Seton Education Partners seeks mission-driven, results-oriented leaders to participate in a yearlong training program to prepare for launching and leading new urban schools of excellence in New York City and Washington, D.C. We are looking for dynamic educators who have achieved strong academic results with their students and want to dramatically increase their reach. We seek motivated entrepreneurs who want to start a school from the ground up—a school that helps underserved children develop the virtue, knowledge, and skills necessary to earn a college degree and pursue lives of value, faith, and integrity.

Background
Seton Education Partners is launching a new network of K-8 public charter schools in underserved neighborhoods where traditional Catholic schools are being closed. Co-founded in 2009 by KIPP Foundation pioneer Scott W. Hamilton and Teach for America alumna Stephanie Saroki de García, Seton is a response to the dramatic decline of urban Catholic schools in America, which have served the economically disadvantaged so well for decades. With a focus on results, Seton is committed to ensuring that children develop the knowledge, skills, and character traits necessary to earn a college degree and pursue lives of value, faith, and integrity.

In 2013, Seton launched Brilla College Prep in the Mott Haven neighborhood of the South Bronx. Brilla, which means “shine” in Spanish, has achieved academic growth results that parallel the nation’s strongest charter schools. Alongside Brilla, Seton launched El Camino, an optional, extended day Catholic faith formation program. Seton now seeks to take these remarkable achievements to scale by helping to launch and manage a network of Brilla schools and El Camino extended day programs, to ensure that thousands of underserved children whose Catholic schools close—and other local children—have access to an academically superior, character-building, and faith-nurturing education. This network will serve as a national model for how other cities facing the shuttering of Catholic schools can continue to serve the poor. For more information on Seton Education Partners, please visit www.SetonPartners.org.

About Brilla College Prep
Brilla College Prep began with 200 kindergarten and first graders and has grown to serve 650 children in grades K-4. Roughly two-thirds of Brilla scholars are Latino, and one third are African American; over 80% qualify for the federal meals program. About one in five students are English Language Learners, and one in five has special needs. Brilla implements the Core Knowledge Scope and Sequence, Love and Logic, and a unique way to help children (and staff) grow in virtue. Two more campuses of Brilla launched in fall 2017, including Brilla’s first middle school and a second elementary school.

Inspired by the results of some of the nation’s best urban schools, Brilla schools are built on six cornerstones—high expectations, results matter, lead with character, choice & commitment, more time, and teach the best content.

1)    High Expectations. Because we believe in the inherent dignity and potential of every child, we have high expectations for our students’ academic achievement and conduct that make no excuses based on their background or socio-economic status.

2)    Results Matter. We relentlessly focus on high student performance on standardized tests and other objective measures because we hold ourselves accountable for preparing students personally and academically in ways that will enable them to succeed at the best high schools and colleges.

3)    Lead with Character. Good character makes for a meaningful life, produces lasting personal and social happiness and contributes to academic success. The development of the virtues of Justice, Self-control, Good Judgment, Courage and Kindness in students is central to our educational mission.

4)    Choice & Commitment. Students, their parents and the faculty of our schools will make a choice to participate in our unique and innovative program. Everyone must make and uphold a commitment to put the time and effort required to achieve success.

5)    More Time. There are no shortcuts. Only with expanded instructional time will students have the time to acquire the academic knowledge, skills, and habits that will prepare them for success in college and in life.

6)    Teach the Best Content. All students will learn math and science while also becoming familiar with the classics of Western Civilization, because of the way the traditional liberal arts convey truth, beauty, and goodness, and because students need the world’s best content in order to become good citizens and be competitive globally.

About El Camino
El Camino, which means “The Way” in Spanish, offers engaging Catholic faith formation either before or after each school day. It uses athletics, music, and art as a means to help children develop good character and habits of virtue; to know, love, and serve Christ; and to learn the beauty of the teachings of the Catholic faith. El Camino honors the teaching authority of the Catholic Church. The program is modeled after a much smaller and very successful pilot program that Seton launched in Oakland, CA, which is showcased in this video: http://vimeo.com/50299359.

El Camino serves more than 270 kindergarten through fifth-grade children for two and a half hours, Monday through Thursday. Each day children receive homework help from experienced teachers, a nutritious snack, and 45 minutes each of catechism and physical fitness. Additionally, children and families have opportunities for shared and personal prayer and character formation.

El Camino will grow to serve children through 8th grade, growing a grade level at a time each year. In the fall of 2017, El Camino launched a new morning program for kindergarteners, and a new middle school program.

About the Brilla School Leader Fellowship
Brilla School Leader Fellows will be selected by April 2018. Fellows will participate in an intensive training program over the summer through the KIPP Leadership Development Programs. Following summer training, Fellows will spend a year visiting and engaging in part-time residencies at high-performing urban schools across the country, and a second year working to open a new school in August 2020. School Leader Fellows will receive a competitive salary with excellent benefits. Seton is also committed to investing in additional training, as needed, to provide individualized development opportunities for school founders.

Qualifications and Desired Characteristics
Candidates for the position must possess the following personal characteristics:

• You have unquestioned integrity and commitment to Seton’s mission and values
• You take personal responsibility
• You have a strong belief that all children can achieve both moral and academic excellence
• You have a relentless drive for excellence
• You have an unwavering determination to be better today than you were yesterday

The ideal candidate will bring experience and skills in the following areas:

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required
• At least two years teaching in a school serving predominantly low-income children with demonstrated exemplary student achievement results
• Successfully serving in a leadership position in a private or charter school (preferred)
• Experience with elementary grades, the Core Knowledge® Scope and Sequence, and/or classical liberal arts education (preferred)
• Proficiency in Spanish a plus
• Strong work ethic coupled with an enthusiastic and passionate approach to work

Competencies

• Achievement Orientation & Drive: Sets ambitious goals, takes initiative, follows through to get results. Has a relentless pursuit of excellence and a “whatever it takes” attitude. Demonstrates resilience and resolve in the face of change. Has a consistent history of personal success.
• Communication: Listens, writes, and speaks effectively. Able to inspire others.
• Continuous Learning: Constantly seeks opportunities to learn and improve, making use of successes, failures, and data to find a better way. Willing to take calculated risks in order to learn and improve.
• Critical Thinking & Problem-solving: Approaches challenges in creative and analytical ways. Integrates and acts upon new information quickly, and is comfortable thinking about details and the big picture.
• Cultural Competence: Is able to read and adjust to cultural differences, and effectively works cross-culturally.
• Decision-making: Can make decisions in a timely manner and in the face of ambiguity. Considers consequences of decisions, stands by difficult decisions, and communicates decisions effectively.
• Flexibility: Comfortable in a fluid start-up environment; able and willing to adapt in the face of unexpected changes.
• Instructional Leadership: Is a strong teacher with a good quality filter for instruction. Has strong planning and instructional skills and some experience coaching others. Understands what makes schools succeed or fail.
• Personal Organization: Prioritizes and multi-tasks effectively. Is punctual, prepared, and detail-oriented.
• Self-awareness: Is aware of own strengths and weaknesses and the perceptions of others and adjusts accordingly. Is open to feedback, works to improve upon weaknesses, shows a balance of confidence vs. humility, and behaves professionally.
• Student Focus: Always puts the needs of students first. Sets high expectations for, works effectively and builds strong relationships with, and keeps commitments to educationally disadvantaged students.
• Team Leadership: Works effectively in a team environment, encourages initiative in others and effectively manages conflict.

Diversity & Inclusivity
We are building an organization in which talented individuals 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 individuals who share the life experiences or backgrounds of the students we will serve.