WHO WE ARE

The mission of Envision Education is to transform the lives of students - especially those who will be the first in their family to attend college - by preparing them for success in college, career, and life. We accomplish our mission through our nationally replicated Portfolio Defense assessment model, which authentically measures the most important things students need in order to succeed in college and career: academic content, leadership skills, and deeper learning competencies such as reflection and growth mindset.  Portfolio Defense uniquely prepares students, particularly those who are historically underserved, to get into college and then to persist until they earn a degree. Envision is also differentiated by a focus on whole-child education that integrates rigorous academics, high-quality social-emotional learning, and critical cultural literacy. Read about our approach here.

We operate three high schools and two middle schools, serving approximately 1,500 students in the San Francisco Bay Area: 70% are low-income; 94% from communities of color; and 75% first generation college bound.  100% of our graduates are accepted to 2- or 4-year colleges, with 78% accepted to 4-year institutions.  What’s more, our students persist in college once they enroll. Our college persistence rate is 87% from first to second year, compared to the national average of 74%.  We also operate Envision Learning Partners, a coaching and training division working with schools across the country to adapt and adopt the Portfolio Defense model.  ELP is working with more than 1,000 educators in 30+ school networks and reaching more than 200,000 students.

Envision Education has made an explicit commitment to becoming an exemplar network of schools with an instructional and cultural vision rooted in an anti-racist and pro-Black framework. We believe that targeted universalism–focusing on the needs of a group that has historically been marginalized–will support not only that group, but everyone, and that being explicitly anti-racist and pro-Black is essential to changing the status quo for all of our students.

POSITION SUMMARY

An Envision Education school principal is both the chief learner and the master teacher in their school building. The principal will set the vision for reaching and sustaining high levels of student achievement and strategically implementing the school’s mission through effective leadership of all stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, parents, and the community. They are passionate about teaching and learning and lead that work by example, modeling high quality instructional techniques, and offering direct support to teachers and other school staff to improve their practice. An Envision Education school principal is a thoughtful and collaborative leader with unapologetically high expectations for both students and the adults who serve them. They are a “warm demander”. 

The successful candidate will have a proven track record of achieving breakthrough results for students through the work of others, high expectations for students and staff, a willingness and desire to engage in their own personal and professional learning, and a passion for partnering with parents and other stakeholders as peers, to ensure success for all students under their leadership. Envision Education endeavors to be actively anti-racist and pro-black in its programmatic, leadership, and instructional decisions; as such, an Envision Education school principal must be excited about engaging in their own self-reflective journey around racism and anti-blackness, and also be prepared to lead and direct others through that work. Lastly, an Envision Education school principal believes that all students can learn at high levels and succeed in college.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Instructional & School Leadership

• Ensure the highest of expectations for student learning and achievement in every classroom, every day.

• Develop and implement a rigorous teacher coaching, observation, and support cycle focused on classroom instruction.

• Implement effective internal and external assessment systems and use data to inform decisions.

• Ensure strong consistency within the school program and curricular alignment with state and other rigorous standards.

• Select, share, and model effective curricular and instructional practices from and with other schools.

• Develop and implement structures that ensure an urgent, rigorous, and joyful school culture.

• Lead faculty to ensure that all staff are providing well-managed and rigorous daily lessons, and reasonable and effective daily homework.

• Work with staff to foster consistency in enforcing the Student and Family Handbook and other school-wide discipline and student culture policies.

• Work with Special Education Team to ensure 504 accommodations, IEP modifications, and counseling needs are met.

• Maintain communication and relations with the families of the school, ensuring they are able to be partners in their children's academic and behavioral success.

• Communicate regularly with families regarding student performance and academic achievement.

• Work with staff to correspond regularly with families regarding school policies, trips, events, and milestones.

• Work with staff to plan, coordinate, and support family meetings and special events.

• Respond to family concerns promptly and effectively.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Staff Culture

• Attract, hire, supervise, and develop all school staff members to create a high-functioning team focused on student success.

• Build and maintain a positive and supportive staff culture based on trust, risk-taking, respect, reflective learning, and collaboration.

• Lead the site Leadership Team, consisting of Vice Principals and Lead Teachers to effectively guide the school towards targeted goals.

• Design, implement and lead a high quality staff professional development cycle focused on ensuring professional learning in service of high quality student outcomes. 

• Clearly articulate the school’s and network’s goals and programs, as well as Envision’s mission and vision, to internal and external stakeholders.

• Ensure the retention of successful staff members.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Administrative & Operational Oversight

• Oversee all day-to-day school operations including setting and maintaining a balanced budget, managing state and local compliance, and ensuring a safe and smooth functioning school environment.

• Supervise school facilities and ensure excellent facility management.

• Lead school enrollment efforts to ensure a fully enrolled school with a waiting list.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Governance and Senior Leadership

• Serve as a member of the Envision Principal team of the organization, clearly articulate school objectives and challenges, and help set and meet long-term and medium-term organizational goals.

• Partner with Envision’s other principals, Education Directors and Chief Academic Officer to determine and implement the educational vision for the organization through our network’s annual priority process and help to continually improve the educational model.

• With CEO/CAO of Envision Education, serve as representative to the charter authorizer and act as primary spokesperson and leader of the school with other outside stakeholders. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

• Commitment to the mission of Envision Education

• B.A. or B.S. required

• Current cleared California teaching credential

• Administrative Services credential preferred; Master’s degree strongly preferred.

• At least 5 years of highly successful teaching experience in an urban setting.

• Successful school leadership experience or targeted training with a track record of excellent results.

• Experience leading adults to accomplish ambitious goals in the face of challenging obstacles.

• Bilingual Spanish speaker preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to effect positive organizational change.