Grade Leader

About Atmosphere Academy

Atmosphere Academy is a SUNY-approved charter school that serves Bronx students and families in grades 6 through 12. Atmosphere's mission is to provide an "atmosphere" for learning in which students and teachers realize their potential as collaborative leaders. To realize this goal, Atmosphere has developed a suite of robust academic and enrichment programming that are designed to develop students’ skills, knowledge, and character. Similarly, the school promotes a professional culture for its staff that focuses on being a learning organization.

Position Overview

As a member of the Leadership Team the Grade Leader (GL) is in charge of a specific grade and the building the grade is located in. The GL manages and oversees the overall performance and functions across one grade level in the school, including academics, culture, and programs involving students, staff, and parents. The GL is primarily tasked with upholding and ensuring a proper “atmosphere” for learning within the grade level and among its key stakeholders. The GL plans, leads, and facilitates programs and events that promote and maintain a culture aligned with Atmosphere’s mission. The GL utilizes data-driven decision making in all facets of his or her work in order to make a proper assessment of student and teacher performance and then create targeted and appropriate interventions.

Qualifications

• At least five years relevant professional work experience, ideally in a charter school or other 6-12 education organization
• Prior experience as a school or educational leader preferred
• Educational leadership or administration degree preferred
• NYS certification preferred
• Quantitative skills and experience with management, supervision, evaluation, and instructional leadership
• Strong interpersonal skills and track record of collaborating with diverse stakeholders
• Strong communication, writing, and presentation skills
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail
• Relentless determination to do whatever it takes to help Atmosphere students succeed
• Proactive and creative problem-solver
• Values input and feedback
• Team-player capable of working both collaboratively and independently
• Strong recommendations from prior employers, colleagues, and employees

Responsibilities

Staff Management

• Conduct weekly building walkthroughs and informal observations with key stakeholders to ensure that staff performance, student performance, classroom culture, and hallway culture all exceed expectations and standards
• Formally co-observe each staff member with their direct supervisor in the building once per quarter
• Provide direction and guidance to staff as needed, to ensure that safety and best practices are prioritized
• Maintain accurate class schedules and staff assignments for all days for assigned grade level, including special events
• Assign coverages for their assigned grade level
• Inform staff of all need-to-know details about the grade level both in person and via email
• Lead all Grade Level Meetings
• Lead weekly grade council meetings involving operations and culture teams
• Plan, lead, and facilitate Professional Development as determined by the Leadership Team
• Support and lead special school days
• Coordinate staff workflow related to Student Success Plans (including, but not limited to behavior plans and academic intervention plans)

Student Management

• Conduct data-driven Achievement interventions
• Proctor make-up testing for exams and sprints as dictated by the Achievement Director
• Facilitate student academic team placements (w/ Staff)
• Oversee logistics and culture during after-school program for assigned grade level lead and facilitate grade level assemblies and special events
• Work with the Operations Manager, and Culture Associate to plan and facilitate field trips (rosters, permission slips, etc.)
• Support rewards trip at the direction of the Chief Program Officer (leading a group, creating rosters, receiving permissions slips, etc.)
• Contribute to award ceremonies (and/or graduation) by speaking to and inspiring cohort culture using data to drive home the message about progress and growth over time
• Collaborate with Program Associate and Chief Program Officer on the management and distribution of formal and informal uniforms
• Develop a Scholar Success Plan for each student in crisis (including, but not limited to behavior plans and academic intervention plans)

Family Management

• Ensure that all parents and students attend their PST conference as required
• Facilitate all Family Conferences for students in crisis and/or for parents in need
• Use data (qualitative and quantitative) to identify families in need of a meeting to improve their scholar’s practices or their parent practices, and then schedule and facilitate such meetings
• Field, monitor, and address parent concerns so as to improve student outcomes
• Serve as a grade level liaison to the Parent Alliance, work closely with the grade level Parent Leader to facilitate events and support the coordination of activities
• Develop Family Success Plans as needed
• Support the discipline process with the Culture Associate/Assistant, School Counselor or Social Worker, and CCO, including attending or co-leading any hearings or meetings
• Lead all meetings with families of scholars facing possible retention or summer school

Project Management

• Plan and coordinate all logistics related to annual grade level long term projects

Achievement Duties

• Facilitate instruction on designated Achievement Days
• Maintain a highly-engaged classroom setting that promotes good order and a love of learning
• Highlight student voices and promote student-led discovery of meaning

Other Duties

• The GL supports student enrollment as a member of the Enrollment Team to ensure successful student matriculation.
• Completing any and all other responsibilities as delegated and assigned by the Board of Trustees and the CEO
• Report on a monthly basis to the Officers as required (includes facilitating a data-driven conversation that leverages a grade level dashboard that the GL creates and maintains following a template provided by the school)

Equal Opportunity Employer

Atmosphere Academy Public Charter School is an equal opportunity employer and hires without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or disability.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $115,000.00 - $230,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Salary : $115,000 - $230,000