Interim Principal, Elementary (2893)

The Natick Public Schools Seek a

Interim Principal, Elementary

Start Date: Immediately

We invite you to explore a career with Natick Public Schools. 

The Natick Public Schools educate approximately 5,300 students from Pre-K through age 22. We are an innovative, supportive, and high-performing district whose outstanding staff provides high quality services for our diverse students and their families from Natick and Boston. Natick Public Schools is a community dedicated to all students achieving high standards in a safe, trusting, respectful environment where learning is exciting, dynamic, and engaging, and where connectedness and belonging are valued and actively cultivated. We are home to families that speak almost 60 different languages and our student population is approximately 29% Students of Color and 71% White students. With a graduation rate of 97% and 90% of our students attending post-secondary schools, we are proud of our commitment to excellence in educating students to be informed and successful citizens of a global world. 

We enthusiastically welcome educators to our district who seek and thrive in a diverse environment that focuses on the whole child in a strengths-based approach. Please partner with us in our mission to support the diversity of our school community, promote and deliver equitable practices for all of our staff, students, and families, and create meaningful connections that enable everyone to feel included and thrive.

Education: Master's degree in education administration

Professional Certification:

• Massachusetts licensure as an elementary school principal. 
• SEI Endorsement

Specialized Knowledge:  

• Strong foundation in student-centered pedagogy
• Knowledge of the developmental needs of elementary students
• Thorough understanding of theories and teaching methodologies along with a sophisticated understanding of the academic, social, and emotional needs of elementary school students
• Working knowledge the Massachusetts Standards-Based curriculum
• Working knowledge of the principles of UDL
• Working knowledge of SEL instruction and supports
• Thorough understanding of and commitment to the principles and practices of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice as they relate to student, staff, and community engagement and cultivation
• Thorough knowledge of the practices, methods and techniques used in the administration and supervision of all facets of an elementary school; 
• Thorough knowledge of prescribed School Committee policies and procedures; 
• Working knowledge of the Google suite, Microsoft products, Student Information Systems such as Power School, and other programs relative to work with high school students and staff

Preferred Experience:

• Progressive administrative experience;
• At least three years of classroom teaching experience, preferable at the elementary school level.
• Experience leading initiatives in the following areas:
• Curriculum review, revision, and implementation
• Social-emotional learning at the elementary level
• Dismantling systemic barriers for equitable access to opportunity, including, but not limited to the areas of increasing belonging in the following areas:
• Racial equity
• LGBTQ equity
• Special abilities and disabilities

Skills

• Demonstrated aptitude for work to be performed
• Bilingual skills, especially in Spanish and Portuguese, are highly desirable
• Candidates should have a passion for working with students, families, and colleagues
• Skill in oral and written communications
• Ability to motivate others to reach their fullest potential 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school officials, students, parents/caregivers, teachers, support staff and colleagues
• Demonstrated leadership ability 
• Ability to make independent decisions in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Ability to operate general office/educational equipment and computer/laptop/devices required to accomplish the work assigned
• Candidates must be flexible and collaborative
• Candidates must be able to multitask in a fast-paced, supportive environment that nurtures student growth
• Candidates must be organized and able to meet ongoing, time-sensitive deadlines for work production 

Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Superintendent may find appropriate and in conformity with state certification requirements.

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustration of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change by the employer, as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change.

Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment

Works with the Deputy Superintendent/Chief Academic Officer to make and oversee necessary curriculum and instructional changes in order to best meet the needs of students and improve student achievement.   

• Ensures implementation of all School Committee policies.
• Monitors implementation of curriculum, instruction, and assessment programs.  
• Visits classrooms regularly (conducting formal and walk-through observations). 
• Uses student achievement data effectively with staff and students to support ongoing improvement in student performance
• Attends special events and school sponsored activities and functions. 
• Guides the development of the school's improvement plan, ensuring alignment with district goals.
• Establishes expectations for proper student conduct and enforces discipline as necessary, according to due process to the rights of students. 
• Conducts monthly staff, curriculum and other meetings of the staff for the proper functioning of the school.
• Communicates with students, faculty and parents, both orally and in writing, via regularly scheduled publications as well as through communications that respond to specific needs.
• Works with various members of the central administrative team on school and district-wide issues, participates in principals' meetings, and other such meetings as required or appropriate.
• Prepares and administers the school budget and supervises school finances. 
• Maintains and controls funds generated by student activities. 
• Prepares or supervises the preparation of reports, records, lists, and all other paperwork required or appropriate to the school's administration.
• Plans and supervises fire drills and an emergency preparedness program.
• Keeps the Superintendent informed of the school's activities and problems.
• Establishes and maintains healthy relationships with parents, local community groups and individuals to foster understanding and solicit support for overall school objectives and programs.
• Keeps abreast of trends, developments, and research as they relate to education and school operation.
• Continues his/her own professional growth and development.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Instructional Support

     The principal promotes instructional practices responsive to student needs and ensures that adequate instructional support is available for students and teachers. Instructional support includes remedial instruction for students, consultative services for teachers, availability of reading instruction at the elementary level, appropriate services for linguistic minority students, and other services consistent with effective educational practices and the requirements of M.G. L. c. 71B S2.  The principal consults with the Director of Student Services regarding accommodations and interventions for students.  Such efforts and their results are documented and placed in the student record.  Additionally, when an individual student is referred for an evaluation to determine eligibility for special education, the principal ensures that documentation on the use of instructional support services for the student is provided as part of the evaluation information reviewed by the Team when determining eligibility.

Curriculum Accommodation Plan

     The Principal implements a curriculum accommodation plan developed by the district’s general education program to ensure that all efforts have been made to meet the needs of diverse learners in the general education program.  The plan assists the regular classroom teacher in analyzing and accommodating diverse learning styles of all children in the regular classroom and in providing appropriate services and support within the general education program including, but not limited to, direct and systematic instruction in reading and provision of services to address the needs of children whose behavior may interfere with learning.  The plan includes provisions encouraging teacher mentoring and collaboration and parental involvement. 

Coordination with special education

     The principal with the assistance of the Director of Student Services coordinates the delivery and supervision of special education services within each building.

Educational services in home or hospital

     Upon the receipt of a physician’s written order verifying that any student enrolled in a public school or placed by the public school in a private setting must remain at home or in a hospital on a day or overnight basis, or any combination of both, for medical reasons and for a period of not less than fourteen school days in any school year, the principal arranges for provision of educational services in the home or hospital.  Such services are provided with sufficient frequency to allow the student to continue his or her educational program, as long as such services do not interfere with the medical needs of the student.  The principal coordinates such services with the Director of Student Services for eligible students.  Such educational services are not considered special education unless the student has been determined eligible for such services and the services include services on the student’s IEP.

Dismantle Systemic Barriers for Equitable Access to Opportunity

Works with district and school leadership to combat systemic barriers that limit student, family, and staff members’ equitable access to opportunity

• Identifies and addresses bias and its impact on rigor and opportunity for students and staff
• Continues and expands focus and resources to diversify our workforce. 
• Updates policies and equitable access procedures 
• Provides professional development and community education around disabilities, learning styles, gender identity, language, culture, and racial identity development and racial bias. 

Staff Supervision

• Participates in the selection, assignment and supervision of all instructional personnel. 
• Orients new staff members and assists in their professional development.  
• Supervises all instructional and support personnel assigned to the school. 
• Evaluates and counsels all instructional staff members regarding their individual performance.
• Recommends the reappointment of teachers whose work is satisfactory and the dismissal of teachers whose work is unsatisfactory, according to established procedures.

 Other duties assigned by the Superintendent.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the job satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to: 

• move about the classroom, school, school grounds, office, and/or off-site locations. 
• On some occasions, it may be necessary to move quickly across even or uneven surfaces; 
• remain in a stationary position for periods of time; 
• operate a computer and other school/office productivity machinery (i.e., iPad, copy machine, computer printer, assistive technology, etc.); 
• read material from a computer monitor as well as handwritten or printed matter with or without visual aids; 
• position oneself to maintain files and access school/classroom/office materials;
• communicate with others so that information received and given is understood and accurately communicated;
• communicate and collaborate effectively with students, parents, and other staff members in person, via video conference, on the telephone, and/or in writing;
• observe details at close range
• in the school setting, ensure the safety of students;
• multitask and meet multiple demands from several people;
• may need to teach and support students with life skills development such as eating, cleaning, and toileting 
• lifting up to and including 25 lbs
• the noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud.

• Formal application
• Rating of education and experience
• Oral interviews 
• Reference check
• Strong record of work performance in current and previous roles required
• Successful completion of Criminal Records Check (C.O.R.I.), Sexual Offender Record Check (S.O.R.I.), and fingerprints.

The Natick Public Schools do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, color, religion, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, physical and intellectual differences, immigration status, homeless status, or any other class protected by law.