Founding Middle School Principal - Brilla Public Charter Schools

About Us

Brilla Public Charter Schools is a network of K-8th grade schools that currently serves 1,800 students from Mott Haven, University Heights, and other neighborhoods in the Bronx. The network is growing from its current four elementary and two middle schools to five elementary and five middle schools educating some 4,000 students in the Bronx and Paterson, NJ. The Charter Management Organization (CMO) for Brilla Schools Network is Seton Education Partners, an organization inspired by the Catholic educational tradition, that also manages the Seton Teaching Fellows missionary program and El Camino, an optional after-school Catholic faith formation program. At the heart of the Seton educational mission is our dedication to help students become young men and women of good character and spirit who are prepared for excellence in high school, college, and beyond.

Brilla combines a Classical approach to education – an emphasis on a content-rich curriculum, inquiry-driven instruction, and virtue formation that fosters an appreciation of Truth, Beauty, and Goodness – with individualized instructional support. We approach the formation of our students holistically and maintain high academic expectations. Ours is a joyful community that honors the dignity of each student, our staff members, and the families we serve.

Position Overview

A high-impact Brilla principal brings Brilla Public Charter Schools’ mission to life by executing instructional management systems that drive student achievement in a learning culture that is rigorous and joyful. A Brilla principal is a dynamic leader who inspires through word and action that all students can be successful, mitigates organizational risk, and puts students first. As the academic and cultural leader of the school, each Brilla Principal is responsible for the academic achievement and character formation for their students, fostering and upholding a positive and engaging learning environment that promotes academic excellence, cultivates virtue, and nourishes a sense of belonging for scholars, families, and staff.

Each Brilla Principal co-leads their campus in partnership with a Director of Operations (DOO), sharing a vision for academic success and operational excellence. While the Director of Operations oversees the day-to-day operations of the campus, the Principal is responsible for executing Brilla's vision for teaching and learning, culture, and students' holistic development. Together, each principal and DOO pair ensures that Brilla’s mission is uplifted throughout all aspects of the school.

Brilla principals are entrusted to hold a high bar for excellence while inspiring their community to reach and exceed ambitious targets. They are committed to establishing strong partnerships with families, recognizing their role as first educators of their child, and developing lasting relationships with scholars, families, and staff. Brilla principals model strong virtue and approach their work with positivity, flexibility, strategic thinking and a relentless commitment to serving their community.

Competencies and Responsibilities

Instructional Leadership

• Inspire and model a deep understanding of instructional best practices
• Collaborates with Network Curriculum and Instruction team to implement curriculum and instruction at the campus that inspires critical thinking, scholar growth and an appreciation for Truth, Beauty and Goodness
• Conduct regular classroom observations and walkthroughs to establish and support a high bar for instructional excellence at the campus
• Engage in ongoing analysis of student data to inform strategy, professional development and adjustments to instruction in support of achieving high student outcomes
• Create and facilitate weekly professional development sessions for staff aligned to instructional goals of the campus; lead monthly Instructional Leadership Team meetings
• Manage the performance of teachers directly and through assistant principals and instructional coaches to achieve strong holistic outcomes for scholars

Talent Management

• Establish and manage a strong team that is collaborative, collegial, and effective
• Oversee staff, including interviewing, hiring, the development and implementation of coaching plans and facilitating twice-yearly performance evaluations, retention and dismissal
• Establish and maintain strong talent pipeline in the campus through a focus on coaching and retention of high potential
• Provide weekly observations of each leadership team members and facilitate weekly coaching meeting

Strategic Thinking

• Model an achievement orientation & drive by setting ambitious goals, taking initiative, and securing accountability to get results. Demonstrates resilience and resolve in the face of change.
• Craft and communicate strategic school systems, culture, and vision that is urgent, creative and grounded in best practice
• Make and communicate decisions in a timely manner and in the face of ambiguity with consideration of implications and strong messaging
• Seek and implement feedback from families, staff and scholars around school initiatives and improvement

School Culture

• Create intentional experiences that foster joy, a love of learning, and a sense of belonging to the school community, while employing a warm and firm approach that communicates love, respect, and high expectations.
• Nurtures a school community that is engaged, diverse, and inclusive and committed to the mission
• Manage school-wide Character Initiatives program and proliferate a deep commitment to the holistic development of all scholars
• Oversee the implementation of whole-school PBIS systems

Family Engagement

• Foster and manage a welcoming and engaging culture of hospitality for every family, grounded in the belief as the family as the child’s first educator
• Communicates regularly with families, ensuring that they are welcomed, informed of the schools’ happenings, and held accountable for their child’s performance
• Lead family engagement initiatives, including monthly Coffee and Conversations and Family Involvement Committee meetings
• Promptly and effectively respond to family concerns
• Support student recruitment, enrollment and retention as needed

Qualifications

• An unwavering, confident, and enthusiastic commitment to the educational mission of the Brilla Schools Network in service to the school community.
• A high level of initiative, flexibility and resiliency in the face of challenge, change or ambiguity
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a high level of ownership for the outcomes achieved
• Capacity for managing many diverse projects and proven examples of strong organization and self-management
• Excellent and inspiring oral and written communication skills and strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with others
• Familiarity with and appreciation for the Classical liberal arts tradition
• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution (Master’s Degree preferred)
• At least two years teaching in an urban school serving predominantly low-income children with demonstrated exemplary student achievement results
• At least two years of experience successfully leading, managing and coaching a team of adults with demonstrated results, preferably in a charter school setting
• Experience with the Core Knowledge® Scope and Sequence preferred
• Special Education credential and experience (preferred)
• Proficiency in Spanish (preferred).

Diversity & Inclusivity

We are building an organization in which talented people from all walks of life and past work experiences can join our team and make significant contributions. We are particularly committed to attracting and developing professionals who share the life experiences or backgrounds of the students we will serve.

To Apply

Initial application materials include: a cover letter and a resume that includes information on student achievement results in your school(s).

Resumes without cover letters will not be reviewed.

Brilla provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees.

The base pay range for this position is $150,000-$180,000 per year. Pay may vary within the stated range, depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. A sign-on bonus for some roles may be provided as part of the compensation package subject to executive leadership approval, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, depending on the position offered.