Assistant Principal of School Culture - 2023-2024 School Year
Philadelphia, PA /
School Leadership and Support – Culture /
Full-Time 2023-24 School Year
/ On-site
About Mastery:
We believe educational inequity is the most pressing social problem facing our country and the civil rights issue of our day. Mastery exists to help solve this problem. Our ultimate goal is to create a model urban school district that serves all students with excellence. We are organized around one driving mission: All students learn the academic and personal skills they need to be truly prepared for postsecondary success and able to pursue their dreams. To fulfill this mission, we attend to the whole child – academically and emotionally – matching high expectations for students with high levels of support.
Mastery Charter Schools is a nonprofit network of more than 24 schools serving over 14,500 students in Philadelphia and Camden. We are the largest turnaround school operator in the nation and have been lauded by President Obama and the US Department of Education for our ability to dramatically boost academic achievement in historically low-performing schools.
We know neighborhood schools matter, all students deserve access to a great education, and the people in our buildings can grow and develop sustainably to make the biggest impact possible in this work.
Mastery's Equity Vision:
We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to achieving our mission.
We strive to be an anti-racist school district that eliminates the inequities in academic achievement that limit our students’ choices; that cultivates classrooms where every student is affirmed, supported, and held to high expectations; and that nurtures a diverse organization where students, staff, and families are valued, respected, and included.
This role is eligible for up to $10,000 in bonuses! Positions available in both Philadelphia and Camden!
New-to-Mastery Assistant Principals can expect a starting annual salary of between $97,500-$123,000 based on years’ experience and level of education.
The Opportunity:
The Assistant Principal of School Culture implements restorative practices within an urban school in Philadelphia. Reporting to and working closely with the Principal, s/he will serve as the cultural and behavioral leader of the school and will cultivate a participatory, achievement-focused, and outcomes-driven school culture. S/he will also coach a talented team of teachers around best practices in classroom management, create and oversee extracurricular activities that bridge school culture with academics, and foster parental and community involvement. This individual will be a prevalent leader within the school community, partnering with teachers, parents, administrators and students to ensure desired academic achievement and a culture of accountability. As such, the ideal candidate will know how to build superior relationships with people at all levels and backgrounds, possess superior project management skills and be highly organized and thorough.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Drive and support implementation of Mastery Charter Schools’ vision and guiding principles to ensure a positive, achievement-focused school culture among teachers, staff and students
- Create and implement a robust and effective merit-based system of accountability and positive reinforcement
- Manage disciplinary processes and records for up to 700 students within a restorative justice model that empowers students and promotes positive discipline
- Oversee scheduling and implementation of extracurricular activities (including sports and academic clubs) and school community events
- Supervise weekly, student-led community meetings and classroom circles to promote healthy dialogue, as well as social and emotional learning among students
- Coach teachers in the delivery of effective classroom management strategies, and provide professional development opportunities for all staff
- Engage parents and other community members in the creation of a safe, supportive, and cooperative school environment that enhances the learning process
- Maintain and monitor safety and order by being accessible and visible to the school community
Qualifications:
- Interest in providing only the highest quality educational, social and emotional experiences for students and their families
- Superior grasp of effective, research-based behavioral methods and strategies for urban youth, including a restorative justice model
- Proven ability to influence and enhance cooperative working relationships within a team environment
- Ability to lead within a fast-paced, dynamic, and rapidly-changing environment
- Ability to leverage computer software programs and other technology that will support the learning environment
- Zest and a sense of humor that contributes to enhancing the positive school culture
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in social work, counseling, education or related field preferred
- Experience in and/or understanding of the public school system or charter schools is desirable; Teaching experience preferred
- Minimum of five (5) years of experience with urban communities; at least three (3) years of demonstrated success in an urban school administration role or in a direct-service role as counselor or youth worker
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to physically perform the essential duties of the role – either on-site or remotely, and to work in the environmental conditions required, such as: traveling to network campuses; maneuvering in office spaces (including standing, walking, sitting for long periods of time, speaking loudly and clearly, seeing and hearing things both near and far away); stooping, kneeling, reaching file cabinets/shelves; fine finger and hand manipulation in use of computer, chalkboard, dry erase, &/or projectors; filing, faxing, scanning, coping, typing, mailing, and making phone calls; sitting for up to two (2) hours looking at a computer monitor, using a keyboard/mouse, and typing.
Mastery's Benefits Package:
We offer a full benefits program and opportunities for professional growth. Some of our most popular benefits include our 403(b) retirement plan for PA employees (with a 5% match from Mastery), enrollment in the State of New Jersey Pension Plan for NJ employees, a robust Employee Assistance Program, mental health and counseling programs, an annual Professional Development Fund, and discounts and perks at a myriad of retailers, travel organizations, insurance providers, and so much more, as well as a Benefits VIP Helpdesk to help you navigate various benefits-related topics!
Mastery's Annual Calendar:
As you plan to make Mastery your new work home, please feel free to review our PA Academic Calendar for SY 22/23 and our NJ Academic Calendar for SY 22/23. We like to think our calendar is a benefit of working here too!
Mastery Charter Schools is an equal opportunity employer and actively encourages applications from people of all backgrounds. Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience.
UPDATE AS OF January 2023 - Please review Mastery’s Health and Safety Plans here to learn about our approach to vaccination and testing as well as our response to COVID-19. For ongoing positions, Mastery roles are designated as in-person, with regular on-site responsibilities, unless otherwise noted. As such, Employees must be able to support Mastery Schools’ academic plan and business strategies on-site – at a Mastery campus - as required.
Exceptions to this requirement will be considered on an individualized basis.
