Job Title:
School Director/Principal
Organization Name:
Job Type:
Full-time
Salary:
Commensurate with experience
Hours:
Deadline:
2015-12-31
Job Summary/Description:
The Talmud Torah of Minneapolis, a 2nd through 8th grade supplementary Jewish school, is seeking a new leader and we’re looking for you!
Located in the Western suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and housed at the Jewish community campus, Talmud Torah is a vibrant school with greater than 120 years of history in this thriving Midwestern Jewish community.
Talmud Torah is a successful school co-led by two Conservative synagogues, Beth El and Adath Jeshurun. We run a balanced budget, our Board of Directors is supportive and engaged, and we are implementing a strategic plan that provides students with foundational tools to lead an intentionally Jewish life.
This is a wonderful opportunity for an experienced and innovative educator to step into an energetic and supportive environment. If you want to carry out a well-constructed forward looking mission, develop and lead a dedicated staff of professionals, and engage with an extraordinary Jewish community – we would love to hear from you!
Further details on the job and on Talmud Torah’s mission:
——–
MISSION
The Talmud Torah of Minneapolis, the school of Adath Jeshurun and Beth El
congregations, engages students of all backgrounds in educational experiences that
provide a foundation and the lifelong tools for living an intentionally Jewish life.
VISION
To be a thriving school that offers a curriculum relevant to our students and their
families, that inspires a commitment to Torah and Jewish living, and that builds a deep connection with the land of Israel and all Jewish people.
JOB SUMMARY
The Principal/School Director of Talmud Torah, a Conservative supplementary Jewish
school for grades 2-8, will be responsible for:
• developing an innovative educational model that serves contemporary Jewish
students;
• building deeper connections and engagement with the families we serve; and
• communicating a meaningful, relevant value proposition for our educational
program.
Key responsibilities include developing an innovative curriculum and novel delivery
models; strategic recruiting and management of faculty and staff; building community among students, families, and our two synagogue communities; and overseeing the school’s administration and finances. The Principal/School Director reports to the Talmud Torah Board of Directors. Success in this position will be measured by the person’s ability to creatively execute the Strategic Plan adopted by the Talmud Torah Board of Directors in early 2015.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
Curriculum Development and Programming — Implements, maintains, and continually evaluates an innovative curriculum that reflects the values of partner synagogues and the contemporary needs of students and their families.
• Embraces creativity and flexibility in delivery models and teaching styles. Continually adapts and improves the educational model and its delivery.
• Displays collaborative style, original thinking, and creativity to generate
suggestions for improving efficiency and effectiveness. Seeks external expertise
as appropriate.
• Works with synagogue partners and faculty to develop long-range educational
goals for the school.
• Develops, communicates, and implements benchmarks to measure student
achievements.
• Provides opportunities for a variety of learning experiences that extend the
educational experience beyond the classroom.
• Supervises and coordinates special programs and events to fulfill the educational
goals of the school.
Jewish Education and Practice — Fosters a passion for Jewish learning and practice that is integrated with the partner synagogues and that supports the Mission and Vision.
• Actively engages in partner synagogue activities.
• Serves as a dugma for students, parents, and staff.
Strategic Staff Management — Recruits, manages, and develops highly qualified teachers and staff. Creates an environment that motivates superior performance. Retains top talent who will carry out the Mission and Vision of Talmud Torah.
• Actively communicates compelling and inspiring goals for the school; rallies
others behind the Mission and Vision.
• Mentors and develops employees by setting challenging goals and creating
development plans that enhance employees’ skills and encourage growth.
• Champions change; communicates effectively by building commitment and
overcoming resistance.
• Provides regular and timely performance feedback to employees.
• Creates a climate of cooperation, recognition, and stability.
Relationship Management and Community Building — Develops strong internal and external relationships while promoting a vibrant, engaged, and collaborative environment.
• Treats change as an opportunity for learning; focuses on the beneficial aspects
of change.
• Builds positive relationships with faculty, students, and families to help create an intentional and engaged community.
• Works with Board of Directors, parents, and partner synagogues to develop
programs that build a community of families between the supporting congregations.
• Fosters teamwork and instills passion among team members for our Mission and
Vision. Works to bring out the best in everyone. Provides useful, caring feedback
for growth of the team.
• Promotes inclusion activities, programs and policies. Actively encourages,
welcomes, and supports students of all learning needs as well as families of all
configurations and backgrounds.
• Cultivates positive relationships with donors, campus partners, and other
community organizations and leaders.
• Communicates effectively with diverse audiences, using traditional channels and
social media.
• Operates as an extension of the partner synagogues by participating in staff
meetings as requested and promoting synagogue activities.
Administrative and Financial Management
• Implements and manages administrative procedures that allow the school to run
efficiently.
• Supervises preparation and management of school’s annual budget.
• Maintains teacher and parent-student handbooks and ensures that they comply
with applicable laws and regulations. Ensures that staff complies with
handbooks and with all school policies and procedures.
• Implements and enforces the Talmud Torah Behavior Code and addresses
student discipline.
• Supervises all administrative activities of the school, including but not limited to:
o Back office operations.
o Parent communications and relationships.
o Marketing/communications to the community.
o Student enrollment, class assignments, grading.
o Faculty and staff scheduling and assignments.
o Administration of all employee benefits.
• Works with the Board and synagogue partners to implement fundraising and
development activities.
• Supports and implements decisions of the Board of Directors
Experience and Qualification Requirements:
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
• Clear understanding of and commitment to the cognitive and developmental
needs of students in grades 2 – 8.
• Knowledgeable in Jewish and Hebrew studies. Passion for Jewish learning and
teaching.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and adapt to change in a fast-paced environment
while maintaining high employee and student satisfaction and retention.
• Knowledge, understanding, and experience with best practices in curriculum
development and delivery, and knowledge and understanding of progressive and
alternative curriculum delivery models.
• Demonstrated ability to build trust and rapport with diverse populations, including faculty, students, community leaders, members, and donors.
• Effective Communicator in a variety of settings: one-on-one, small and large
groups, with all types of audiences. Effective in written and oral communication.
• Skills to help plan and participate in fundraising efforts.
• Ability to effectively lead formal and informal teams and build a collaborative
environment in the pursuit of shared goals.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion in handling sensitive issues in accordance with school policies and applicable laws.
• Computer competence, including Microsoft Office, email, and social media.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s degree in Education or related field required. Advanced degree
preferred.
• 3 years classroom teaching experience in Conservative Jewish/Hebrew
education required.
• 5 years school administration experience required, including but not limited to
experience with faculty recruitment, mentoring and management, curriculum and
programming oversight, and budget development.
• 2 years of experience required in planning and implementing fundraising
activities and programs.
• Proven experience working in supplementary Jewish educational programs
strongly preferred.
Additional Information:
How To Apply:
To apply, please email your resume and cover letter, along with salary history and requirements, to:[email protected]
