Assistant Principal

Yellowstone Schools

Reports to:             Principal

Qualifications:       A minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

                                Graduate degree or supporting post baccalaureate work, preferred.

                                At least 4 years of teaching experience with strong academic results.

                                Demonstrably strong record of ensuring students achieve school success and holistic growth.

                                Previous school-level leadership experience with progressive levels of responsibility.

 

Organizational Overview

Founded in 2002, Yellowstone Academy’s mission is to be the premier school in Houston’s inner-city, where we are committed to Inspire, Empower and Invest in our students. We operate on a Third Ward campus built in 1927 that is less than half a mile from downtown Houston. Yellowstone’s model is unique: we are a faith-based private school, serving students from communities where there is no access to strong educational opportunities. With an average class size of 16 to 18 children, our students experience a rich academic and co-curricular model, two free meals a day, and access to a comprehensive student support program.

Teachers and instructional aides will be supported by a strong, experienced school leadership team. Yellowstone is building an incredible team of educators—and we invite you to join us.

Primary Responsibilities

The Assistant Principal is responsible for ensuring the safety of students and teachers on campus, driving a positive school culture, overseeing the school-wide systems for classroom management and student discipline, and managing parent engagement and communication.  The Assistant Principal works closely with the Principal to ensure all aspects of teaching and learning are supported.  The Assistant Principal will directly participate in the decision making, goal setting, and hiring for the campus. Grade level responsibilities throughout the school will be shared by the Principal and Assistant Principal.

 

School Culture

The Assistant Principal will:

• work with the principal and social worker to develop and implement a shared vision and culture of high expectations for all staff and students.
• assist with the student/family handbook creation, communication, and adherence. 
• work with the principal and social worker to create an atmosphere of safety that encourages the social, emotional, and physical wellbeing of staff and students.
• work with the principal to develop and implement a school-wide behavior system.
• Assist in the creation and execution of the school-wide quarterly character/SEL report card.
• use a variety of student discipline techniques to meet the behavioral and academic needs of individual students.
• provide teacher support and assistance when classroom-level discipline interventions have been exhausted in addressing disruptive student behavior.
• Work with the principal and social worker to promote positive parent engagement through clear communication of student learning, creating new engagement opportunities, and regular campus updates.
• prioritize the spiritual program through chapel participation, Bible lesson creation, and other special programming as needed.
• oversee special events and programs throughout the year.
• serve as a liaison between home and school.

 

Instructional Leadership

The Assistant Principal will:

• work with the principal to ensure that a rigorous curriculum and quality, research-based resources are available and implemented by teachers in classrooms across grade levels.
• support and evaluate a cohort of teachers and instructional aides through a cycle of observation and feedback to ensure instructional best practices are in use.
• ensure that effective instruction maximizes growth of individual students and student groups, supports equity, and eliminates the achievement gap.
• collaborate with the instructional team to plan assessments, monitor multiple forms of student data, and guide instructional adjustments needed to improve student performance.
• work with the Social Worker and Principal to manage the RTI process on campus
• work with the Principal to assess staff needs, and then plan and facilitate professional development sessions for PLCs and in-service days.

 

Administrative Leadership

The Assistant Principal will:

• Work closely with the Principal to manage efficient daily campus operations.
• Work with the Office Manager to ensure proper coverage and supervision of classrooms is secured.
• Work with the principal to develop a system to track student behavior through the referral process and keep families updated.
• Manage the distribution of student progress reports and report cards throughout the school year.

• Work with the Principal and Admissions Coordinator to facilitate new student admissions.
• Serve as a liaison with various external partners.
• Serve as the primary facilitator for accreditation for Yellowstone Academy
• Participate in leadership team meetings and other related executive decision making.
• Participate in meetings, conferences, and other opportunities to stay well-informed about current best practices in education and continue their own personal and professional development
• Perform other duties as assigned

 

Yellowstone Values

Every employee at Yellowstone is committed to our PRIDE values:

 

Positivity: At Yellowstone, we smile first. We are a positive presence on campus and extend a good-natured grace and enthusiasm in all personal interactions.

 

Responsibility: We follow through on our promises and commitments. We own our actions and will never settle for less than our best effort.

 

Integrity: We demonstrate integrity in all circumstances and always put the best interests of the broader Yellowstone community first. We “walk the talk” and lead by example. 

 

Determination: We anticipate and overcome challenges. We are resilient in the face of obstacles and are committed to the success of every member of the Yellowstone community.

 

Excellence: We hold everyone (families, students, colleagues) to the highest standard of excellence and constantly look for ways to enhance the Yellowstone experience.

 

In addition, the Assistant Principal must be:

 

Passionate: enthusiastically committed to both the Yellowstone mission and to achieving extraordinary results for our staff, students, and families

 

Collaborative: a true team player who relishes the opportunity to lead and problem-solve with others, lead productive and effective meetings, readily engage in meaningful conversations, and genuinely celebrate and share other people’s successes

 

An Excellent Coach: a “people person” with exceptional interpersonal and communication skills (both written and oral) who has a record of helping others achieve their personal and professional goals

 

An Excellent Project Manager: a hard worker with a strong attention to detail who understands how to set ambitious milestones, use data to guide decision making, can effectively delegate responsibilities, and can navigate a complex task/project from inception through to completion.

 

Physical Demands

Frequent moving about the school building to facilitate student management between classes; constantly operates a computer and other office equipment; frequent presenting to staff, parents,  and students to facilitate parent training  or student instruction; Frequent exchange of communication with parents, students, and colleagues regarding behavior, academics, and other school business.

 

Additional Notes

This position may include early morning, evening and weekend commitments as required and assigned by the Principal. This position will require the utmost level of discretion and confidentiality, as the Assistant Principal will have access to student files, staff files, and other related institutional documents that are confidential. 

 

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Yellowstone Academy offers a competitive benefits package that includes paid time off, medical, dental, and vision insurance, a SIMPLE IRA program with employer matching, employer paid life and AD&D, and supplemental benefits, including short-term disability insurance.

 

Application Process

To apply for this position, please complete an online application which can be accessed through the “employment” tab on the Yellowstone website at www.yellowstoneacademy.org. Yellowstone will notify candidates if they are selected for the next round of the application process.

 

Yellowstone Academy is a non-denominational Christian school and all employees must be professing Christians.  Yellowstone Academy does not refuse to hire and does not release any individual, or otherwise discriminate against any individual with respect to compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because of the individual’s race, color, sex, or national or ethnic origin.  Nor does Yellowstone Academy limit, segregate, or classify its employees or applicants for employment opportunities or otherwise adversely affect the status as an employee because of the individual’s race, color, sex, and/or national/ethnic origin.