SCHOOL LEADER - PRINCIPAL
Christopher House Elementary School is looking for a school leader to advance our model of personalized instruction and immersive family supports. We are looking for a bi-lingual, bi-cultural Principal to lead our learning community, which is 90% Latinx scholars drawing largely from the Belmont Cragin neighborhood on Chicago’s northwest side. This position is an incredible opportunity to lead a team of teaching professionals and staff dedicated to creating greater equity in a culturally rich community with high parent engagement, robust supports for scholars, and a commitment to meeting the needs of all learners.
Our goal is to provide an equitable model of education that gives each scholar and family the instruction and support they need to be successful. We are looking for an ambitious and reflective leader committed to their own professional growth in order to maximize their impact on teachers and on scholar achievement.
With a mission to develop independent, creative, lifelong learners, our infant, preschool, elementary and family schools build a community of schools, teachers, and parents committed to excellence, achievement and perseverance, respect and compassion, and equitable access to high quality educational opportunities.
Christopher House partners with parents to provide a continuum of education for students from birth through high school, as well as immersive family supports that help parents create stable, self-sufficient families. We operate accredited early learning, elementary, and out of school time programs grounded in research-based curricula and high-quality instruction.
OUR VALUES
Commitment to Excellence
Achievement & Perseverance
Respect & Compassion
Equity
OUR BELIEFS
Children and Families thrive when:
Education begins at birth and continues throughout life, with parents as their children’s first teacher;
Home environments nurture literacy, achievement, and children’s success;
Parents have high standards and set high expectations for themselves, their children, and children’s schools;
Professionally trained teachers know their students as individuals;
Evaluations and program improvements are data driven;
Parents and staff work together to continuously evaluate and improve programming;
Education includes the development of creativity and perseverance and is multi-disciplinary in order to foster each child’s unique strengths and interests;
Developing independent, creative, life-long researchers, education includes curriculum designed to help scholars develop socially and emotionally as well as cognitively;
Diversity is celebrated and explored so that learners develop broad perspectives on life and learning; and,
Parents and caregivers support their children financially and emotionally.
POSITION OBJECTIVE
Strategically implement and support the CHES mission, vision, and goals by providing excellent instructional, operational, and administrative leadership to ensure each child’s success and the school’s long-term sustainability. The school principal is accountable for continuous improvement of CHES staff, student achievement, and operational viability. He/She/They will work with the agency’s leadership team to continue Christopher House’s holistic approach, addressing the interrelated, social educational and human service needs for children and their families in an environment that respects and values diversity.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Manage all aspects of this innovative school process that integrates early childhood education and family support services to produce unprecedented academic and social/emotional growth and success.
Instructional Leadership
Oversee instructional services that leverage CH’s birth to eighth grade continuum and family support including collaboration with our Infant and Preschool to align on kindergarten readiness standards. Share educational priorities, and professional development opportunities.
Build on the current data-driven, personalized learning program that prepares every student for options and workplace success.
Make scholar-focused decisions that prioritize our commitments to SEL, social justice in the classroom, and strong systems for MTSS.
Develop and execute a comprehensive professional development plan; ensure that teachers have the tools, skills, and resources necessary to develop strong interdisciplinary units and lessons.
Coach and develop teachers to maximize impact on scholars.
Conduct regular informal and formal teacher observations and provide actionable feedback around key areas of practice, including the use and development of integrated, project- and research-based instructional strategies and effective social/emotional supports for students.
Develop assessment strategy and monitor administration, collection, and use of data to inform instruction and increase student achievement.
Direct teachers in curriculum evaluation and implementation.
Refine, implement, and manage curriculum and assessments to meet school performance goals.
Establish performance outcomes for key school stakeholders (teachers, students) and evaluate progress toward goals; actively seek to align programs with best practices and standards for excellence.
Provide leadership, growth, and coaching opportunities for staff which foster an environment of continued advancement and cultivation.
School Culture
Create and maintain a school culture that reflects CH mission and values.
Build a diverse staff and inclusive culture for both employees and scholars.
Collaborate with CH staff to identify and seamlessly integrate support services into the charter school, including but not limited to counseling, food, financial and transportation assistance and parent education.
Partner with CH education staff and programs to develop and implement effective, research-based academic practices.
Build strong relationships with parents and volunteers; build multiple pathways for parent and community engagement. This includes leading and attending all parent council meetings.
Collaborate with the Director of Family Support Services to maximize community relationships and their impact on the school.
Establish and maintain close working relationship CPS, charter schools, and the Chicago Teachers Union. Knowledge of labor relations, union negotiations, and conflict resolution skills to achieve healthy culture through unionization.
Ensure a safe and orderly school environment in alignment with Positive and Restorative Justice practices.
Fiscal and Operational Management
Ensure all systems, operations and programs are implemented effectively to achieve school goals; maintain complete and accurate records of the entire school program.
Work with Chief Financial Officer to develop and manage school budget as well as monitor cash flow management, reporting, annual audits, etc.
Ensure compliance with federal, state and local regulations and policies (unless otherwise waived). Assist Chief Executive Officer, Board of Directors, and Development department in raising funds; participate in fundraising visits and other efforts as needed.
Manage student recruitment and enrollment process.
Recruit, hire, evaluate, and retain high quality instructional staff.
Build on current evaluation process ensuring a collaborative process with clear but high expectations
Develop and support the implementation and measurement of strategic planning initiatives that foster growth and innovation across all stakeholder groups; recommend specific short- and long-term plans for the development of school and agency programs and services.
As a member of staff who is authorized to make purchases for the agency must assure that all components of the Purchasing Procedures are being followed.
Team Orientation
Work collaboratively with CH Senior Leadership Team to leverage and build upon the agency’s holistic educational approach.
Ensure a collaborative and productive environment between the elementary school and all other departments.
Act as a CH ambassador, supporting fundraising and media relations as needed.
Quality Assurance
Actively seek to align programs with best practices or standards for high quality.
Ensure on time and accurate collection of data using organization’s database and/or funder databases.
QUALIFICATIONS:
A minimum of 3-5 years in public school setting, charter school experience a plus.
Bilingual in Spanish and English strongly preferred.
Experience with programming that equitably supports all students, particularly those coming from predominately diverse backgrounds/lower socio-economic communities. Experience meeting the needs of a wide range of learners including remedial and accelerated students, students identified as English Language Learners, and those identified as diverse learners.
Experience negotiating teacher and staff salaries and contracts, including but not limited to performance reviews, salary and benefits packages, teacher involvement in the selection of curriculum, and interviewing and hiring process.
Excellent communication skills that include empathy, transparency, and conflict management.
Knowledge of the laws, rules and procedures related to the operation of charter schools.
Knowledge in the selection, training, and supervision of personnel.
EDUCATION:
Must possess valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) or equivalent (required)
Illinois Type 75 Certification required
Master’s degree in Education, Administration, or relevant field.
Christopher House is an Equal Opportunity Employer.