Interim Assistant Principal

Position:               Interim Assistant Principal

                            Available through no later than June 30, 2022

                            King Open School

The King Open School Community:

The King Open School is dedicated to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream of equal opportunity for all children. Our inclusive learning community supports academic achievement and equity through culturally-responsive learning experiences exploring in-depth themes and projects. We are committed to providing a trauma sensitive environment and utilizes a variety of social emotional learning strategies to support students in their ability to focus, self-regulate and succeed both socially and academically.

King Open serves a diverse population of students and families that come from various countries and cultures bringing valuable strengths and experience. Our students and families represent a number of languages and family structures. Family involvement takes many forms, and whether at school or at home supports the learning and social development of all of the children. 

Our students explore Social Justice through our Family Study Curriculum. Students and their families learn about each other, spend time in the classroom and celebrate their unique family culture and interests. King Open also works to amplify the voices and histories of those who have not always been heard through the school-wide celebration of Black History Month, Women’s History Month, and Autism Acceptance Month. Additionally, throughout the year, teachers and staff teach lessons, read books, plan activities, and facilitate critical conversations that are steeped in the concepts of social justice and equity. It is the touchstone for all that we do at King Open.  

King Open is home to the Olá English-Portuguese two-way immersion program. Olá students develop academic excellence through proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking in both languages. Portuguese study continues through 8th grade at Cambridge Street Upper School. Additionally, the King Open is home to the Small Learning Communities (SLCs). The SLC classrooms are designated for students with significant academic and behavior challenges in relation to their diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder.

King Open has a unique integrated after-school offering called the King Open Extended Day (KOED), a school based program only for King Open students. Offering academic support throughout the school day and social/emotional learning in the after-school hours, KOED teachers and staff and KO faculty and staff work in close collaboration and partnership. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Promote an inclusive, anti-racist atmosphere that welcomes all backgrounds, identities and family structures; enhances individual and collective growth which helps to support positive self-image and community spirit
• Support the Principal in fostering a rigorous and engaging curriculum aligned to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks
• Supervise and evaluate teachers and support staff
• Serve as key member of the Instructional Leadership Team and assist in the development and inception of school-wide initiatives, including the School Improvement Plan
• Foster a positive and supportive school climate, engendering trust and a sense of shared responsibility by working directly with faculty and staff
• Counsel staff and families regarding the academic, social/emotional and behavioral needs of students
• Supervise school-wide preparation for emergencies, fire drills, lock down drills and overall student, staff and public safety  
• Work collaboratively with the Principal to maintain a balanced school budget. This includes routine duties, such as management of requisitions, purchase orders and maintaining appropriate records for school fiscal affairs in accordance with school and district policies/procedures 
• Manage all school scheduling, field trips, cafeteria, transportation and maintenance/facilities requests, including community use of the school site
• Oversee the running of the office and clerk, as well as office equipment, records, textbooks, and supply inventories
• Coordinate MCAS with the support of school staff
• Support the coordination of ELL testing
• Monitor student attendance and enrollment reports
• Plan and coordinate to maintain a positive safe, learning environment for students and
• Assume the responsibility for the administration of the school in the absence of the Principal

Your Skill Set:

As the incoming Interim Assistant Principal you will possess many, though perhaps not all, of the following characteristics and qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred
• Massachusetts certification/licensure: Principal/Assistant Principal K-8
• 5 years of experience as an elementary school teacher
• Experience supervising or coaching teachers in an instructional setting
• Collaborative disposition, welcoming of continuous dialogue and encouraging of partnership among team members
• Receptive to, and freely dispensing of, feedback about instructional practices that strengthen positive experiences for all students
• Strong project management skills, able to backward plan from due dates and 
• Analytic orientation, able to accurately analyze data, identify trends and generate insights into complex situations
• Understanding of restorative practices and how these principles can be applied across a school community

Cambridge Public Schools is committed to slowing and/or stopping the spread of COVID-19. Therefore, as a condition of employment with Cambridge Public Schools, all new hires will be required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 no later than their first day of work.

Salary:    In accordance with the Cambridge Education Association Unit B Salary Schedule        

How to Join Our Team:

Please upload a resume and thoughtful cover letter, outlining how your skills, experience, and commitment to equity in education meet the qualifications of the position as well as stating how you heard about this opportunity.

At the Cambridge Public Schools, we are committed to cultivating an environment where diverse perspectives and backgrounds are embraced, acknowledging that a team reflecting diversity of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, and veteran status allows us to serve our communities better. To that end, we welcome and encourage applicants to bring their authentic selves when considering employment opportunities within our school district.