St. Joseph Catholic School seeks a mission driven, faith filled, results oriented leader for the 2018-2019 school year.  The ideal candidate is a dynamic educator who has achieved strong academic results with their students and wants to lead a blended learning school. Leaders at St. Joseph Catholic School maintain high expectations of themselves and scholars at the school, are organized and prepared to lead, and treat all scholars, families, and colleagues with the utmost respect. Prior experience with blended learning is not required, but talent, drive, and a desire to lead and work to develop a no-excuses, high-expectations school that creates college-bound scholars and saints is mandatory.

About the school: St. Joseph Catholic School is the oldest continually operating Catholic school in Cincinnati, opening its doors in 1847. Over 90% of students qualify for federal free or reduced-price lunch program, and 97% of students are African American. Located right outside of downtown Cincinnati in the West End neighborhood, St. Joseph works to help our scholars achieve excellence while serving Christ and preparing for college. By focusing on the school’s four core values of faith, community, respect, and perseverance in each class, our scholars are growing as students and active citizens in our neighborhood. Both our parish and school administration are committed to helping scholars and their families grow in faith and give back to our community to help assist those in need. Through the use of blended learning in our kindergarten through 8th grade classes, we use data to drive instruction, identify gaps, and monitor the instructional improvements required to meet the goal of developing “college-ready Catholic scholars.” By working with Seton, St. Joseph’s is able to provide an even better education to the children served.

Our Results: In the last five years, St. Joseph Catholic School has seen climbing enrollment, reduced per pupil costs, and improved student achievement. Last year, scholars grew 1.3 times faster than the national average and all classrooms were in the top third of classroom growth nationally, as measured by the NWEA MAP test. Furthermore, St. Joseph has increased enrollment by 41% in the last five years and saw a 20% operating cost reduction.

About this Job: Reporting to the Pastor, the Principal carries out the mission, vision, and strategic goals of the school. The Principal’s priority is strengthening the community of faith that promotes gospel values and facilitates excellence in academics. Responsibilities will include:

Educational Leadership:

• Coordinate curriculum usage for all subjects to be in alignment with diocesan expectations

• Maintain blended learning environment in classrooms, where students learn in small, differentiated instructional groups and on personalized online-instruction

• Serve as the instructional leader of the building, which includes routine observation and feedback cycles, leading professional development, and assuring that students achieve growth goals

• Manage, communicate, and execute strong, consistent student discipline plan

• Communicate vision of the school to drive enrollment, build collaboration, and establish a reputation of excellence in both faith formation and academics

Spiritual Leadership:

• Create a school culture that provides students and staff with a safe and exciting place to explore and celebrate their faith and academics

• Promote a sense of community between parish and school

• Model Catholic spirituality, attitudes, and behavior at all times

• Manage and lead formation of teachers and staff members

Managerial Leadership:

• Manage and guide teachers and staff members, including administrative team
• Implement an ongoing development and marketing plan for the school
• Formulate goals and plan efforts to meet student and community needs by working with staff
• Direct and supervise staff performance
• Plan, develop, and manage the school budget with parish and school business managers

The school principal is a member of the parish staff and may be expected to undertake other duties as related to school and parish coordination as necessary.

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

Personal Characteristics and Experience

• Faith-filled Catholic who seeks God in all things and is called to serve others.
• Unquestioned integrity and commitment to the school’s mission and values.
• Self-starter who takes personal responsibility.
• Strong belief that all children can achieve both moral and academic excellence.
• Relentless, results-oriented achiever who is always looking for a better way.
• Ability to motivate and lead people into unfamiliar territory.
• At least four years teaching in a school serving predominantly low-income children with demonstrated exemplary student achievement results.
• Master’s degree and principal license required.

Competencies

• Achievement Orientation & Drive: Believes that every child can learn, regardless of their circumstances outside of school. Sets ambitious goals, takes initiative, and follows through to get strong academic results. Has a relentless pursuit of academic excellence and a “whatever it takes” attitude. Demonstrates resilience and resolve in the face of change.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

• 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 balance of confidence vs. humility, and behaves professionally.

Salary & Benefits

The principal will receive a competitive salary and benefits in accordance with the Archdiocesan pay recommendation.