Principal - St. Sebastian STEM Academy

Job Description

Job Description

Siena Catholic Schools of Racine is seeking a school Principal for St. Sebastian STEM Academy, a 3K-2nd grade STEM school in Sturtevant, WI. The Principal is the instructional leader of their school site and must ensure that the primary focus of their time is spent on activities involved in leading and developing the instructional program of their school to continuously drive student achievement. The Principal is also responsible for creating a supportive and faith-filled school culture in which students, families, and the broader parish and neighborhood community are deeply engaged.

St. Sebastian STEM Academy is one of 8 schools within the Siena Catholic Schools of Racine system. Siena has six elementary / middle schools and one high school that serve more than 1,600 students. Sharing your skills will guide the organization toward its goal of ensuring excellence in academics, nurturing faith formation, and developing healthy students.

As a Principal, here is why you should choose Siena Catholic Schools of Racine :

• Small class sizes : our average class size is 20 students with a 10 : 1 student-teacher ratio.
• Faith-based approach to education : we believe that when rooted in faith and tradition, students are able to grow in mind, body, and faith.
• Diverse urban student population : we value the strengths of the communities we are a part of.
• Focus on graduation and life : we nurture lifelong learners who are prepared to be successful leaders in college, career, community, and the Church.

Scope and Summary : The Principal is the instructional leader of their school site and must ensure that the primary focus of their time is spent on activities involved in leading and developing the instructional program of their school to continuously drive student achievement. The Principal is also responsible for creating a supportive and faith-filled school culture in which students, families, and the broader parish and neighborhood community are deeply engaged.

As a Principal and contributing member of Siena Catholic Schools full leadership team, the Principal reports to the Chief Academic Officer and is responsible for advancing the mission and vision of Siena Catholic Schools of Racine.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities :

Mission and Catholic Identity :

Serves as a lead role model of the beliefs and teachings of the Catholic Church in word and action; provides a living example of Catholic identity rooted in Gospel values to students, families, staff, and all who are associated with the school and school community.

Promotes the vision, mission and core values of Siena Catholic Schools of Racine, incorporating it into the daily life of the school.

Establishes a positive and collaborative relationship with all pastors and religious leaders affiliated with the school, parish / school community and any individual pastor supports.

Leads and provides opportunities for the students, staff and school community to celebrate its faith through regular participation in the sacramental life of the Church.

Leads to ensure that all Theology curriculum and instructional practices by staff and students conform to the Archdiocesan and Siena standards of excellence; in curriculum and school culture.

Leads through collaboration with staff and students to give witness to the Catholic identity of the school with religious signs, symbols, and displays as well as through the celebration and / or recognition of Advent, Lent, Catholic Schools Week and other liturgical or Archdiocesan events.

Creates and sustains a school culture that is focused on academic excellence and faith based initiatives that supports yearly growth.

Academic Programming :

Articulates measurable school-wide student learning goals and leads the school to improve instructional practices in support of student success.

Collaborates with the Chief Academic Officer and the full Siena Leadership team, participates in strategic planning utilizing Siena’s scorecards focused on Academics, Faith and Culture.

Participates in regular curricular audits as designed or implemented by the Chief Academic Officer – with a heightened focus on Science, PLTW, Literacy and Math – to ensure that teachers and supporting staff are utilizing effective instructional practices and Siena curriculum that promotes the highest levels of student achievement.

Utilizes the SCS Data Wall regularly to report student achievement and instructional data to staff, the Chief Academic Officer, and SCS Education Committee.

Sets specific and measurable student-based performance goals with all classroom teachers and educational support staff each year. Provides instructional support and regular feedback to all faculty in support of their stated goals. Utilizes the SCS & Archdiocesan Educator Evaluation models to annually evaluate all staff on their effectiveness.

Ensures that data remains an essential part of all conversations related to student achievement, including an assurance that students (at all levels) and families maintain an awareness and understanding of current performance and growth targets.

Collaborates with Siena Leadership on designing and facilitating professional learning.

Serves as a transparent and visible leader who will focus and drive results toward increasing student achievement through various internal, State and National assessments to measure growth.

Empowers staff to participate in leading school improvement efforts.

Operational Vitality

Develops and manages the school’s budget in support of identified goals and overall student success, in collaboration with the Chief Academic Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

Protects the learning environment of the school by thoughtful and consistent implementation of all attendance and student conduct expectations as outlined by the school’s handbook.

Manages budgets in order to ensure alignment towards student achievement.

Collaborates with the Director of Operations to assist with school custodians.

Oversee all emergency plans as they relate to student and staff safety and general operations (e.g. fire drills, crisis plan, tornado response, etc.).

Oversees state-mandated health requirements.

Collaborates with SCS and parish partners, to provide appropriate oversight, including appropriate supervision and expectations, for auxiliary school programs such as before / after care and athletics.

Works in collaboration with Human Resources and Chief Academic Officer to recruit, select, develop, and retain highly qualified and effective classroom teachers and educational support staff.

Attends and participates in, or delegates attendance for, appropriate Archdiocesan and community meetings and events including Archdiocesan Leadership Days.

Collaborates with the Chief Academic Officer and other SCS leadership in the accreditation process.

Reports, as necessary, to SCS System Leadership, Archdiocese of Milwaukee, State of Wisconsin, and Federal Government, or any other committee or governing body as directed.

Communication & Culture :

Regularly attends SCS Academic Leadership Team meetings.

Models the principles of shared leadership that values, inspires, cultivates, and celebrates faculty and staff initiative and creativity toward mission fulfillment and continuous improvement.

Maintains a Building Leadership Team, with a regular meeting schedule, in support of a shared leadership model.

Celebrates the successes and achievements of both individual team members as well as the school as a whole.

Provides an open-door policy for all teachers and staff members who wish to share thoughts, ideas, and concerns.

Communicates effectively and in a timely manner to Siena leadership, families, students, and staff.

Develops a regular written communication vehicle to provide updates, share resources, and celebrate achievements for school families.

Develops a weekly communication vehicle to provide updates, share resources, and celebrate achievements for school faculty and staff.

Maintains a committee or advisory group of parents and school families to ensure that parents and guardians have a regular opportunity to provide feedback and insight on pertinent school topics.

Performs all other duties as assigned by the Chief Academic Officer.

Qualifications : To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The qualifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and / or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Siena Catholic Schools Principals must be a practicing Catholic.

Current Wisconsin Administrator Licensure as a School Principal (5051) or Director of Instruction (5010)

Master’s Degree with an emphasis in Educational Leadership.

A minimum of 5-10 years of classroom teaching practice with specifically defined teacher-leader or administrative leadership experiences.

Respect for the unique heritage of Catholic education in Racine and a desire and motivation to work with Siena leaders and parishes to preserve and further enhance the legacy of the school.

Highly effective communication skills with a specific ability to introduce, champion and support new concepts and build support and energy around collective mission, vision, core values, and goals.

Experiences and abilities in the collection, analysis, and utilization of student performance and school operational data in informing instructional and operational decisions.

Desire to build leadership capacity among all staff demonstrating a willingness to work in collaboration with staff to create a powerful and relevant learning community that supports the overall social, emotional, physical and academic development of students and staff.

Ability to work evenings, weekends, and extended workdays.

Valid driver’s license.

Ability to exercise good judgment and work in an environment with constant changes, interruptions and minimal supervision.

Basic Staff Expectations : All Siena Catholic Schools of Racine employees and volunteers are expected to comply with the faculty / Staff Handbook and the Parent / Student Handbook. All SCS employees are expected to work positively in collaboration with others in addition to completing other tasks as assigned from time to time by their supervisor / administration.

Physical Demands : While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; talk or hear; and use hands to finger, handle, or touch objects or controls. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. On occasion the incumbent may be required to stoop, bend or reach above the shoulders. The employee must occasionally lift up to 25 - 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment : The work takes place in primarily an office / school environment; however there is some travel and limited exposure to outside elements.