Assistant Principal-Middle School

Newton Public Schools • Newton, MA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Provides overall support to the middle school principal. Specific areas of responsibility include: shaping a positive school climate, providing educational leadership and assuring the smooth day-to-day operation of the school.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree or higher in education administration, special education or related field
• Massachusetts DESE licensure as an middle school teacher and/or special education teacher required; eligible for license as a middle school principal or special education
• Five or more years of successful teaching experience, preferably at the middle school level required, reflecting a comprehensive understanding of teaching and learning
• Demonstrated ability to perform the responsibilities below as evidenced by course work, educational experience, school-level involvement and/or system wide professional activities, and the interview process
• Ability to handle a multitude of varying and complex issues
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Solid technological skills
• Demonstrated organizational skills

Nice To Haves

• Experience in school administration or related field desired, but not required

Responsibilities

• Shaping a Positive School Climate: Proactively manage discipline, build a respectful school community, and implement alternative disciplinary measures. Uphold high expectations for student behavior and guide staff in creating a positive classroom climate and consistent approach to behavioral infractions. Investigate incidents and administer consequences fairly, including suspensions and detentions, to reduce inappropriate classroom behavior, bullying, harassment, and fighting.
• Family Engagement and Collaboration: Ensure all families feel welcome and can contribute to school effectiveness. Maintain respectful communication, understanding and appreciating different families’ home language, culture, and values. Proactively reach out to families as concerns arise and work towards equitable solutions. Develop strong rapport and trust with parents to ensure parents and faculty work in concert to support their children.
• School Safety: Assure the building is properly staffed and students are well supervised. Maintain a safe school environment, both physically and psychologically. Implement and support school-wide routines, policies, and systems to prevent and address bullying, harassment, and other behaviors that threaten students’ social and emotional well-being. Develop and implement culturally sensitive policies that acknowledge diverse backgrounds, identities, strengths, and challenges. Respond to emergencies and urgent situations.
• Articulation: Work closely with guidance staff to ensure smooth articulation of students from elementary to middle school and middle to high school. Lead the 6th Grade orientation program.
• Monitoring Student Attendance: Supervise teachers and clerical staff in recording, reviewing, and ensuring student attendance. Work with students and families in cases of attendance problems.
• Providing Educational Leadership: Observe and evaluate teaching staff. Work to ensure effective instruction throughout the school through goal-setting conferences, regular observations, written feedback, summative evaluations, and ongoing class visits. Ensure teachers know and employ effective teaching strategies and practices. Model for educators how to identify each student’s academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs. Provide targeted support to educators.
• Team Leadership: Meet regularly with teams to discuss student needs and shape curriculum development. Lead educator teams to develop and implement a comprehensive assessment strategy, including informal and formative assessments aligned across grade levels and subject areas. Provide time and support for teams to review assessment data and identify interventions.
• School Leadership as Part of the Administrative Team: Meet with the principal to implement school initiatives and refine school policies. Chair faculty committees, including hiring committees. Represent the school at district-wide meetings. Participate in Community Based Justice program meetings.
• Establishing, implementing and/or supporting systems, plans, procedures and routines that assure the smooth day-to-day operation of the school: Create, implement, and adjust a master schedule to maximize uninterrupted instructional time. Assign students to teams and classes. Organize daily building coverage, monitor student activities, and respond to crises. Organize and schedule supervision duties for staff. Recommend, supervise, and evaluate ISS faculty and issue daily assignments. Find coverage among aides or other staff when ISS is unavailable. Oversee standardized testing, including MCAS scheduling, oversight, and supervision. Develop and coordinate crisis procedures, including evacuation, shelter-in-place, and lockdown procedures. Plan and supervise school-wide activities such as dances, parents’ nights, field trips, and end-of-year events. Attend and supervise school-wide events taking place outside of regular school hours.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level