Vacancy expired!
Roots & Wings Community School seeks a school Administrator to begin July 1st, 2020.
Who are we?
Roots & Wings Community School is a small public charter school located in a rural, high mountain desert environment north of Taos, New Mexico. The sun is bright, the snow is deep, the roads are dirt, the air is pure, the work is hard, and the life is good. The students are diverse and the malls are very far away. Our tiny campus is nestled in the foothills at 8500 feet elevation and surrounded by open fields, farm, and forest. Founded in 2000, RWCS was the first Expeditionary Learning (now EL Education) school in the state and is known for its adventurous curriculum and for its integrated, project-based learning approach. The teaching staff is phenomenal, and the school recently transitioned from a district charter school to a school chartered through the state.
What is the RWCS philosophy?
As in EL Education (Expeditionary Learning) inspired school, RWCS embodies a whole-school reform design that emphasizes project-based learning, rigorous theme-based curricula, and intentional culture building. Teachers use engaging instructional practices that create equity, strong student interest, and high expectations. Structures that provide time for student and adult learning and for knowing students well are also central to the design. Core curriculum is taught through adventurous “Learning Expeditions” designed to integrate knowledge, heighten student interest, and encourage high-quality student work. Our Learning Expeditions culminate in powerful student projects and performances, such as putting Kit Carson on trial in a real courtroom, writing and illustrating historical novels set in medieval France, and creating a documentary film about water issues in northern New Mexico.
Who are we seeking as Administrator?
RWCS is seeking a dynamic Administrator committed for the long term. We need someone who can navigate through intensive oversight of a state-chartered school – essentially performing all roles found in a district’s central office while maintaining a strong school culture and academic program. Job duties are similar to that of a district superintendent, while our “district” is just our own 50-student school. Thus, the person we are looking for will be highly skilled and motivated to address operational/office management needs while maintaining a balanced presence among staff, families, and the community. The successful candidate will honor the EL Education core practices as a school-wide framework to ensure high academic achievement and character development within a diverse population of students.
Please review the required qualifications and job description below. The Governing Council has identified the following required qualifications to set the school and its Administrator up for success:
A. Minimum of a master’s degree.
B. New Mexico Level IIIA Administrative License or qualifications necessary to acquire said license.
C. Proven experience in operational oversight similar to a superintendent and/or school principal.
D. Proven experience managing schedules and budget to reflect a school vision.
E. Ability to balance productive relationships with PED, staff, students, families, and community.
F. Experience as an instructional leader and staff manager, supervising and evaluating staff.
G. Understands the needs of a small, rural and somewhat remote school district.
H. The personal qualities and experience to lead by example within the context of an established school model.
I. Communication and interpersonal skills to provide clear leadership within a highly collaborative environment.
J. Ability to facilitate the healthy functioning of a team.
K. Ability to work collaboratively with the Governance Council in creating and circulating agendas, attending Council meetings, and steering the GC based on current events.
School Administrator duties and responsibilities:
1. Work collaboratively with the school business manager and Governing Council for whole-school sustainability:
Make administrative rules not in conflict with law or with the policies of the Council.
Decide all matters of administrative and supervisory detail in connection with operation and management of the school district (school).
Administer Council policies, state and federal regulations, and delegate responsibilities to subordinates as is appropriate.
Ensure policies and procedures are in place to provide an environment that is physically, socially and academically safe for students and adults.
Work collaboratively with all contracted agents to ensure that the school’s payroll, benefits and reporting systems are sustainably managed.
Direct the preparation and development of an annual budget through the school’s business manager and approve all purchase orders.
Manage the school budget in a timely and appropriate manner to support mission-driven academic excellence.
Direct studies or surveys of site and buildings, taking into consideration the population trend and educational and cultural needs of the school to ensure timely decisions by the Council regarding the need for maintenance, construction, and renovation projects.
Ensure that the school patrons and the public are informed and involved in the acquisition, planning, and development of school facilities and that students are provided with adequate facilities which conform to state and federal mandates.
Attend all meetings of the Governance Council, foster and maintain a quality working relationship and keeping the Council informed through oral and written reports.
Work collaboratively with the school’s Governing Council and staff to articulate the school’s mission, direction and strategic plan.
2. Lead the school community in achieving the vision and mission of the school:
Assume responsibility for fully implementing the EL Design Principles and Core Practices in a K-8 school.
Assess the fiscal needs of instructional programs.
Work collaboratively with staff to ensure that resources are available in a timely manner and appropriate to the vision and mission of RWCS.
Work collaboratively with staff and the community to recruit students to RWCS.
Intentionally build a school culture that evidences high expectations for courtesy, respect, compassion and a scholarly environment for both students and adults.
Ensure that school structures (calendars, schedules, team structures, coaching) promote and model the teaching and use of best practices.
Ensure that the Council, staff, students, and parents have knowledge of school policies and that all concerned parties have a voice in policy development.
Maintain an atmosphere which promotes communication with staff, students, parents, and community in favor of mutual understanding of the concerns, opinions, and feelings of each group.
3. Establish and maintain excellence in education:
Foster the development of innovative learning expeditions as the main avenue for delivering curriculum including the use of experts, fieldwork, and service.
Create, model and participate in assessment and evaluation practices that promote and encourage student academic growth.
Create a cycle of coaching and peer coaching to ensure that best practices are used consistently in the classroom and that teachers have adequate time for peer review and feedback.
Support and participate in a quality Crew structure to ensure that each student is known well, has a voice in the school community, and is given appropriate academic support.
Model and support a professional community that focuses on curriculum and instruction as the primary vehicles for improving student achievement and school culture.
Foster the development of adventure/fitness opportunities within the core curriculum, including overnight wilderness experiences. Be willing to participate with students and staff in these experiences.
Ensure that students receive the requisite support through Title 1, Special Education, ELL, and/or other services as needed to ensure their success.
Ensure that structures are in place for team planning, professional development, on-going evaluation, data analysis and subsequent student success.
Provide regular timely evaluative feedback to all staff members to promote professional growth.
Receive and incorporate regular timely evaluative feedback from staff and the Council to promote professional growth.
Motivate teachers to continue to develop their content knowledge and instructional repertoire, and provide the resources needed.
Work collaboratively with staff, students, parents and community in the refinement and implementation of the school’s program.
Demonstrate cultural competencies in managing a multi-cultural institution.
Cultivate strong partnerships with community organizations and regional and national partners.
Ensure that all students are supervised.
4. Assume responsibility for the overall accountability of the school, staff, and students:
Monitor and document adherence to the school’s charter contract.
Comply with educational standards, reform acts, state statutes, federal laws, and PED rules and regulations.
Ensure the school is in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, reporting requirements, and federal and state special programs.
Ensure that academic course work addresses Common Core State Standards and New Mexico State Standards.
Ensure that state and federal accountability standards are met for testing and that data are used to inform instruction.
Model a commitment to on-going professional development by participating fully in on-site PD, off-site institutes, seminars, and state offerings.
Ensure that there is evaluation of the effectiveness of the school’s programs and that evaluative feedback is used in strategic planning.
Pursue ongoing awareness of the myriad tasks required to keep the school thriving. Maintain healthy school-wide accountability to ensure these tasks are acknowledged and completed.
Salary dependent upon experience. If you wish to apply for this position, please submit a letter of interest with the title yourlastname-RWCSAdmin-letter and your resume/vita with the title yourlastname-RWCSAdmin-resume. All initial application documents are due to RWCS as soon as possible.
To find out more about Roots and Wings Community School, please visit www.rootsandwingscommunityschool.org. Our Facebook page highlights day to day activities of the school.
Thank you for your time!
Vacancy expired!