Upper School (6th-12th grade) General Studies Principal

Reports to: Head of School

Location: Robert M. Beren Academy, Houston, Texas

Full Time 

About Us:

Robert M. Beren Academy is a Modern Orthodox Jewish day school committed to academic excellence, Jewish values, and nurturing the next generation of Jewish leaders. 

The General Studies Principal’s primary responsibility is to ensure that Robert M. Beren Academy’s proud history of academic excellence, the warmth of its community, and the students’ enthusiastic engagement in learning only improve in the years to come. The General Studies Principal must be a detail-oriented educator, capable of overseeing and administering all aspects of academic life and communicating a clear educational vision to faculty. Drawing on a deep background of administrative and teaching experience, the General Studies Principal will lead, mentor, support, and evaluate all General Studies faculty. Among the General Studies Principal’s core responsibilities is the implementation of a rigorous General Studies curriculum that is diligently designed and aligns with the goals and mission of the school. 

Robert M. Beren Academy’s strength is its dual curriculum. But that is also its greatest challenge. The General Studies principal will supervise the General Studies faculty in boiling down education to its most substantive essentials so that the students obtain the skills they require without sacrificing student engagement or love of learning. The General Studies Principal will work to create pathways for advanced students to be challenged as well as work with the Director of Student Supports to help students that require additional support.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• The General Studies Principal will act as the educational fulcrum of the General Studies program;
• Hire, lead, mentor, and develop all General Studies faculty; 
• Conduct new faculty orientation, faculty meetings, professional development days and ongoing 1:1 mentoring meetings with staff;
• Facilitate each teacher’s transition through classroom placement, supply purchasing, and scheduling concerns as it pertains to the curriculum; 
• Creating and supporting a strong staff culture that exemplifies the school’s values and mission;
• Support a culture of learning that nurtures learners to find a pathway to success that is meaningful to them;
• Liaise with the US Judaic Studies Principal in all aspects of the oversight of the Upper School division;
• Coordinate the development, revision and implementation of curricula for General studies alongside the staff including electives that inspires student curiosity, sense of discovery and wonder; 
• Manage and coordinate educational technology development, ensuring outstanding continuity with our STEAM teachers, and advancement for our teachers and students.
• Model and promote the continuous use of data to inform practice and drive decision-making and instruction;
• Oversee the smooth transitioning of 5th grade students into 6th grade and 8th grade students into 9th grade to ensure smooth curricular transitions and no educational gaps; 
• Partner with parents to address their individual and programmatic needs where each interaction builds to strengthen that foundation of partnership;
• Together with the Upper School administration, assist with maintaining order and discipline on campus as needed;
• Serve as an ambassador to all stakeholders and visiting parties to present and define the school’s General Studies curricular design, scope and sequence, and student learner outcomes;
• Maintain regular dialogue with the Judaic Studies Principal and the rest of the Leadership Team. Collaborate on all issues regarding developments of the general programs and activities in the school.

QUALIFICATIONS

• An advanced degree in the field of education or a related field

• 7+ years of teaching experience 

• Effective interpersonal skills to provide high quality customer service 

• Excellent organization skills; demonstrated decision-making and problem solving skills 

• Demonstrated cultural competency with respect to school’s student population 

• Experience in mentoring and nurturing teachers. 

• Experience with curriculum development and contemporary pedagogic methods.

CONTACTS

Regular contact with Head of School, Senior Leadership Team, lay leaders, families (parents and grandparents), all staff and faculty, donors and alumni.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Direct supervisory responsibility includes supervision of all teachers and substitutes for the Upper School General Studies department.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Demonstrated values and a commitment to service, superior written and oral communicationskills;

• Researched-based and forward-thinking approach to education;
• Outstanding organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, professional demeanor, a strong work ethic, and humble confidence;

• Proven ability to plan, initiate, manage, evaluate and resolve complex situations;
• Computer proficiency (including Microsoft Office) and the ability to learn new software programs and databases. 

HOURS/COMPENSATION

Full-time with competitive benefits. Salary is commensurate with education and experience.

APPLY FOR THIS POSITION

Please send your cover letter and resume to [email protected]