Boston Public schools along with the Rafael Hernández community is currently seeking a high-energy, visionary, and dynamic dual language Spanish and English educational leader to serve as school principal beginning in the 2013 - 2014 school year. The Rafael Hernández school community seeks a leader who is driven by a strong vision of high achievement for all children with exemplary leadership skills and a strong belief in the value of cultural diversity.

The Rafael Hernández School has been a national leader in dual language education for over three decades. The new leader will build on the strong foundation and vision of Margarita Muñiz and ensure that the Rafael Hernández school continues to progress as a national leader of dual language educational excellence.

Responsibilities

1. Advocate for dual language education
2. Drive a culture of excellence and demonstrate high expectations for all students, families, and staff and a commitment to providing the support required to reach these standards
3. Monitor and implement research-based best practices for dual-language instruction and participate in ongoing professional development to stay current with best practices
4. Ensure a safe and nurturing environment for students, staff, and families
5. Demonstrate cultural competency and anti-racist leadership through behaviors and decision-making
6. Analyze student performance data to inform school improvement efforts and measure progress
7. Develop and implement a whole school improvement plan that sets the direction for improvement efforts across all grade levels
8. Design and implement a professional development plan that addresses instructional improvements, as well as priorities defined by student achievement data and the individual needs of the staff members
9. Conduct frequent classroom observations to analyze instruction, and supervise staff to ensure continuous improvement in teaching and learning in both Spanish and English
10. Ensure that learning needs are met for all students in both Spanish instruction and English instruction
11. Establish a collegial environment that honors and encourages staff’s continuous learning while maintaining the environment and culture of the Hernández
12. Foster teacher leadership through delegation and shared decision-making
13. Align the use of time, people, money, and materials with the school’s instructional priorities
14. Supervise the management of school facilities and operations
15. Cultivate and sustain meaningful partnerships and relationships with families, community members and organizations that support student achievement and well-being
16. Engage in continuous learning and on-going professional development
17. Develop a strategic plan for increasing student retention through middle school in preparation for transition to the Margarita Muñiz Academy
18. Support teachers’ development of interdisciplinary, project-based curriculum
19. Continue successful Hernández traditions, especially family nights that include exhibitions of student work

Required Qualifications:

-       Masters Degree

-       Valid principal license

-       Fluency in Spanish and English including excellent oral and writing skills

-       Expertise with dual language education and/or second language acquisition in Grades K–8

-       Expertise in interdisciplinary curriculum development and project-based learning

-       Expertise in positive approaches to discipline

-       Supportive of the arts in education

-       Skills of creative problem solving

-       Experience with staff management including, but not limited to, the hiring, evaluation, and development of teaching faculty

-       Experience delegating and distributing leadership

-       Ability to manage a budget

-       Ability to provide an accessible strong presence and demonstrate leadership by inspiring teachers, students and families to achieve their full potential and leading by example

-       Success in leading in a diverse environment

-       Skills in development and fundraising to ensure the school budget meets staff and student needs

-       Leadership qualities, interpersonal skills, and personal characteristics necessary for working effectively with students, teachers, administrators, and families

Preferred Qualifications:

-       Experience in dual language teaching

-       Three or more years of leadership experience as a principal or headmaster in an urban, public school setting

Candidates can submit their application for the position to Job ID # 344303 at the Boston Public Schools career center: http://www.bostonpublicschools.org/apply-jobs

Serious candidates can also contact the teacher & parent search committee with any questions via hernandezsearch@gmail.com.