Assistant Principal of School Culture & Climate

KIPP Capital Region Public Schools•Albany, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Principal of School Culture & Climate is responsible for leading the school's vision for a safe, inclusive, and achievement oriented culture where every student can thrive. This leader develops, implements, and continuously improves schoolwide systems that promote positive behavior, social-emotional learning, student engagement, attendance, and restorative practices. As a key member of the school leadership team, the Assistant Principal of School Culture & Climate partners closely with instructional leaders, teachers, families, and community stakeholders to ensure a consistent and equitable student experience. This role provides direct coaching, management, and development of Deans, Behavior Interventionists, Social Workers/School Counselors, Restorative Specialists, and other culture team members while using data to drive continuous improvement in school climate, behavior, and student outcomes.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree required.
Minimum of 5 years of successful experience in K–12 education, including experience in student culture, behavior management, student support services, or school leadership.
Minimum of 2 years of experience in a school-based leadership role (e.g., Assistant Principal, Dean of Students, Dean of School Culture, Director of School Culture, or equivalent), required.
Demonstrated experience leading schoolwide culture initiatives, including Restorative Practices, Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS).
Experience supervising, coaching, and developing adults, including teachers, Deans, Social Workers, or other student support staff.
Experience using student behavior, attendance, and climate data to drive school improvement and inform decision-making.
Demonstrated success building strong partnerships with students, families, and community organizations to improve student outcomes.
Ability to work a flexible schedule outside of regular business hours.
Aptitude to create and work within an inclusive environment that honors and supports a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives.
Read, write, and speak English fluently.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, student information systems, data platforms, and other educational technology tools.
Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and best practices related to student discipline, attendance, safety, special education, and student support services.

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree preferred from an accredited College or University
Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) certification or the ability to obtain certification upon hire preferred.
Preferred experience working directly with students, preferably required in the charter, private, or public school environment.
Prior experience working in schools and urban communities is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Serve as a member of the School Leadership Team, helping to develop and execute a vision for a joyful, structured, safe, and inclusive school culture.
Lead the implementation of schoolwide culture systems, including arrival, dismissal, transitions, community meetings, incentives, attendance, and student recognition.
Ensure schoolwide consistency in expectations for student behavior, routines, and restorative practices.
Partner with instructional leaders to ensure school culture supports academic excellence and student achievement.
Foster strong partnerships with families, community organizations, and external stakeholders to strengthen student success and school engagement.
Lead the implementation of research-based Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and restorative practices within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS).
Build staff capacity to effectively implement restorative responses, restorative conversations, peer mediation, community circles, re-entry circles, and restorative conferences.
Analyze school culture, attendance, behavior, and SEL data to identify trends, monitor progress, and drive continuous improvement.
Develop and oversee schoolwide behavior intervention systems that promote positive student outcomes and reduce exclusionary discipline.
Ensure equitable implementation of school culture systems and student support practices across all grade levels.
Supervise, coach, evaluate, and develop Deans, Behavior Interventionists, Social Workers/School Counselors, Restorative Specialists, and other culture team members.
Provide ongoing coaching and support to teachers on classroom management, restorative practices, student engagement, and positive behavior supports.
Work with staff and students to design and implement school wide culture systems (i.e., entry, dismissal, transition, incentive systems, community meetings, etc.) aligned to the vision for school culture.
Build restorative mindsets and capacity for school staff, students, and community stakeholders, to implement age appropriate interventions that are anchored in social emotional learning.
Plan and facilitate professional development for faculty and staff related to school culture, classroom management, trauma-informed practices, restorative practices, and SEL.
Partner with school leaders to strengthen systems that promote student safety, well-being, and belonging.
Model effective coaching, collaborative planning, and reflective practice to build leadership capacity across the school.
Lead student discipline processes using restorative and instructional approaches that prioritize accountability, learning, and relationship building.
Coordinate crisis response efforts, behavior intervention planning, threat or risk assessments (as appropriate), and required family communication in accordance with school policy and applicable law.
Partner with Social Workers, School Counselors, and Guidance Counselors to coordinate referrals for students requiring behavioral, social-emotional, mental health, or community-based services.
Engage families as active partners by providing regular communication regarding student progress, behavior, attendance, and available supports.
Develop strategic partnerships with community organizations, universities, civic groups, and local agencies to expand resources that support students and families.
Serve as the Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) Certified Trainer, ensuring staff across schools are trained in evidence-based crisis prevention, de-escalation, and safe response strategies.
Lead CPI certification and recertification training for school leaders, Deans, teachers, and student support staff.
Ensure schools maintain compliance with CPI training requirements and safety protocols.
Support school teams in implementing CPI-aligned approaches to crisis prevention, behavioral escalation, and safe intervention practices.
Provide guidance to school leaders and staff during complex behavioral crises to ensure student and staff safety.
Monitor implementation fidelity of school culture systems through observations, walkthroughs, and data reviews.
Maintain accurate student discipline, attendance, and intervention records while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and organizational policies.
Support summer planning, staff onboarding, and professional development related to school culture systems.
Plan, facilitate, and support high-quality professional development for leaders and teachers through collaborative planning, thought partnership, reflective coaching, modeling, co-facilitation, and observation to strengthen the implementation of restorative practices, social-emotional learning (SEL), and positive school culture.
Participate in student disciplinary meetings and coordinate mediation and other restorative practices as well as student disciplinary concerns.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Principal in support of school priorities and student success.
Perform other duties as outlined by the School Principal
Committed to furthering anti-racism, equity, and racial justice in all our efforts, and expect all our stakeholders to participate in this work so that we can create a future without limits for our students, together.
Complies with all charter, federal, state, and local laws, and regulations, including the NYS Department of Education, Department of Health, and NYS Office of Children and Family Services
Adheres to organization policies and procedures; promotes and supports mission, vision, and values, including developing and participating in internal surveys and data collection for continuous improvement initiatives.