West Middle School Principal

Description

Under the supervision of the Superintendent of Schools and in accordance with the School Committee policies, oversee a comprehensive 6-8 middle school. The Principal is responsible for the effective management of the school in order to promote the educational development of each student.

Responsibilities

• Supervise the middle school's educational program.
• Monitor the implementation of school curriculum. Work with secondary program coordinators and content coaches to ensure content, scope, and sequence, which is appropriate for students' learning at different grade and developmental levels.
• Establish equitable and inclusive practices that will enable all students to achieve basic skill levels in the areas of critical thinking, reading, writing, listening, speaking, computation, scientific inquiry, technology, media, artistic expression, health, and physical movement.
• In consultation with the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning and the Executive Director of Secondary Instructional Operations, oversee the development, revision, and evaluation of curriculum to ensure high academic standards are met. Make recommendations for program development and curriculum revision to appropriate staff.
• Encourage various inclusive teaching methods and programs to promote student learning and the mainstreaming of special needs students into all core curricula and student activities.
• Work with the appropriate staff to ensure the integration of curriculum concepts and instructional materials into the school program, which reflect cultural responsiveness, civic responsibility, community service, historical awareness, and cultural and ethnic diversity.
• Work with the appropriate staff to implement and supervise the evaluation of instructional programs and interpret data to improve teaching and learning.
• Provide opportunities for students to research high school options through curricula and counseling services.
• Provide effective and dynamic leadership to students and faculty
• Communicate the middle school's vision, goals, long-range plans, needs, and accomplishments to students, staff, families and the community-at-large. Facilitate communication between groups effectively involving all parties in the educational process.
• Delegate authority to encourage staff initiative and participatory decision-making.
• Facilitate and implement effective educational policies and procedures in compliance with the directives of the Andover School Committee.
• Establish and enforce high standards of student conduct, and enforce discipline, as necessary, according to due process to the rights of students.
• Facilitate and implement comprehensive student support services and activities geared to serve the interests and needs of a diverse student body.
• Sponsor school events for staff, students, parents, and community to participate in appropriate areas of the educational process.
• Actively work with parents and PAC and School Council members to ensure effective communication on matters affecting school policy, program implementation, and student behavior.
• Institute and conduct an effective School Council.
• Meet regularly with the PAC organization encouraging its full involvement in the affairs of the school.
• Initiate, facilitate, and encourage programs to integrate parents into the educational life of the school.
• Plan and implement programs for parents, which will assist them in understanding the developmental needs of high school students and the role of the school in meeting these needs.
• Provide opportunities and encourage a strong program of volunteers in the school.
• Provide and encourage regular communication between the school administration and teachers with parents and community through items such as newsletters, progress reports, news articles, etc.
• Provide effective and efficient management of school staff and administration functions.
• Interview, train, supervise and evaluate the Assistant Principal.
• Interview, supervise, and evaluate staff, all certified and non-certified personnel with the assistance of appropriate designees.
• Promote middle school philosophy through regular meetings with Team Leaders.
• Encourage and support the development of all professional and administrative staff.
• Assist in the in-service orientation and mentoring of teachers and assure compliance with proper administrative procedures.
• Supervise the preparation of all school and bi-monthly reports for the Central Office
• In consultation with the School Business Administrator, prepare, draft, and revise a comprehensive school budget for classroom teachers, specialists, and all instructional personnel assigned full-time to his/her building; prepare this budget with the assistance of Team Leaders, teachers, and system wide administrators.
• Supervise the maintenance of accurate student and teacher records that protect privacy and confidentiality and are in compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Develop and implement school calendar and student and staff schedules.
• Oversee the maintenance, cleanliness and security of the school building and grounds while providing supervision of custodial personnel as needed.
• Conduct meetings of the staff as necessary for the proper functioning of the school.
• Actively seek out grants to augment school revenues for the purposes of curriculum and staff development and/or school improvement.
• Perform related duties as assigned or as responsibilities necessitate.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree and Massachusetts certification as a middle school principal. Evidence of study beyond Master's Degree preferred.
• Substantial experience as a middle school teacher and administrator. Experience as a middle school principal preferred.
• Effective interpersonal and leadership skills; experience facilitating communication between divergent groups and in-group decision-making.
• Demonstrated success in the development, evaluation and implementation of middle school curriculum, instruction, and scheduling.
• Effective administrative and management skills.
• Excellent speaking and writing skills, including the effective utilization of computers, technology, and information management tools.

Supplemental Information

Andover Public Schools (APS) seeks candidates who embody our ethos, which includes valuing the identities of all students, high expectations for all students, teaching excellence, collaboration, innovation, respect, and responsibility.

APS is committed to hiring and supporting a racially and ethnically diverse faculty and staff. Racially and ethnically diverse teachers produce a myriad of positive outcomes for all students, especially the most historically marginalized students.