Charter School Director
Job Description:
The Bdote Learning Center Director will demonstrate the mindsets and commitment that high-performing school leaders must possess including an urgent focus on results, commitment to data-driven decision-making, a whatever it takes mindset, and belief that every child can learn. The Director role requires a deep personal responsibility on the part of the leader for the school’s academic success and operational integrity.
The Bdote Learning Center Director will report directly to the Bdote Board of Directors. He or she will be responsible for the overall performance, organizational management, school culture, and achievement of all goals and measures in the school’s contract with the authorizer and its compact with the community. All instructional and academic support staff will report directly to the Director. The Director and Board share responsibility for the school’s long-term viability.
Responsibilities:
1. Set and meet academic and language fluency goals of the school
2. Create and implement teacher professional development and evaluation plans and strategies
3. Effectively manage the resources of the school in pursuit of student success
4. Communicate with stakeholders regarding Bdote operations and results
5. Promote Bdote within the education community and to the broader public
6. Protect and maintain the fidelity to the Bdote school vision, mission, and education model
Qualifications:
• Strong organizational skills; careful attention to detail and follow-through
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong communication and negotiating skills
• Ability to lead a team
• Exceptional ability to bridge and enhance cooperative working relationships
• Ability to create, monitor, and maintain systems that enhance organizational efficiency
• Passion for student academic success and indigenous language revitalization
Required Mindsets:
• Urgent Focus on Results: The school leader must maintain a relentless focus on high student performance as measured by standardized tests, portfolios and other authentic measures.
• Commitment to Data-Driven Decision Making: The school leader commits to fact-based decision making at every level of their school’s operations, including collecting, analyzing, and interpreting sound data as they make instructional, staffing, budgeting, and programmatic decisions for the school.
• Whatever it Takes Orientation: The school leader believes and models that it is neither appropriate nor correct to blame poverty, family challenges, or any other external conditions for their students’ poor academic results or the presence of a damaging school culture in their building.
• Every Child Can Learn Mindset: The school leader will have extremely high academic and cultural expectations for all students regardless of their race or socio-economic background. They expect that all of their students will be on track to apply and be accepted into college upon high school graduation.
Minimum Education Level: Minimum of a Master’s Degree in Education, Doctorate preferred.
Background and Experience:
• A minimum of 3-5 years of successful experience in a school leadership position; charter school experience preferred
• Knowledge of and experience working with the American Indian community
• Expertise in language immersion instruction preferred
• Familiarity with the Dakota or Ojibwe language
• Experience and expertise in the hiring and supervision of staff
• Experience and expertise in board development
• Demonstrated experience establishing and nurturing partnerships
• Prior successful experience managing a school budget
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills and knowledge and facility with various computer applications including MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Compensation: A competitive compensation package including health benefits, paid leave, and retirement contribution
To Apply: Send cover letter, references, and resume to the following e-mail address: board@bdotelearningcenter.org
Bdote Learning Center will accept applications until January 6, 2014.
Candidates selected for an interview will be notified by January 13, 2014.
The Board of Directors plans to fill the Director position by January 31, 2014.
As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability.
About Bdote Learning Center:
Bdote Learning Center is a newly approved K-5th grade Ojibwe and Dakota language immersion charter school scheduled to open in Minneapolis, MN in the fall of 2014. The mission of Bdote Learning Center is to develop culturally aware, successful, high performing students by providing them with an academically rigorous education that is place-based and rooted in the language and cultures of indigenous people. During its first year of operations, the school will enroll 100 students in K-3rd and add a grade each year, eventually serving students in K-12th grades.
Bdote is committed to unleashing the brilliance in every student, but especially those students from groups that have historically been failed by the education system. Toward this end, the school has incorporated many innovative features designed to enhance student learning, and build strong connections with families and the community including the following:
• Students receive 90% of academic instruction in Ojibwe or Dakota languages
• School envisioned, developed, and governed by American Indian community members
• Experiential, interdisciplinary learning opportunities
• Individual learning plan for every student focused on postsecondary preparation and language fluency
• Educational compact signed with every family
• Year round, extended-day school calendar
• Place-based education that immerses students in learning through the local history, culture, geography, environment, and people of the area and provides learning beyond the walls of the school
• Flexible scheduling including 45 days of core instruction followed by 15 days of intercession to accommodate family schedules and provide opportunities for enrichment
• Active and engaged community partners to extend and broaden learning opportunities for students
• Ojibwe and Dakota Language tables for parents