FirstLine Schools: SCHOOL DIRECTOR FELLOW
Creating and inspiring great, open admissions public schools in New Orleans

About FirstLine Schools
In 1998, FirstLine Schools started the first charter school in New Orleans. FirstLine now operates several (Pre)K-8th grade schools.  Our mission is to create and inspire great, open admissions public schools in New Orleans. 

Our faculty is a diverse and talented group dedicated to our students’ success and to their own growth as teachers.  Our schools are led by leaders who hold themselves accountable for student achievement and teacher development.

Position Summary:
The School Director will lead a school that is committed to the high achievement of its students and the ongoing development and well-being of its students, teachers and staff.  The Director is accountable for ensuring the school is characterized by:

• Positive school culture that is nurturing, calm and orderly, aspirational, and motivational
• Rigorous and engaging classes through excellent instruction
• Personalized learning through systematic use of formative assessment layers of learning support, technology-assisted instruction, and strong special education programming
• Focus on results, learning, service, and collaboration

Position Responsibilities:
The Fellow will be placed at a FirstLine School in a support capacity, partnering with school and network leaders to assist in advancing academic achievement and strengthening school culture. The Fellow will support the work of the Chief Academic Officer, School Director, School Principals, Assistant Principals, and Network Leaders by contributing to key initiatives, providing operational and instructional support, and helping to execute established priorities. Responsibilities include the following:

Cultural leadership

• Creates a culture of achievement aligned around a shared set of values that nurtures healthy social and emotional development 

• Ensures consistently strong teaching in every classroom through a shared vision of excellent teaching, engaging curriculum, and effective teacher professional development practices

Talent management

• Recruits  and retains highly effective staff
• Ensures consistent, high-value performance management practices

Management and development of systems and resources

• Provides quality services to parents, students, and teachers
• Ensures a well-maintained facility
• Diligently manages the school’s budget

Parent partnership

• Works with parents as active partners in their children’s education through creating an inviting environment, effective communication practices, and providing a variety of opportunities for parents to support the school

Community relationships

• Develops and maintains strong partnerships with community organizations to improve the quality education offered by the school and to ensure the school is a good neighbor

Student recruiting and admissions

• Ensures the school is fully enrolled 
• Manages the school’s participation in the citywide enrollment system

School strategic management

• Provides clarity for all staff around current priorities that will most leverage the school’s success

FirstLine organizational development and collaboration

• Works with colleagues in other schools and the FirstLine Schools network team to continually improve the organization to help all of the schools in the network achieve their mission

Education & Experience:

• Demonstrated record of success raising test scores in an open-admissions urban school
• At least five years experience as a teacher in an open-admissions urban school teaching elementary school
• At least two years of principal experience (or five years of assistant principal experience) in an open-admissions, urban school, with experience in developing instructional expertise
• Record of success in leading adults; experience with management and supervision
• Leadership experience with significant responsibility, preferably in a high-performing urban public school
• Proficiency in using data in the decision-making process
• Preferred, but not required:  MA, MBA or M.ED

​​​​​​​Desired Qualities & Characteristics:

• Believe in every student’s ability to achieve in a rigorous college or career prep curriculum
• Achieve results based on agreed-upon expectations
• Take personal responsibility 
• Highly detail-oriented 
• Collaborate effectively with a range of stakeholders 
• Share a commitment to creating great schools in New Orleans
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Model the FirstLine Commitments: We Keep Learning, We Work Together, We Are Helpful, We Are the Safekeepers of our Community, We Share Joy, We Show Results!

Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.  Occasional physical exertion is required, including exerting up to 20 pounds of force as needed to move objects.

SCHOOL DIRECTOR FELLOW reports to: Chief Academic Officer 

How to Apply: Please apply online via: http://www.firstlineschools.org/careers 

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. FirstLine Schools offers a comprehensive benefits package with a generous 403b plan.

FirstLine Schools provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.