Principal, Middle School (Grades 6-8)

Position Type:
Administration/Principal

Date Posted:
9/20/2024

Location:
Odyssey Charter School

Date Available:
ASAP

District:
Odyssey Charter SchoolDescription: Principal, Middle School (Grades 6-8)
Reports to: Head of Schools
Term of Employment: Twelve-month employee
Salary: Salary range is Commensurate with Qualifications and Experience

The future is brighter than ever for Odyssey Charter School, and we are in search of highly motivated, equally passionate individuals to join our Team! Odyssey is a full-scale K-12 Charter School currently serving 2,200+ students. Our School has a growing dual immersion program, innovative green Initiative, community food program, and high academic outcomes. Odyssey is united in our mission to prepare lifelong learners who are culturally aware, global citizens that utilize critical thinking and problem-solving skills grounded in the classical teachings of Greek education and language. This approach trains students to use the Socratic Method and inquiry approach to learning while leveraging their unique skills and talents equitably and democratically to create a positive culture where all students can find success.

Position Purpose
The Principal of the Middle School is responsible for the administration and management of grade levels six to eight at Odyssey Charter School. Odyssey's Middle School consists of approximately 50 full and part-time employees, of which teaching, and specialist staff consists of approximately 45. The individual will oversee the instructional program, culture and climate, manage key initiatives, and select and evaluate personnel. He or she will demonstrate leadership to ensure high standards of instruction, compliance with all State and federal policies, full implementation of the Charter, the success of instructional programs, and operations of all Middle School activities. The incumbent is expected to closely partner and communication with the Dean of Hellenic and Classical Education Programs and Manager of Student Services to ensure that pedagogy and initiatives are mission-aligned, developing multi-culturalism and world citizenship for all students.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree (or higher) from an accredited college in Educational Leadership.
• Must hold an active Delaware teaching license in accordance with 14 Del. C. 1591.
• Must be working toward or actively hold a School Principal certificate in accordance with 14 Del. C. 1591. (Active Certification Preferred)
• Minimum of five (5) years of successful teaching experience in grade levels six (6) to eight (8).

• Must have at least one, preferably three (3) years demonstrated successful leadership in a senior administrative position (such as: Dean, Principal, Assistant Principal or Senior School Administrator) in a public (traditional or charter), or private school, fostering high-functioning and cooperative multicultural environments and teams,
• Demonstrated skills and achievements as an instructional leader.
• Dual language or immersion program experience strongly preferred.
• Possess extensive knowledge and experience of curricular and instructional strategies for the elementary learner.
• Knowledge of and experience in Restorative Practices.

Essential Duties and Performance Responsibilities

• Lead the middle school with a comprehensive understanding of curriculum and instruction, including dual immersion programs.
• Supervise, train, and develop staff using a data-driven approach.
• Manage DPAS and DTGSS processes for appropriate middle school staff.
• Effectively engage with stakeholders and resolve issues in a timely manner in line with the School's mission and vision.
• Develop and track benchmarks for measuring institutional success.
• Effectively enforce the code of conduct, restoring and disciplining both staff and students as necessary.
• Cultivate an atmosphere free from bias in which students and staff can achieve their maximum potential.

• Promote teamwork and collaboration among all staff members.
• Always foster a safe environment.
• Must execute with School's mission and vision and model behaviors that are in line with both.
• Effectively prioritize and manage competing tasks and responsibilities.
• Oversee the effective development of curriculum and instruction, including dual immersion program.
• Monitor student progress and instructional data, create, and implement action plans for student and school improvement, ensuring students are set up to succeed on high stakes standardized testing.
• Apply innovative instructional strategies that support student outcomes.
• Analyze and interpret data to establish instructional goals and support staff in meeting those goals.
• Establish teaching standards and support staff in meeting those standards, using academic and walk-through data to drive instruction.
• Partner with building and school administration in creating a positive school climate.
• Effectively partner and co-lead with all members of the Senior Leadership Team.
• Must sustain a calm, reasonable approach and communicate effectively in stressful or problematic situations.
• Handle conflict resolution in a restorative manner.
• Effectively partner with Human Resources Manager in properly adhering to all school policies, procedures, and best practices, and maintaining compliance with the CBA.
• Effectively partner with the Human Resources Manager and Talent Acquisition Teams in the personnel selection process.
• Make recommendations on all hiring and termination actions and oversee those processes and documentation, engaging Human Resources Manager and all appropriate members of Leadership when dealing with respective departments.
• Effectively communicate using a calm approach in stressful or problematic situations.
• Must be able to effectively and clearly communicate verbally and in writing to a diverse population of stakeholders.
• Create and support an atmosphere of positive culture grounded in the notion that Filotimo ascribes us to be.
• Be actively visible within the school day at school events and within the community.
• Create a master schedule that aligns with Odyssey's priorities, mission, vision, and Filotimo centered culture.
• Responsible for ensuring the creation and implementation of student schedules.

Key Initiatives

• Identify and implement coursework that aligns with the spirit of Greek education and provides appropriate rigors for all learners.
• Create a culture plan that adds and addresses the need for there to be "joy" in school.
• Foster and cultivate a strong culture based on the mission and values of the school and lead by example.
• Work in conjunction with senior leadership team to develop and implement strategic plans.
• Manage student recruitment and enrollment, helping to ensure that the retention rate of the school exceeds 90%, supported by the creation and implementation of events as needed.
• Create a positive staff culture that promotes high teacher retention.
• Ensure compliance with all state and federal policies, and Charter commitments.
• Make formal reports to Head of School and Board of Directors as necessary.
• Assist with the annual budget and ongoing financial planning of the School.
• Create and maintain a safe, secure, and orderly environment.
• Create and oversee a plan to actualize the school's goals and mission.

Standard Conditions of Employment:

• Meets Criminal Background Check and Child Abuse Registry Check requirements.
• Tuberculin Test
• Mandatory Direct Deposit of paycheck

Odyssey Charter School is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment or in educational programs, services or activities on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), national origin, citizenship or ancestry, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or upon any other categories protected by federal, state, or local law.
Interested applicants must apply online and upload a letter of interest, resume, proof of certification, the most recent job evaluation, and three (3) letters of recommendation dated within the last year.

Please contact the Human Resources Department Administrative Assistant to obtain a paper application if access to a computer is not available: 302/[redacted].