Head of School

Job Summary

Under administrative direction, is responsible for leading the activities, operations, and continual improvement of an early learning school as part of the City's Pre-K 4 SA program that focuses on all areas of development that prepare children for school success. Responsibilities include overseeing the implementation of culturally responsive instruction that encourages the social, physical, emotional, linguistic, and intellectual growth of children; ensuring that the school provides the highest quality early education to young children and support for their families in order to lay the necessary foundation for later school success; and articulating the school's vision and model to the community and encouraging community support and involvement in accomplishing the mission. Exercises direct supervision over staff.

This position is funded by sales tax that has been approved by the citizens of San Antonio for a limited time period. This position, therefore, is subject to at-will employment status, is unclassified, and has no disciplinary appeal rights to the Municipal Civil Service Commission.

Work Location
7031 S New Braunfels Ave, San Antonio, TX 78223 (Pre-K 4 SA South Education Center)

Work Hours
7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; Monday - Friday

Essential Job Functions

• Ensures outstanding instructional leadership. Works collaboratively with the Instructional Leadership team to ensure every classroom is characterized by high-quality, developmentally appropriate instruction aligned to best practice.
• Systematically uses data to evaluate and improve the instructional program to meet the needs of diverse learners.
• Uses current research to select, modify, and design curriculum that supports the development of language, literacy, math, science, and social emotional foundations in young learners with diverse backgrounds and needs.
• Continuously monitors curriculum implementation to ensure curriculum is implemented with fidelity.
• Implements systems to ensure quality and accountability. Continuously drives improvement through ongoing assessment of child progress and outcomes, instructional quality, and program quality. Uses data to evaluate and improve instructional materials, teaching strategies, curriculum, and professional development.
• Cultivates exceptional school staff with a passion for the mission of Pre-K 4 SA and eager to be accountable to high expectations. Sets high-performance expectations for all staff and provides the support and supervision necessary for staff to meet them.
• Interviews, selects, supervises, develops, evaluates, counsels, and if necessary, disciplines personnel according to established COSA policies, procedures, and guidelines; provides or coordinates training and works with employees to correct deficiencies; and assists in implementing and administering disciplinary and termination procedures.
• Develops outstanding educators with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to deliver high-quality early learning and care.
• Conducts professional learning aligned with current research and best practices.
• Uses systematic, data-driven observation and feedback to create individualized professional growth plans for teachers.
• Establishes a clear culture focused on excellence and equity.
• Inspires all staff with a vision of the possibilities created for children and families through access to high-quality early learning and care.
• Fosters collegiality, includes teachers in decision-making, resolves conflicts openly and effectively, and develops a culture where driving toward academic goals and excellence in spite of obstacles is valued.
• Models and encourages culturally responsive family engagement that builds on the strengths and interests of families.
• Develops authentic relationships with families; creates a welcoming environment for families.
• Keeps families informed through multiple modes of communication; seeks input from families; and includes families in decision-making.
• Supports the mission of Pre-K 4 SA by hosting school tours, presenting to visiting professionals, and promoting the program's goals and outcomes in the community.
• Coordinates the preparation of the annual budget and monitors the budget to ensure it reflects the proper funding levels, expenditures and revenues, and develops corrective action plans when warranted.
• Manages the receipt of tuition payments from parents.
• Coordinates with corporate offices on the delivery of nutrition services, transportation, custodial services, maintenance, and instructional technology.
• Actively supports recruitment, enrollment, and retention of children and families.
• Manages center compliance, regulatory requirements, and accreditation.
• Performs related duties and fulfills responsibilities as required.

Job Requirements

• Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in education administration, early childhood education, or related field with 9 credit-bearing hours of specialized college-level course work in educational leadership, along with at least 24 credit-bearing hours of specialized college-level coursework in early childhood education, child development, or early childhood special education.
• Three (3) years of experience as a teacher.
• Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in educational administration or instructional leadership (non-classroom).
• Valid Class "C" Texas Driver's License
• Valid principal or childcare center director certification

• Spanish Language Skills (reading, writing, speaking)

• If selected for this position, official transcripts, diplomas, certifications and licenses must be submitted at the time of processing. Unofficial transcripts and copies of other relevant documents may be attached to the application for consideration in advance.
• Please be advised that if selected for this position, information regarding employment history as it relates to the qualifications of the position will be needed for employment verification. Applicants claiming military service to meet the experience requirement for this position may attach a DD214 to the application.
• Unless otherwise stated, applicants are permitted to substitute two years of related full-time experience for one year of higher education or one year of related higher education for two years of experience in order to meet the minimum requirements of the job. One year of full-time experience is defined as 30 or more hours worked per week for 12 months. One year of higher education is defined as 30 credit hours completed at an accredited college or university.
• Applicants selected for employment with the City of San Antonio in this position must receive satisfactory results from pre-employment drug testing and background checks. If required for the position, a physical, motor vehicle record evaluation, and additional background checks may be conducted.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of child growth and development including how young children develop language, literacy, math, and socio-emotional foundations.
• Knowledge of best practices in early childhood education; and curriculum design, implementation, evaluation, and refinement.
• Knowledge of curriculum and the instructional needs of young multilingual learners.
• Knowledge of curriculum and the instructional needs of young learners with special needs.
• Knowledge of technology and how it is used to improve children's learning outcomes.
• Ability to model high-quality teaching practices for young children, including active engagement.
• Knowledge of education law; and childcare licensing, regulation, and accreditation.
• Ability to interpret and apply Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, and laws.
• Skill in operating a personal computer and associated software programs
• Ability to manage a school in start-up as well as more established stage.
• Ability to improve a diverse group of young learners' academic performance.
• Ability to manage, supervise, hire, train, evaluate, retain, and dismiss staff.
• Ability to observe teachers in the classroom, diagnose key opportunities for improvement, and instill and/or encourage teachers' eagerness to further develop their effectiveness.
• Ability to work with families and understand the value in cultivating parent outreach and partnerships.
• Ability to prepare and administer a complex budget.
• Ability to customize teacher professional development based on classroom observation.
• Ability to build relationships with staff, families, school district leaders, other school leaders, and community.
• Ability to assess student progress in social, physical, emotional, linguistic, and intellectual areas.
• Ability to select, adjust, and implement student curricula.
• Ability to manage high-quality teacher training.
• Ability to perform all the physical requirements of the position with or without accommodations.