Description

Perspectives Charter Schools Network is seeking an Instructional Leader for the 2024 - 2025 school year!

About Perspectives Charter Schools

At Perspectives, our A Disciplined Life® education model teaches the whole child. We combine academic rigor, social emotional learning, and experiential opportunities to establish a culture of trust, curiosity and achievement. As one of the first charter schools in Illinois and founded by teachers, our mission is to provide students with a holistic, rigorous and relevant education, based on the ethical principles of A Disciplined Life®, preparing them for life in a changing world and helping them further become intellectually reflective, caring and ethical people engaged in a meaningful life. With 5 schools in three campuses, the Perspectives network has served public school students in grades 6 -12 on our city’s southside for over 20 years. Our scholars come from some of the most disadvantaged neighborhoods in the country and graduate from high school with a plan to enroll in college or trade school, and take with them the tools to persist in college and career. The keys to our success are our dedicated, hard‐working, creative, and compassionate colleagues.

Perspectives’ Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Statement

We are committed to reducing barriers and fostering an anti-racist, non-discriminatory and inclusive environment by internalizing our core values of A Disciplined Life® and ensuring that our practices allow our diverse population of students and staff to grow, thrive, and excel. 

Job Purpose

At Perspectives, we pride ourselves in the quality of support that we give to our students and we commit to an equitable and inclusive education for all. Our instructional leaders embody how to live the 26 principles of A Disciplined Life® while also performing functions and duties that guide and support teachers to both adhere to and excel in state standards for their curriculum. The instructional leader builds and maintains a teaching staff committed to raising standardized test scores and serves as an advocate for social justice, the development of character, and the right to receive and pursue an exceptional education.

Duties and Responsibilities

Academic Rigor 

• Provide leadership in the development of improved classroom instruction, student performance and discipline
• Develop and manage goals and objectives for curriculum alignment
• Analyze teacher progress and performance; provide formal and informal evaluations
• Provide opportunities for professional development based on individual and organizational growth
• Ensure comprehension of student performance on standardized test scores; implement classroom practices to increase test scores
• Research and shape best practices, curriculums and school-wide projects
• Develop teacher meeting agendas in conjunction with administration and facilitate teacher meetings
• Coach teachers in learning the A Disciplined Life way of teaching
• Provide recommendations for teacher retention
• Provide leadership in the development of improved classroom instruction, student performance, discipline, and evaluation
• Provide a framework for curriculum, teaching practices and the Perspectives Way
• Develop and manage goals and objectives for curriculum alignment
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Assessment Coordination
  • Attend annual and quarterly training/meetings previewing protocols for ACT, IAR, ACCESS, HSAT, ISA, and AP testing.
  • Ensure 100% school compliance and timely submission of materials
  • Deliver staff professional development training pertaining to high-stakes testing
  • Meet biweekly in assessessment coordinate do-tank reviewing best practices
  • Organizing test prep materials and tutoring services, if applicable.
• MTSS Academic Leadership
  • Meet biweekly with MTSS leadership team to review data and strategically plan student interventions
  • Track and ensure the consistent completion of academic screeners
  • Track and coordinate all educational technology resources related to intervention, including but not limited to iReady, iXL, Really Great Reading, Read 180, and Math 180
  • Ensure MTSS intervention compliance by monitoring staffs' task completion in Branching Minds and observing classroom delivery of academic interventions

Social Emotional & Ethical Learning

• Demonstrate the 26 principles of A Disciplined Life
• Build meaningful and professional relationships with staff, students and families
• Coach teachers in learning the A Disciplined Life way of teaching.

Experiential Learning

• Provide opportunities for professional development in best instructional practices 

Characteristics You Bring to the Team:

• A unwavering belief in the power of inclusion and a commitment to equity in order to narrow the gap within the gap for students with disabilities
• A strong commitment to live by the 26 principles of A Disciplined Life and a belief that all students in Chicago deserve an excellent education
• A willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve outstanding student outcomes
• A commitment to life-long learning with the desire to take advantage of professional development and coaching to constantly improve
• The ability to make firm decisions in the areas of responsibility.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

Qualifications

Education: 

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with a certification in the required instructional area

Experience: 

• Evidence of success working in an urban school environment strongly preferred but not required.
• Evidence of at least five years of classroom/school experience 
• Experience evaluating and analyzing others’ work
• Ability to develop and foster successful teacher/student relationships
• Proven ability to work well with diverse constituents
• The ability to make firm decisions in the areas of responsibility.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

Physical Demands

Position requires availability for extended hours plus non-traditional hours required to perform job duties. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Ability to work on-site while following safety protocols.
• Nature of work requires an ability to operate standard business office equipment. Requires the ability to communicate and exchange information, collect, compile and prepare work documents, set-up and maintain work files. 
• Majority of work will be performed in a general office/school environment.
• Physical demands require the ability to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach or pull with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl around the classroom and kneel upwards of 60% of the day. Must be able to stand for long periods of time (up to 8 hours) and quickly ascend/descend stairs and/or being able to walk up and down stairs several times a day. Constant use of eyes (correctable vision to normal level required) to observe, read, interact with public and co-workers, view security monitors; includes hand/eye coordination
• Must be able to lift 15 to 20 pounds for short periods of time and push and pull 30 to 40 lbs. 

Travel

Majority of work will be performed in a general office/school environment. This position may require participation and attendance at organization sponsored events and meetings. Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-area travel may be expected.

Benefits Summary

Perspectives offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package for all full-time employees, including:

• Comprehensive and competitive benefits package 
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off including holidays
• Company 403B plan with a 4% match if applicable
• Company contribution towards the Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund if applicable
• Paid life insurance
• Paid short and long term disability.
• ISBE-approved professional development provider

Perspectives Charter Schools works affirmatively to include diversity among its workforce and does not discriminate in the selection of its staff on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, income, marital status, or any other dimension of diversity. We encourage diverse candidates to apply for this position.