Assistant Principal (3rd-5th Grade)

WHIN Music Community Charter School • New York, NY

7d • $105,000 - $130,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Washington Heights and Inwood (WHIN) Music Community Charter School is seeking an enthusiastic and forward-thinking 3-5 Assistant Principal to advance our school community with a focus on innovative 3-5 programming and robust culture/community building. This role is for a leader who embodies compassion, kindness, and curiosity, and is committed to weaving these values into the daily fabric of our 3-5 environment. The Assistant Principal will collaborate with the Principal to shape and implement an innovative curriculum, with an emphasis on early literacy and math foundational skills. This role also involves collaborating with other Assistant Principals, the Director of Special Programs, and the Director of Music to promote student growth and enhance educators' abilities to create a positive, engaging, and effective learning environment that supports the whole child. Responsibilities include fostering a love for learning and inclusivity, coordinating state testing logistics, and driving professional development initiatives focused on pedagogical approaches for early literacy and math skills. Promoting responsive classroom techniques, encouraging a data-driven approach for continuous improvement, providing guidance and mentorship to instructional staff, and engaging with families and the community are also key aspects of this position. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in educational leadership within a 3-5 setting, exceptional academic credentials, and emotional intelligence, with a history of employing progressive educational practices. Integrity, courage, a collaborative spirit, outstanding communication skills, and a commitment to consensus-building are essential.

Requirements

• Knowledge of supervisory teaching principles, practices and methods related to teaching
• Ability to organize and conduct effective training programs and to take appropriate measures to assure their successful operation
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism
• Commitment to and proficiency in partnering with families in service of their children’s education
• Ability to develop a positive, strong relationship with the community
• Ability to work autonomously as well as take coaching as needed
• A sense of humor and kindness towards your colleagues
• Enthusiasm and excitement for your own ongoing professional learning
• Masters Degree in education or education-related field
• 3+ years of 3-5 teaching experience in an urban school setting
• 2+ years as a school leader (Assistant Principal or a similar role) in an urban school setting
• Experience working with students, families and staff from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds
• New York State School Building Leadership (SBL) certification or equivalent from another state
• Strong organization and communication skills
• Deeply aligns with the school's mission of integrating music education with a rigorous academic curriculum and understands the importance of fostering a supportive and inclusive school culture.
• Ability to strategically plan and manage school operations, translating strategic priorities into actionable plans.
• Skilled in promoting teaching and disciplinary practices that are responsive to the unique challenges and needs of 3-5 students.
• Ability to build meaningful relationships, facilitate open and transparent communication, and engage families in their children's education.

Nice To Haves

• Written and spoken Spanish language skills preferred

Responsibilities

• Forging a partnership with the Principal and other Assistant Principals to devise and implement a curriculum focused on early literacy and math, ensuring alignment with WHIN's mission and vision.
• Leading initiatives to incorporate teaching practices that are responsive to the developmental stages of 3-5 students, fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment that supports their holistic development.
• Driving professional development programs focused on enhancing teaching strategies suitable for 3-5 education, including subject-specific pedagogies, social-emotional learning, and strategies to engage and motivate adolescent learners.
• Providing personalized coaching and feedback to instructional staff to improve teaching effectiveness and promote student achievement in the 3-5 context.
• Working in conjunction with the Director of Special Programs and the Operations team to manage New York State testing preparation and logistics, ensuring a smooth and efficient process tailored to the needs of 3-5 students.
• Encouraging a culture of collaboration, innovation, and flexibility within the leadership team and across the school to improve decision-making processes, operational efficiency, and support the continuous improvement of educational outcomes for 3-5 students.
• Championing a data-driven approach to guide instructional practices, curriculum development, and assess progress toward academic goals specific to 3-5 students. This involves analyzing data to inform decisions and adapt strategies that enhance student learning and development.
• Regularly reviewing and managing the implementation of curriculum and instruction, offering constructive feedback to teachers to elevate the quality of education provided.
• Actively engaging with families and the broader community to foster strong partnerships that support the educational and developmental needs of 3-5 students. This includes communicating effectively with families about student progress, school initiatives, and ways to support learning at home.
• Supervising and evaluating the effectiveness of special programs such as tutoring, summer enrichment programs, and family workshops, ensuring they are designed to meet the goals of 3-5 students and contribute positively to the school's educational objectives.
• Participating in the occasional Board of Trustees meetings, offering insights and contributions from a 3-5 perspective to inform the strategic direction and policies of the school.
• Performing other duties as assigned, demonstrating flexibility and a commitment to the overall success of WHIN's 3-5 program and community.

Benefits

• Retirement Plans: Tier 1: 1-2 years of service at WHIN = 5% match, Tier 2: 2-5 years of service at WHIN = 7.5% match, Tier 3: 5+ years of service at WHIN = 10% annual match
• Up to four medical plans through Cigna’s Open Access Plus Network, all of which include free preventative care
• Life insurance
• Short-term disability
• Optional pet insurance
• Norton Lifelock

What This Job Offers

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