Pre-Kindergarten Director

School Description: PAVE Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) Program is a non-profit Pre-K program in Red Hook, Brooklyn that prepares students to thrive in competitive high schools and colleges. PAVE's Pre-K program matriculates its students directly into PAVE Academy Charter School's Kindergarten, where they will receive a college preparatory K-8 education. Students who turn 4 no later than December 31, 2013 are eligible to apply. PAVE Pre-K educates three sections of pre-kindergarten, up to 54 students, each year.

PAVE Pre-K affiliates with PAVE Academy Charter School, a K-8 program just a few blocks away from the Pre-K program location. PAVE Academy Charter School prepares Kindergarten to 8th grade students to thrive in competitive high schools and four-year colleges. PAVE provides its students with a rigorous academic program and a community built on the school's core values of Perseverance, Achievement, Vibrance, and Excellent character. The school opened in August 2008 with approximately 88 Kindergarten and 1^st Grade students and will add an additional grade each year until it serves nearly 450 students in Kindergarten – 8^th grade. In 2012 – 2013, PAVE's serves 300 students in Kindergarten – 5^th grade. In the winter of 2013, PAVE will submit an application to open a second school, which would open in Fall 2014.

Position Summary: PAVE Pre-K is seeking a dynamic and powerful instructional leader to serve as a Pre-Kindergarten Director, starting in the spring of 2013. Ideal candidates are individuals who have demonstrated exceptional academic results in the classroom and success developing and leading adults, persevered and overcome challenges, and are aligned with PAVE's core beliefs and educational philosophy.

Responsibilities

• Embody, advocate and operationalize the mission, vision, and strategic direction of PAVE
• Research, design and implement a Pre-K program that features academic readiness for kindergarten along with the social and emotional skills necessary for success in school
• Establish a positive and achievement-oriented culture which reflects PAVE's core values and high expectations
• Supervise and coach teachers by visiting classrooms to observe instruction, model effective instructional practices, provide support, and give feedback
• Guide and inspire teachers through the process of collaborative reflection and planning
• Support teacher analysis and use of assessment data to reflect on teaching practice, make instructional decisions, inform lesson plans, and meet the needs of diverse learners
• Collaborate with the Instructional Leadership Team, School Leadership Team, and Operations Team of PAVE Academy Charter School
• Comply with all laws, regulations, and reporting requirements
• Plan and lead professional development
• Create and implement a rigorous curriculum that will prepare students to thrive in PAVE Academy's college preparatory program
• Help develop criteria for candidates and observe demo lessons in the hiring process
• Implement a consistent behavior management system
• Engage and communicate effectively with parents
• Meet and manage requirements for students with special needs and for English Language Learners
• Respond to behavior concerns and discipline that extend beyond the classroom, as needed
• Teach 1-2 hours per day, as needed
• Complete other duties as outlined by the organization's leaders

Qualifications and Experience

• Unwavering belief in and complete alignment to PAVE Academy's mission, core values, and educational philosophy that all students can go to and graduate from college
• Demonstrated high academic results
• Minimum of five years of teaching and/or instructional leadership experience in early elementary and/or early childhood, preferably in an urban setting
• Demonstrated experience setting up strong classroom culture which translates to high academic and behavioral expectations
• Deep curricular and developmental understanding of student learning in grades K-4
• Positive and personable with an ability to relate to various constituencies and inspire
• Excellent written and verbal skills
• A relentless work ethic, a high degree of patience, and grit to push through challenges
• High energy with the ability to multi-task and execute quickly
• Strong judgment, initiative, and decision making
• A willingness to be held accountable
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a team
• Technological expertise and adaptability
• Excellent organizational skills
• The desire and humility to grow as a leader and truly serve the school before oneself
• Ability to deliver a direct and difficult message while remaining warm and supportive
• Bachelor's Degrees (required), Master's Degree (preferred)

Compensation

Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience. Substantial merit bonuses will be awarded each year based on student academic performance and other metrics established by the Executive Director. In addition to financial compensation, all PAVE staff members are equipped with a laptop computer, email, necessary supplies, and extensive professional development.