Virtual Assistant Principal - SY 26-27

ACCEL Schools•Phoenix, AZ

8h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Virtual Preparatory Academy of Arizona is a K-10 tuition-free online public school in the state of Arizona. At VPA Arizona, we empower students to be their best by enabling them to learn in ways that are right for them – using innovative technology at home, at their proper level, and at their own pace. We are seeking a highly qualified Virtual Assistant Principal who provides a superior education for all students. The Assistant Principal shares the role of cultural, behavioral, and academic leader for the school. Reporting to and working closely with the Principal, the Assistant Principal will partner with teachers, administrators, parents, and students to ensure an environment focused on academic excellence and accountability. The ideal candidate will know how to cultivate strong relationships with people at all levels and backgrounds, possess excellent project management skills and be highly organized and thorough. While this is an online school position and all instruction occurs virtually, travel and face to face attendance will be required several times per year to support in person state testing and student events. Eligibility is open to residents of Wyoming and Arizona. The opportunity involves cultivating a caring, supportive, and inclusive school community, understanding how trauma, equity, inclusive practices, and restorative practices impact the student and teacher experience, and providing coaching and professional development opportunities in effective classroom management strategies. It also includes collaborating with staff and families to identify and implement appropriate strategies to improve student behavior, attendance, and engagement, and engaging families and the community in meaningful ways that promote student academic success and well-being. The role requires implementing behavior management practices, acting as a point person to the local community, understanding and implementing the school's philosophy and mission, contributing to a positive climate, and building strong professional relationships with parents. The Assistant Principal will formulate and administer a comprehensive program of Career and Technical Education, work collaboratively with various personnel to ensure career development services, and facilitate linkages with external partners. The position also involves collaborating with leadership to develop, implement, and lead instructional programs, assessing curriculum, pedagogy, and observing classes. Key aspects include sharing responsibility for student achievement, planning and facilitating professional development, coordinating staff in-service days and parent-teacher conferences, and ensuring the MTSS/RTI process is followed. The Assistant Principal will also coordinate summer educational opportunities, partner with Human Resources for talent management, ensure non-discrimination practices, collaborate with the Home Office/Operations Team on reporting requirements, understand and address compliance items, support state-required testing, assist with updating manuals and policies, stay current on state policies, exhibit high-quality communication, handle escalated student problems, and fulfill a 15% travel requirement.

Requirements

Current valid Principal and Teacher license in the appropriate state
Bachelor’s degree in education or related discipline
Successful completion of federal and state criminal background checks
Knowledge of state academic content standards
Minimum seven years of experience in education or related field
Two or more years of experience in successful school administration/instructional leadership
Demonstrated skill in developing and maintaining a rigorous academic program that meets the needs of all students
Experience in public education accountability, compliance, and related legal requirements
Demonstrated ability to create inclusive environments that honor and support a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives
Passion for improving educational opportunities for all students and for building a strong, highly effective organization aligned to this mission
Understanding of and ability to manage confidential information
Knowledge of/experience with innovative school designs and instructional models, including those featuring 21st Century learning strategies like blended, inquiry, problem/project based and personalized learning
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in education/educational leadership strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Cultivating a caring, supportive, and inclusive school community
Understanding how trauma, equity, inclusive practices, and restorative practices impact the student and teacher experience
Providing coaching and professional development opportunities in effective classroom management strategies
Collaborating with staff and families to identify and implement appropriate strategies to improve student behavior, attendance, and engagement
Engaging families and the community in meaningful and mutually beneficial ways that promote student academic success and well-being
Implementing behavior management practices that motivate students through strong relationships with their teachers and positive reinforcements
Acting as a point person to the local community, effectively communicating the school's mission and vision and soliciting input from parents and families about school performance, areas for improvement, and their needs
Understanding, accept, abide by, and implement the school's philosophy and mission statement in all school activities
Contributing to a positive climate and culture by exhibiting high professional standards
Engaging and build strong professional relationships with parents, characterized by timely and regular communications
Formulate and administer a comprehensive program of Career and Technical Education
Work collaboratively with administrators, student’s services personnel, and teachers to ensure the delivery of career development services
Facilitate linkages with parents, business/industry, postsecondary institutions, and community organizations to support students’ transition to postsecondary education and employment
Cultivating partnerships with external organizations that enrich the culture of the school
Collaborate with leadership to develop, implement, and lead the instructional programs of the school, assessing curriculum, pedagogy, lesson plans and observing classes (teaching and learning) on a frequent and structured basis to encourage the use of a variety of instructional strategies and materials consistent with research on the best practices for student learning and development
Share responsibility for student achievement as related to academics and social-emotional wellbeing
Collaborate with Principal to plan and facilitate professional development opportunities for teachers that support instructional best practices
Collaborate with cross-departmental leadership teams and staff to plan and coordinate staff in-service days, parent-teacher conferences, and extended learning opportunities
Collaborate with other instructional leaders (Principal, Head of School, MTSS Coordinator, Special Education Coordinators, etc.) to ensure the MTSS/RTI process is followed with fidelity
Collaborate with the principal to coordinate and oversee summer educational opportunities
Partner with Human Resources to execute a highly effective talent management system of recruiting, selecting, hiring, retaining, recognizing, and supporting all school site staff
Ensure non-discrimination practices in the selection process of faculty and staff by adhering to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) requirements
Collaborate with Home Office/Operations Team on the review and reporting requirements of the State, charter authorizing agency and Federal regulatory agencies, school sponsor, including the charter renewal process
Understand and address all compliance items as they relate to the school's Sponsor Agreement
Support the state-required testing process including in-person testing
Assist with updating parent and student manuals, policies, and handbooks
Stay current on the state’s policies, procedures, and legislation
Exhibit high quality communication with all students and families
Handle student problems escalated by parents and teachers
Travel requirement of 15% is a requirement
All other duties as assigned

Benefits

Paid time off
Retirement contributions
Optional Basic Life and AD&D insurance
Voluntary life insurance (employee, spouse, child)
Discounted childcare at Early Learning Academies locations
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Employee Assistance Program
Voluntary short-term disability insurance
Voluntary long-term disability insurance
Career advancement opportunities throughout Accel Schools and our strong network of 4,000+ instructors and education professionals