Assistant Principal - School Culture and Restorative Justice Specialist
Los Angeles, CA
School Leadership /
Full-time /
On-site
About Equitas Academy Charter Schools
The mission of Equitas Academy Charter Schools is to prepare students for college, careers, and life pursuits, and inspires them to be champions of equity. We currently serve over 2,000 students and operate four elementary schools and two middle schools in the Pico-Union neighborhood of Los Angeles.
The Assistant Principal - School Culture and Restorative Justice Specialist is responsible for developing and implementing a schoolwide vision for restorative justice practices that fosters a positive, inclusive, and equitable school culture. This role collaborates with school and network leadership to align behavior management systems with restorative approaches, ensuring a strong multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) for students. The leader provides coaching and professional development to staff equipping them to create supportive classroom environments. Additionally, they work directly with students needing behavioral support, facilitate restorative circles, and strengthen family and community engagement. As an administrator and key member of the school leadership team, this role also supervises staff and provides strategic input on school wide initiatives.
Reporting Relationships
The Assistant Principal - School Culture and Restorative Justice Specialist will report to the Principal. At the Principal’s discretion, the Assistant Principal will be assigned to supervise other school-based faculty and staff members.
Essential Responsibilities:
Vision and Schoolwide Implementation (30%)
- Collaborate with school leadership and network leaders to develop a schoolwide vision for restorative justice practices.
- Design and lead the implementation of restorative justice practices to build community and repair harm.
- Revise existing behavior management systems to align with restorative approaches.
- Monitor, analyze, and evaluate the effectiveness of restorative practices and behavior management systems, using data to inform decisions and continuous improvement.
- Build the capacity of staff to create a positive school-wide culture in which all families and community members are welcomed into authentic partnership, in ways that are aligned to the school’s vision and Equitas core beliefs and values.
Coaching and Professional Development (20%)
- Plan and deliver professional development training and workshops for staff on restorative justice, trauma-informed practices, implicit bias, and positive behavior supports.
- Develop and lead learning communities and activities that help staff develop a shared understanding of implicit bias and restorative principles and their application in a school setting.
- Build staff capacity to lead restorative circles, mediate conflicts, and engage in reflective practices.
- Coach teachers on the implementation of classroom engagement and management practices through structured feedback.
- Contribute to a system of high quality professional learning opportunities and coaching; tailor support to individualized teacher needs, informed by data and observations.
Student Support and Well-Being (20%)
- Lead the implementation of a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS), ensuring that all students experience inclusive instruction, behavioral support, social-emotional instruction, and mental health support.
- Implements systems to ensure equitable access for all subgroups.
- Work one-on-one and in small groups with students with high behavior support needs, using restorative strategies to address challenges and build students’ skills for positive interactions.
- Proactively work with teachers and school staff to Infuse restorative practices into Advisory, Social Emotional Lessons, and school wide practices.
Serves as a Member of the School Leadership Team (20%)
- Participate as an active member of the school leadership leadership team, including responding to student and teacher needs
- Supervise teachers and staff members as assigned by the principal
- Meet regularly with School Principal to discuss progress of direct reports
- Serve as the Principal’s designee in the Principal’s absence and in relation to matters delegated by the Principal
- Other duties as assigned
Family and Community Engagement (10%)
- Plan and deliver workshops for parents and families on restorative practices and trauma-informed practices.
- Collaborate with Community Schools Coordinator to share the school wide vision for restorative justice with parents and families.
- Collaborate with families, teachers, and staff to create and implement individualized behavior plans for students who need additional intervention
- Develop authentic, collaborative, empowering relationships with students and families and support regular communications
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- A strong alignment with Equitas Academy’s vision, mission, and values.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- A commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism (DEIA) and a desire to empower those who experience marginalization.
- Adaptive leadership skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build and cultivate trusting, supportive relationships with students and adults.
- Ability to manage a busy schedule with shifting priorities while being present for others and maintaining personal wellbeing; ability to calibrate emotional responses, adjusting tone and actions as needed.
- Ability to hold oneself and others accountable to high standards while also prioritizing wellness, sustainability and positive relationships; ability to use appropriate strategies to recover physically and renew mentally and emotionally
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred
- Experience (5+ preferred) implementing restorative practices in school settings
- Background in leading positive school climates that values diverse culture and ethnic backgrounds.
- Background in coaching or mentoring teachers and facilitating professional development.
- Strong understanding of adolescent development, trauma-informed practices, and culturally responsive pedagogy.
- Experience working in historically marginalized communities preferred but not required
- CA Teaching Credential or Counseling credential preferred, but not required
Commitment to Diversity Equitas Academy is actively seeking to build a diverse and experienced team of educators. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin. We are an equal opportunity employer.
