About PLN 

Founded on Skid Row in 1980, Para Los Niños provides education and wraparound support, serving over 6,000 children, youth, and families annually in some the most underserved areas in Los Angeles. PLN fosters pathways to success by striving for excellence in education, family support, and comprehensive social-emotional, and community-based services. 

Through early education, TK-8th grade education, youth workforce services, and family and community services Para Los Niño’s’ model provides a comprehensive, holistic approach to break the cycle of poverty and help children and youth thrive.  

The PLN education model applies constructivist and inquiry-based approaches, and to developing creativity and critical thinking skills. In addition to its pedagogy, PLN believes that the availability of comprehensive, wraparound support services is critical to the academic performance and social emotional wellness of its students, and the agency incorporates parent and community engagement strategies to ensure its students are supported to achieve exceptional outcomes.  

Position Overview  

Under the general supervision of the Superintendent/VP of Charter Schools, the Principal serves as the instructional leader of the PLN Charter Middle School (with a typical enrollment of approximately 300 students) by instilling a culture of growth, achievement, support and holistic success for all students and staff in partnership with teachers, staff, students, families, other school stakeholders and the entire PLN organization.  The principal  guides programming leading to a culture that fosters academic success and social emotional wellness for all students.  This includes hiring, supervising and evaluating staff and providing leadership in the areas of personnel, curriculum development, instruction, assessment, student programs, budgets and contracts.  Responsibilities also include school safety, student attendance, and student discipline and community relations.  

Duties  

  Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment 

• Builds a school learning community with a relentless focus on the goal of improving academic and social emotional wellness outcomes for all students.  

• Serves as instructional leader, developing school-based direction and goals in alignment with needs of middle school students, staff and stakeholders that are consistent with PLN Charter Schools’ approach.  

• Manages site-based ELAC and Testing Coordinators to ensure accountability with state and federal testing programs.   

• Leads, in partnership with other PLN Education Team members, the ongoing development and evaluation of the PLN Charter Schools’ instructional program.  

• Collaborate with the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment to ensure high-quality implementation of all PLN Charter School goals.  

  Charter School Operations 

• Ensures compliance with local, federal and state statutes as they apply to the charter.  

• Establishes and maintains partnerships with local schools and relevant service providers.  

• Actively collaborates with other areas of the PLN organization (Student and Community Services, Early Education, etc.) to support the academic and social emotional wellness outcomes for all students.  

• Promotes and represents school at various fundraising events, conferences, symposiums, and other community meetings or events aimed at promoting or developing PLN and its schools (i.e. teacher and/or student recruitment).   

• Performs other duties as assigned by Supervisor.  

  Strategic Planning 

• Plans, evaluates and recommends school-wide programs, policies, goals and objectives.  

• Builds, and implements, a course scheduling approach that meets the needs of all students.  

• Develops and manages school resources and budget; including implementation of categorically funded programs.  

• Enforces policies and procedures designed to protect the safety and welfare of students and staff while on campus.  

• Promotes a positive nurturing environment for students, staff, parents, and community members.  

• Carries out mission, vision and values established by the Superintendent and VP of Charter Schools, President/CEO and Board of Directors of PLN. 

Supervision and Evaluation 

• Leverage PLN Charter Schools’ observation and coaching framework to observes classroom environments and coach teachers for improvement in instruction and classroom management.  

• Directs, supervises and evaluates school personnel .  

• Leads the planning, development, and implementation of effective professional learning opportunities for all staff.  

Qualifications and Experience Requirements  

• At least four years of successful elementary, middle or junior high school teaching experience, including the completion of, or enrollment in, an administrative training program. 

• At least one year of successful experience in a non-classroom leadership position such as coordinator, instructional coach, etc. 

• Bilingual English/Spanish (Strongly Preferred) 

Education and Certification Requirements 

• A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in educational administration, instructional technology, or a closely related field. 

• California administrative services credential.  

• Current certification in CPR/First Aid preferred    

Other Requirements  

• Must have reliable transportation and State required automobile insurance coverage and valid Class C California driver’s license (mileage to be reimbursed)  

Physical Requirements 

To perform this job the individual must be able to carry out all essential functions satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.   

• Approximately 50% of time is spent sitting, while frequently required to walk, stand and bend. 

• Must be able to speak and hear well.   

• Good vision is imperative.   

• Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.   

• Employee will be required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds without assistance 

Expectations for All Para Los Niños Staff  

Candidates for employment at a Para Los Niños, regardless of position, will consistently demonstrate the following: 

• Unwavering belief in and commitment to fulfill the mission of Para Los Niños. 

• Deep commitment to the success of all PLN students and families 

• Commitment to excellence and high standards -- for self, students, and colleagues. 

• Continuous learning by engaging in reflection, self-assessment, and individual professional development. 

• Use of data to inform decisions and drive continuous improvement. 

• Ability to thrive as a member of a collaborative team. 

• Self-motivation and initiative with solutions-oriented disposition. 

• Belief in and ability to develop respectful relationship with parents and children marked by sensitivity to the students’ cultural and socioeconomic characteristics. 

• Excellent oral and written communication skills. 

• Ability to effectively handle challenging situations 

• Comfort with basic Microsoft Office applications and a curiosity and propensity to push own adoption of new technology and approaches. 

• Regular, punctual attendance and professional appearance. 

Para Los Niños is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer 

It is the established policy of Para Los Niños (PLN) to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without discrimination with regard to race, religious belief (including dress or grooming practices), color, sex, sex stereotype, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions (including breast feeding), age, national origin (including possessing a driver’s license issued under Vehicle Code § 12801.9), ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identification and expression, transgender status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristics, genetic information, family care, marital status, enrollment in any public assistance program, status as military, a veteran or qualified disabled veteran, status as an unpaid intern or volunteer, or any other classification protected by law. PLN also prohibits discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics, or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics