Principal

Position Title:                        Empwerment Zone Principal

Salary Range:                        Contract Salary

Contract Length:                    Contractual Year (June30-July1)

Immediate Supervisor:          TBA

About the South Bend Empowerment Zone:

Our Vision

We are a system of schools that eliminates academic and social-emotional opportunity gaps and cultivates the greatness that exists within each child to confidently pursue their dreams in our city, nation, and world. 

Our Mission

We nurture the mind, body, and spirit of each child by embracing equity, learning, and change for students, staff, and families. We harness the power of community and relationships to ignite transformation.

Core Beliefs:

• Students and Families First: We make collaborative decisions that are in the best interest of students and families by lifting all voices. We will strategically use every resource to meet the individual needs of every student.
• Equity: We acknowledge the systemic & institutional inequities that currently exist in public education. We will repair harm by shifting away from exclusionary discipline practices and restore relationships between community, students, and educators.
• Excellence: Our schools are relentless in the pursuit of greatness by implementing bold and innovative practices. We hold ourselves and others to high standards and guide students to take ownership of their learning through trust and accountability.

The South Bend Empowerment Zone is a set of five schools in the South Bend Community School Corporation that serves roughly 2,200 PK-8 grade students on the West Side of South Bend . In terms of demographics, the Empowerment Zone is:

• 22% English Learners
• 18% Special Education Learners
• 84% Free/reduced lunch
• 12% White
• 7% Multiracial
• 39% Hispanic/Latino 
• 41% Black/African-American

The Empowerment Zone is dedicated to dramatically improving student achievement and doing whatever it takes to realize that goal. We work to ensure that traditionally underserved students receive the support and resources they need to be successful.

Basic Function:

The principal’s core responsibility is the improvement of student learning actualized when every student meets all grade level and course expectations within a culturally-responsive learning environment. The Principal is expected to be devoted to curriculum, instruction, professional learning, and the systems necessary to support these. The principal supervises all certified and non-certified personnel serving in the school.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Develop and nurture a school climate focused on and supporting significant learning by all;
2. Formulate long range goals and using a systems approach to planning, implementing, and evaluating programs and services;
3. Assess the effectiveness of teachers accurately;
4. Support teachers to increase effectiveness and student achievement; utilize PIP Plans with fidelity;
5. Understand and organize subject matter for student learning;
6. Plan instruction and designing learning experiences for all students;
7. Create and maintain an effective environment for student learning;
8. Engage and supporting all students in learning;
9. Assess student learning;
10. Develop as a professional educator;
11. Develop and using a balanced assessment system at the building level;
12. Provide effective leadership and facilitation in administrative and leadership teams;
13. Organize personnel, materials, and facilities in efficient support of student learning;
14. Collaborate effectively with diverse people and groups;
15. Perform other duties as assigned by the unit head.

Qualifications:
Master’s degree; Administration Certification; Experience working with diverse populations. Member of IASP. Prior administrative experience. International Baccalaureate Leadership Workshop experience or willingness to participate. Experience working with community agencies and groups. Experience with the day-to-day operation of schools. Strong knowledge of child development. Demonstrated skill in building relationships, trust and respect; Creative and imaginative approach to problems. Ability work effectively with individuals and groups; strong speaking and writing abilities.  Bilingual Spanish, Bicultural, Biliterate preferred.

Physical Demands:
Must be able to lift, push and pull up to 25 lbs., sit, stand, walk, speak, hear and use close vision.

Additional Information: To learn more about the Empowerment Zone, our impact, and what we offer staff, visit www.sbezone.org/careers.

*This position is grant-funded.