Position Description :
About Inwood Academy for Leadership
Inwood Academy for Leadership Charter School is a tuition-free public charter school that began as an idea among community members who longed to see more educational choices offered to the children of Washington Heights and Inwood.
All staff must be willing to commit to our mission :
Inwood Academy for Leadership Charter School will empower students in Inwood, Washington Heights and the Bronx to become agents for change through community-focused leadership, character development and college preparedness. Our staff regard our student leaders as burgeoning assets to their community and help them develop the tools they need to be successful in college and beyond. IAL is committed to providing a well-rounded educational experience for all students we serve. We are looking for candidates who are hardworking, flexible, and innovative as well as able to embody the IAL traits of leadership in their daily work (honesty, integrity, responsibility, caring and restraint).
Reporting to the Chief Schools Officer
The High School Director will model and exemplify IAL's standards for leadership while providing oversight and support for the staff, students and families at Inwood Academy. The HS Director will lead through intentional modeling, coaching and development of students and staff. This role will be the point person for all facets of academics that have a direct impact on student learning and development. This position serves as an instructional and curriculum expert that embodies the educational philosophy and current educational trends and best practices, including educational research, brain research, and successful teaching practices. Examples include the monitoring of classroom instruction and management of all internal and external student assessment data. This role ensures that all students leave the 8th grade ready for high school, academically, socially and emotionally.
Reports To : CSO
The High School Director will implement the strategic direction for the High School and will embody;
- A deep understanding of and a passion to support Inwood Academys mission
- A readiness to embody Inwood Academys core values of belonging, growth, and leadership
- The desire to see students succeed in life through a quality, equitable education which means that all students learn at high levels - not by lowering the bar, but by helping students reach it
Strategic Priorities and Opportunities as a Member of the Leadership Team Include :
Collaborate closely with staff, parents, and fellow administrators to foster positive, productive relationships that support school-wide goalsLead the design and implementation of a comprehensive school-wide schedule that aligns with the schools mission, integrates programmatic objectives, and reflects best practices while meeting the diverse academic and developmental needs of studentsIdentify leadership potential in staff and provide opportunities for growth, mentorship, and professional development to build leadership capacitySeek out and implement innovative strategies to enrich students academic, social, and emotional development while promoting holistic growth and learning experiencesCreate an inclusive, collaborative environment where teachers actively contribute to school planning, decision-making processes, and the development of new initiativesExplore opportunities to nurture a strong, connected K-12 community, ensuring continuity and shared values across grade levelsResearch, evaluate, and implement systems and practices that allow all students to access the full range of IAL programs and resources without barriersMaintain a consistent, visible presence throughout the school, modeling positive relationships, strong character, and behavior aligned with IALs core valuesRecognize and celebrate achievements by students, teachers, and staff through events, programs, and recognition efforts that highlight and sustain a positive school cultureDuties of the HS Director :
Lead all aspects of Inwood Academys High School operations, including day-to-day schedules, events, and activities specific to the high school and K-12-wide initiativesServe as the key driver of the schools vision, ensuring alignment with organizational goalsClearly articulate the schools mission, programs, philosophy, and behavioral expectations to ensure all stakeholdersstudents, staff, and familiesare fully informed of their roles and responsibilities within the school communityEnsure the appropriate use of data to develop critical goals focused on improving student achievement across all content areasOversee the analysis and interpretation of assessment and performance data to monitor the progress of each student and the effectiveness of teaching practicesEnsure the implementation of timely interventions and supportive practices to help students meet or exceed their achievement goalsOversee the Dean of School Culture to ensure that arrival, lunch, dismissal, transitions, and other shared spaces reflect the schools vision for a safe and positive environmentServe as a visible presence in these areas as needed to reinforce expectations and support student behaviorPrioritize leadership development for themselves, colleagues, staff, and students to foster a culture of growth and continuous improvement school-wideImplement, monitor, and assess school-wide key initiatives to ensure progress and effectiveness, using data to drive decision-making and necessary adjustmentsWork with staff to communicate and uphold the student code of conductAddress and maintain student discipline consistently with school policies while providing the necessary support to staff and students in behavioral interventionsSupport students, staff, and families through orientation programs and ongoing connection to the school community, ensuring a smooth transition for new membersDirect and assist in the planning and execution of school assemblies, programs, and a comprehensive calendar of eventsServe as the primary communicator to the entire school community to keep them informed about programs and activitiesProvide oversight of school curriculum and assessments to ensure alignment with state and district standardsOversee Academic Deans as they coach teachers on classroom management, research-informed instructional practices, and adherence to school policiesProvide guidance on curriculum implementation, teaching methods, and grading policies to support student successEnsure that teachers work in collaborative groups to plan and discuss effective instruction, curriculum, assessments, and student progressGuide and oversee the grading and reporting processes, ensuring consistent and accurate methods for measuring student progress and achievement across all subject areasMaintain clear, timely, and relevant communication with parents, facilitating effective teacher-parent partnerships to support student growth and successCoordinates a master class schedule which supports the individual needs of students including the provision of intervention and enrichment supportsWork closely with the operations team to support student retention, family engagement, and overall school success through coordinated effortsEnsure compliance with district, state, and federal regulations in all aspects of school operations.Collaborate with the K-12 Literacy Coordinator to design and implement effective reading interventions, literacy strategies, and best practicesPartner with the Director of College and Career Success to ensure that post-secondary planning and student career readiness initiatives are effectively implemented and aligned with the schools overall visionEnsure consistent literacy progress through data-driven instruction and targeted teacher supportProvide oversight of the high school afterschool program, ensuring alignment with academic, cultural, and extracurricular goals to support students overall developmentOversee discretionary and school-wide budgets to ensure that fiscal, technological, and physical resources support effective instruction and student successMaintain clear and timely communication with parents, encouraging strong teacher-parent collaboration to support student growthEnsure alignment with the Highly Reliable Schools Framework (HRS) and work collaboratively with school leadership teams to identify and implement improvement goals and benchmarks.Key Competencies :
Demonstrates a strong working knowledge of adolescent development, tailoring interventions and support to address the academic, emotional, and social needs of diverse learnersSees professional development and ongoing feedback as an opportunity for growth and actively seeks coaching, feedback, and learning experiences to continually improve as a leaderExhibits a deep commitment to coaching and developing faculty and staff, fostering a professional culture where growth and achievement are supported and celebratedOversees and sustains an academic program that supports students from diverse backgrounds and prepares them to excel in mainstream educational and career environmentsDisplays intellectual curiosity and a growth mindset while demonstrating cultural awareness and sensitivityRecognizes and values the diverse backgrounds of students, staff, and families to create a positive, inclusive learning environmentPossesses experience in faculty evaluation and effectively builds collaborative teams by fostering trust, cooperation, and collective responsibilityManages shifting priorities and handles challenges effectively, with strategic problem-solving skills, diplomacy, and tactful decision-makingEnsures that teaching practices, curriculum, and school culture promote inclusivity, equity, and a commitment to diversity, creating a safe and welcoming space for all studentsEarns the trust of the school community by demonstrating that all decisions are guided by the best interests of students, and ensures that staff and students perceive the school as safe, supportive, and culturally responsivePerforms other duties as assigned by the Chief Schools Officer to support the schools mission, culture, and organizational successMinimum Qualifications :
Masters in Education LeadershipFive years of teaching experience and at least three years of school leadership demonstrating a commitment to serve students from underserved communitiesExperience and empathy to be a mentor to faculty and staff and a key resource to parentsStrong interpersonal skills and collaborative working styleAbility to manage difficult conversationsEnergy, optimism and a sense of humor necessary to take joy in the leadership of a school and its communityFluency in Spanish PreferredCompensation :
IAL offers a competitive compensation package including medical, dental and vision insurance, a 403B retirement plan with 5% match. In addition to extensive professional development, our teachers are equipped with all necessary instructional supplies and technology.
Disclaimer
As an equal opportunity employer, we hire and promote without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability.
Salary : $145,000 - $165,000
