Lionsgate Academy Director
Director Reports To: Lionsgate Academy Board of Directors
The mission of Lionsgate Academy is to provide a transition-focused, personalized learning program for secondary students with autism spectrum disorders that supports their full potential, participation, and self-determination within their school, family, and community. To this end, the Academy will model best-practice and researched-based techniques to fully support the students’ academic and social skills development and their transition into post-graduation options. Lionsgate graduates will develop independence through a transitions-focused model that can help them to access independent-living, meaningful employment and/or college. Lionsgate will also focus on teaching community-building and social skills through an emotionally safe environment that eases the deep isolation that many students on the autism spectrum experience in traditional school district settings. Through the use of direct instruction where appropriate and a modified project-based approach, small classes, highly trained interdisciplinary teachers, a collaborative educational model, partnerships with community organizations, therapeutic services and specialized programming, the Academy will support its students in becoming fully functioning adults.
Lionsgate is an authorized public charter school and is planning to open in late August of ’08 and is currently looking for a site in a first ring western/southern suburb of the Twin Cites.
Overview of Director Position:
The Director leads the school community in establishing and maintaining excellence in education. Overall responsibilities include:
Ø working with the Board and Start-Up Coordinator to ensure a timely and well-planned opening
Ø promoting the mission of the school
Ø ensuring the continuing operation of the school
Ø leading the staff
Ø overseeing the quality and continuous improvement of the educational program & assessments
Ø ensuring that state and school district education standards are met to the best of each student’s ability
Ø financial oversight and budgeting
Ø managing overall school administration, physical facilities & transportation
Ø The Director should have knowledge of special education, particularly as it relates to the field of educating students with the diverse needs of individuals on the autism spectrum and related disorders. The board places a high value on involving and building community that includes staff and students and also families, community leaders, organizations that serve the students and families with autism, artists and arts organizations and businesses in the Twin Cities area. Since Lionsgate will be incorporating these approaches into its program, having an understanding of the following is a plus: Core secondary academic programming, Project-Based Learning, Universal Design for Learning, IEPs and Individualized Learning Plans, transition planning, social skills instruction, adaptive technology, & IDEA 2004 Student and Parent Rights. Functional
Responsibilities/Essential Duties Leadership:
Ø Serves as the servant leader to the school community in achieving the mission of the school.
Ø Will demonstrate skill in developing a school leadership team including but not limited to the Autism Specialist, Sp. Ed director, and the Transitional Coordinator
Ø Fosters innovation by all members of the school community so that the diverse needs of all students (mostly in the full range of the autism spectrum) are addressed by the educational program.
Ø Effectively involves staff, parents, and students in implementing the curriculum and educational program.
Ø Promotes productive communication and teamwork among school staff and parents.
Ø Responsible for meeting accountability standards and implementing testing and evaluation of students on a regular basis.
Ø Organizes a positive program for promoting the school and its mission to the public.
Ø Exhibits an entrepreneurial approach to work.
Ø Models quality oral and written communication. Educational Mentoring
Ø Develops and trains staff to effectively deliver the school's educational program.
Ø Working in collaboration with the schools leadership team
Ø Assures that teaching methods and content align with the philosophy of the school.
Ø Monitors instructional effectiveness.
Ø Interprets and uses student assessment information to communicate and plan.
Ø Leads school in researching and practicing new educational methods appropriate to the school's vision, mission, and needs of the students. School & Staff Management
Ø Participates in all aspects of school start-up.
Ø Directly manages professional teaching staff and contracted staff hired to fulfill student IEP’s.
Ø Direct oversight of the school operations and school consultants.
Ø Develops and implements professional development plan for all staff.
Ø Evaluates performance of, and generates development plans for individual staff.
Ø Mentors teaching staff in effective delivery of the total educational program.
Ø Recommends corrective action or dismissal when necessary. Parent and Community Relations
Ø Develops a parent-friendly school culture
Ø Develops educational plans and IEPs and ILPs for students in conjunction with parental input
Ø Views parents as partners in the educational process
Ø Organizes and oversees an active parent volunteer program Ø Reaches out to parents through community organizations, parent groups, individual home visits, and other parent-friendly strategies
Ø Works to resolve problems that create win-win situations for parents, students, and staff
Ø Is able to develop parental accountability in a positive manner
Ø Generates parent-friendly school communications
Ø Organizes and conducts parent information and input meetings Financial/Administrative
Ø Responsible for overall school budget and leading annual budget planning process
Ø Administers and helps develop staff contracts
Ø Recruits and hires staff including contracted staff for IEP requirements
Ø Supervises staff responsible for administration of the school's facilities, resources, and payroll.
Ø Works with the school's Board of Directors to establish and implement school policies
Ø Responsible for applicable state, federal, and local laws & regulations. Responsible for federal and state special programs such as Title 1, ELL and Special Education, including No Child Left Behind legislation
Ø Participates in fund-raising activities & strategies to improve financial resources Student Interaction and Discipline
Ø Creates a disciplined school environment and culture by the implementation of proven behavioral and classroom management systems.
Ø Ensures that staff is flexible and responsive in family communication.
Ø Assists, with classroom teachers, in making sure students feel a part of the community.
Ø Ensures student needs are met in the areas of special education, English language learner, and at-risk student populations. Experience and Knowledge and Characteristics
Ø At least a 4-year degree, graduate degree preferred
Ø Knowledge of special education with an emphasis in Autism
Ø The ability to be sensitive , appreciative and accepting of the diversity of the students and families with regard to their abilities, religious and cultural backgrounds, and sexual orientation
Ø A minimum of three years successful leadership, administrative and/or supervisory experience.
Ø Familiarity with and enthusiasm for the school's charter and full agreement with the school's educational philosophy Ideal Characteristics and Skills (preferred but not required)
Ø Understand special education due process procedures and special education funding
Ø Teaching students with autism and experience with students at the secondary level
Ø Administrative license.
Ø Experience and ability to develop, implement, and evaluate instructional curricula.
Ø Experience with and/or knowledge of charter schools.
Ø Evidence of taking a project from an idea and through a successful implementation.
Ø Demonstrated classroom teaching ability.
Salary and Benefits: Negotiable depending on experience Starting Date: Upon Hiring. Employment may start at any time to permit participation in school start-up. Consideration will be given to permit a shared working relationship with current employer, until an agreed to full time starting date is identified.
Process & Contact: Please send a cover letter stating your reasons for being a good fit for this position and your resume by electronic attachment to: johanasand@gmail.com Telephone: 612-382-7419
Deadline: 3-18-08
http://www.lionsgateacademy.org/
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