her as an individual to ensure growth in each area of learning: Advanced Placement (college-level courses; AP exam required for college credit), honors college preparatory (for students with high interest, motivation, and ability), college preparatory (classes that challenge the college-bound student), and college preparatory with support (classes that challenge the college-bound student while pro- viding additional support for critical thinking and skill review). However, our curriculum is flexible to the point where, within the course of a program, the course of study may be altered to best support the evolving needs of our students.

A regular course of study includes classes in English, religion, mathematics, science, social studies, and world language (Italian or Spanish). The curriculum is augmented with instruction in wellness (physical education and health), artistic expression (dance, drama, music, visual arts), speech/ financial literacy, and a variety of electives including Law, a large variety of Advanced Placement courses, and an ever-evolving FLEX program.

Starting in the fall of 2019, Resurrection began offering a STREAM program for incoming first-year students. In this mission-centered approach to teaching science, technology, religion, engineering, art, and math, students make connec- tions across each of these disciplines grounded in a Catho- lic world view. Students who choose to enroll in the STREAM program are provided a unique four-year course of study designed to prepare them to become leaders in emerging career and research fields.

Through fine arts at Resurrection, young women are provided opportunities to develop the whole person. The visual arts explore the basics of drawing, color theory, and design through experi- ence with a variety of art media. Newer course offerings include digital photography and graphic design. In drama, students develop performance skills and theatrical knowledge through class instruction activities and co-curricular school plays. Students expand vocal and instrumental talents through class work and concert performances. Students learn the history of dance, as well as ex- plore and perform various dance styles. Students can also develop an enriched understanding of dance with participation in the Orchesis dance team.

Resurrection implements a block schedule, supplemented with an extensive variety of honor societies and extracurricular clubs and programs to logistically support and expand upon the class- room curriculum. The Student Support Services Division, which houses our Rankin Academic Sup- port Program, Practicum Program, General Academic and Career Counseling, and College/Career Planning, supports the overall social/emotional learning of our students by ensuring equitable academic, college and career readiness. The newly instituted Office of Mission and Ministry, which includes staff in Campus Ministry and Chaplaincy, partners with our stakeholders to ensure the spiritual formation of the young women entrusted to our care.

With more than fifty (50) clubs and numerous honor societ- ies offer additional opportunities within each of the various disciplines. Resurrection fosters the athletic formation of its young women via 26 teams in 12 competitive sports. The student-athletes learn to excel physically and academically with integrity, respect, and perseverance resulting in real-life leadership skill development. Proudly, almost half of our stu- dent body participates in the athletic program which includes cross country, golf, swimming, tennis, volleyball, basketball, bowling, lacrosse, soccer, softball, and track and field. With over 22 acres of land, the campus has ample space for teams to practice and compete. Outdoor spaces include two softball fields, a soccer field, a lacrosse field, and track.

Student life at Resurrection enhances the learning that transpires within the classroom and on the fields. Our extensive student life also gives them the opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities that allow them to explore their talents and passions and deepen their under- standing of themselves and their relationship to God.

Resurrection creates opportunities for students to stretch beyond their comfort zone and develop personal interests, leadership opportunities, and life-long friendships. Through extracurricular activities, mentoring programs, and over 40 clubs and activities and 11 honor soci- eties, there is something for every girl - from yearbook to Math Club, Celtic Club to Chess Club, Girls Who Code to Key Club, Broadcasters Club to Liturgical Choir, Student Council to National Honor Society. The alumnae base also provides students with examples of and access to strong, accomplished role models through mentorship in the Practicum Job Shadowing Program, during Alumnae Career Days, and as speakers and visitors to classes and clubs.

At Resurrection, students are encouraged to "enter to learn and leave to serve." In connection with the four year religion curriculum, students discover how their learning can be integrated into real-world experiences that encourage greater faith and spiritual growth for the transfor- mation of society.

As young Lasallians, students are accompanied by the Mission & Ministry staff on a four year journey, where they have the opportunity to participate in a number of formation experiences such as:

Planning & participating in all-school monthly liturgical experiences

• Participate in our annual ENCOUNTER yearly retreat program & Kairos retreats
• Access to additional formation experiences in the new Mission & Ministry Center
• Access to immersion and service trip opportunities through the new L.I.V.E. program

Additionally, the school chapel is open daily for students to use for prayer and reflection, as well as adoration, liturgy, and reconciliation.

Resurrection students live out the school motto of "Charity and Truth" through a four-year com- prehensive Faith Integration Service Program. Students access targeted service experiences, ac- companied with reflection, with a special emphasis placed on the Lasallian core principle of con- cern for the poor and social justice. Students develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for the Christian, Lasallian vocation to service.

Each class level focuses on a particular aspect of service yearly beginning with service to the family and community and then culminating with service to the community and the marginalized.

Building on its rich history, the next Principal will be ex- pected to collaborate with the senior leadership team's ongoing efforts to raise the school's teaching and learning profile both in the local community and in the wider world of secondary schools. The next Principal will need to be a dynamic and inspiring leader who will model the joy, en- ergy, professionalism, and high aspirations of the school while building on the school's solid historical platform and Catholic identity.

In particular, the next Principal should be mindful of the following opportunities and challenges:

1. Support the integration of the charism of the Christian Brothers of the Midwest into the spiritual, academic and athletic life of the student learner Coherently integrate the four major initiatives of the teaching and learning division: Understanding by Design (curriculum/instruc- tion), Datawise (assessment data/instruction), Multi-Tiered Student Support, and the Resur- rection Teacher Development Program/Danielson Framework (teacher development)

2. Develop programs and structures within teaching and learning that support learners from a variety of diverse backgrounds.

3. Leverage relationships with the admissions team and local building principals to ensure seam- less recruitment and transition of incoming student cohorts

4. Continue to advance the academic programs by cultivating the best practices of teaching and learning and by recruiting and retaining highly qualified faculty and administration

5. Ensure fidelity to the institutional mission of the teaching and learning division by collaborat- ing with senior building leaders and members of the governing board

The next Principal must be an innovative and generative leader with outstanding communication skills who can in- spire the Resurrection College Prep High School community and create demand for the unique gifts of the all-girls Cath- olic education.

To qualify for this outstanding opportunity, the next Princi- pal will need to be a practicing Catholic, with a willingness to develop a deep understanding of the Lasallian charism in addition to being a demonstrated leader with proven experience in secondary school environments. Resurrection recognizes that every great leader has to start somewhere; however, candidates without previous senior leadership roles (i.e. Principal, Assistant Principal) must demonstrate possession of skills that most often only come from those types of roles.

It is absolutely essential that the next Principal must be able to continue the considerable work done in teaching and learning while having the foresight to know where to guide the teaching and learning in the coming several years, especially in the post-COVID reality. Along with the President, the Principal is one of the most public-facing individuals of the institution. As such, this is a wonderful opportunity for a faith-filled leader to joyfully build on the past while creating new and responsive student experiences.

In lieu of a cover letter, please submit your resume and written response (no more than four pages) to the following four questions to Christina Marte, Chair of Principal Search Committee, at Cmarte@reshs.org.

1. We are a school for young women, not simply a school with young women. What does this mean to you? What are concrete examples of your past leadership experiences in which you supported a similar purpose?
2. Tell us about a time when you took responsibility for developing and/or leading a teacher team at your school. Please tell us the situation, the actions you took, and the result. What things did the team do well/not do well? How did you go about building their capacity? What did the teacher team accomplish? What did you learn from leading this team?
3. Give us an example of a time when you used data to identify and solve a specific problem or issue related to student achievement. Please tell us what data you used, why those data points were utilized, what the problem was, what actions you took, and the results/outcomes. What data do you believe is most informative for monitoring the progress of students in your school (i.e. what data would you look to for insights on academic progress, student social emotional wellness, and student attendance)? Please also provide context to the identified problem.
4. Tell us about a time when you implemented a strategy to involve parents to improve student achievement. Please tell us what you were trying to improve, the actions you took and the results/ outcomes. How would you involve parents in developing and achieving the vision for our school as the principal?

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled; however the priority deadline for resumes is March 31, 2023.

"God, who directs all things with wisdom and gentleness and who does not force our wills, wishing to have me take care of the schools, led me imperceptibly and over a long period of time from one commitment to another in a way I did not at all foresee in the beginning."
- St. John Baptist de La Salle

For more information on this position, please read the full description document.

• Position Prospectus- Building Principal.pdf