Principal

BART is a nationally recognized, award-winning, tuition-free public middle and high school focused on preparing students for college. 100% of BART's graduates have passed a college course and have been accepted into college prior to graduation, despite the fact that only 20% of BART parents have graduated from college. BART is consistently ranked among the top schools in Massachusetts for student academic growth in both English and math and, in 2012, 100% of BART 10^th grade students were proficient or advanced on both the ELA and math MCAS exams (1 of 4 schools in the state to achieve this result). BART's program has been highlighted by Harvard Graduate School of Education, New Leaders for New Schools, and the National Center for Time on Learning in their research and dissemination of best practices.

BART's success is built on a culture of excellence and:

• A belief that all students can succeed in college, regardless of their economic background or previous school performance;
• A relentless focus on the effective use of time, including an extended day and an extended year;
• An emphasis on effort and reflection as keys to growth for students and professionals alike;
• A strong, intimate community with supports in place for all community members to achieve excellence.

All students can succeed. All students should have the opportunity to go to college and thrive. Talent is not born, its learned. BART's job is to enable that.

About the Berkshires

The Berkshires are often referred to as "America's Premier Cultural Resort," with world-class art, music, theater and dance. Home to Williams College, a top-ranked private liberal arts college, and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA), a top-ranked public liberal arts college, and anchored by Mt. Greylock, Berkshire County provides individuals and families with extensive opportunities for intellectual, cultural, and environmental pursuits.

At the same time, the population centers of Berkshire County are largely post-industrial urban settings deeply rooted in poverty; student demographics and educational challenges of the region mirror those of many inner cities. The median income of Berkshire County is the lowest in the state – roughly 30% lower than the state's average. The cities of North Adams and Pittsfield, two of BART's major sending districts, are the poorest in the county and among the poorest communities in Massachusetts.

Similarly, the percentage of college graduates in Berkshire County is among the lowest in the state. While 50% of Massachusetts adults hold at least a 2-year degree, only 40% of Berkshire County residents can claim the same. Attainment levels drop significantly for adults in North Adams (22%) and Pittsfield (32%).

Creating an outstanding educational system for Berkshire youth is critical to the growth of the region. The school's Executive Director and Board of Trustees are committed to this goal, as well as to serving as a model for schools across Massachusetts and the country.

Position Summary

We are seeking a dynamic, passionate leader to build upon the school's successes and continue to drive excellence throughout the organization. In partnership with the Executive Director, the Principal provides vision, oversight and management of the school's instructional program and develops and maintains an educational environment focused on high standards and effective instruction.

BART's Principal must be a skilled leader and:

• Agree that all students can succeed in college;
• Believe that objective assessments of student performance are important tools that must be used in concert with deep, analytical thinking assignments to assess student understanding;
• Excel in facilitating, motivating and developing adults in groups and individually;
• Model themselves as continuous learners to students, parents, peers and supervisors;
• Demonstrate experience in leading collaborative improvement efforts
• Believe in creating a consistent environment throughout the school for discipline, classroom management and classroom routines.

In the next 1-3 years, BART will be implementing a number of initiatives that will require a strong principal to shape and lead, including:

• Growing the student body from 300 to 363 students; new growth will primarily be in the high school
• Expanding the academic and extra-curricular program to address both academic and social-emotional needs of students, leveraging:
  • The school's recently awarded 21^st Century Community Learning Center Grant
  • An updated science lab (projected to be built in summer 2013)
  • An expanded facility (projected to be built by fall, 2014)
  • Improving the persistence rate for students through BART's program and college, including developing strategies and partnerships with local, statewide and national organizations to achieve this effort.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Principal will be evaluated against the MA ESE Rubric for School-Level Administrators; below are key responsibilities aligned with that rubric.

Instructional Leadership

• Create a culture, including systems and supports, that motivates students to achieve their best and work beyond their own expectations
• In conjunction with Director of Instructional Logistics, ensure curriculum and instruction are driven by student performance data.
• Promote instructional practices responsive to student needs and ensure that adequate instructional support is available for students and teachers, including a robust tiered instruction model
• In conjunction with the Student Services Director, coordinate the delivery and supervision of special education.
• Develop and adhere to a Curriculum Accommodation Plan to ensure all efforts have been made to meet the needs of diverse learners in the general education program.
• Coordinate the implementation of home or hospital services for students who are out of school for extended periods of time due to discipline or illness.
• Implement Massachusetts' Model Educator Evaluation System, including setting benchmarks, monitoring progress and evaluating success of teachers against individual and schoolwide student academic goals.

Management and Operations

• In conjunction with the Director of Instructional Logistics and the Assistant Principal, ensure faculty have adequate professional development to meet demands of curriculum, including:
  • Coordinate on–going professional development in all instructional areas, including assessment and evaluation, discipline management, differentiated instruction.
  • Manage annual professional development calendar and award appropriate credits for professional development completed (PDPs, etc.)
  • Train and support teachers in the use of backwards-planning curriculum development, including developing the scope and sequence for all core and elective curricula and the workshop model for instruction
  • Manage outside consultants as appropriate.
  • Provide on-going feedback to all instructional staff using defined observation protocols
  • Develop necessary policies and procedures that ensure integrity of school culture (faculty handbook, student handbook, etc.).
  • Serve as liaison with DOE on all instructional matters
  • Work with Executive Director to ensure instructional and mission-driven Accountability Plan goals are met

Family and Community Engagement

• Develop and coordinate parent, college and community volunteers.
• Support Executive Director with recruitment of diverse student body, including assisting with student recruitment activities such as orientation sessions and Open Houses.

Professional Culture

• Inspire, manage and develop faculty and instructional administrative team that consists of 28+ teachers and 4 administrators
• Foster a climate that supports student and staff success; promote respect and appreciation for all; foster an orderly learning environment built on teamwork and collaboration among staff, teachers, students and families
• Design and implement programs to enhance teacher performance (e.g., professional development, coaching)
• In conjunction with Assistant Principal and other stakeholders, establish behavior standards and expectations for students (e.g., code of conduct, dress code).

Perform all other duties as appropriately requested by the Executive Director

QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated success in teaching and instructional leadership roles, preferably at the middle and/or secondary level

• Prior experience as a Principal preferred, but not required
• Superb critical thinking and decision making skills
• Ability to handle unforeseen challenges of a responsive school environment
• MA in Education, Teaching or Equivalent

• Skilled in communicating orally and in writing with diverse audiences, including parents, students and faculty

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. Relocation assistance is available.

TO APPLY:

Please submit a cover letter and resume to employment@bartcharter.org, addressed to Julia Bowen, Executive Director.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Ideal start date is June, 2013.