The Organization

Since it began operating in 1997, the See Forever Foundation's mission has been to create learning communities in lower-income urban areas where all students, particularly those who have not succeeded in traditional schools, can succeed academically and socially. The Foundation operates the Maya Angelou Public Charter Schools in DC, as well as the Maya Angelou Academy at New Beginnings’ secure facility for committed youth in Laurel, MD. Our students develop the academic, social, and employment skills they need to build rewarding lives and promote positive change.

If you are interested in learning more about See Forever, please visit our website at www.seeforever.org.

The Touchstone

At the Maya Angelou Schools, the key to our success is rooted in building trusting, respectful, and nurturing relationships with each other. We strive to create safe spaces for all to be able to reach their limitless potential. We are at our best when we work together to ensure the unique needs of our community are met. We empower each other to grow successfully so we can see forever! This is how we live the Maya Way, even when no one is watching.

Position Overview

The Principal leads the school to extend and enrich its history of excellence, develops the capacity of the staff and faculty to deliver a high-quality academic program, and uses data to drive continuous improvement in instruction. The worksite and tour of duty for this position is located in a juvenile correctional facility.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

• Providing leadership for all aspects of the school program to ensure a high-quality holistic learning environment for the scholars enrolled at the Maya Angelou Schools.
• Effectively managing a highly skilled and motivated staff, including recruiting staff, ensuring staff development, and retaining talented staff
• Maintaining a collegial professional learning community that ensures that staff are inspired to educate themselves and continuously improve the outcomes of the scholars
• Analyzing data to monitor student outcomes and ensure a continuous improvement process
• Coordinating with leadership and direct care staff to ensure that the policies and procedures of the secure-facility staff complement the work of the school to create an effective and efficient school program for the scholars
• Effectively communicating about the work to the See Forever board members, District and other officials, community partners, and stakeholders

Qualifications

• Master’s degree, preferably in educational leadership and/or curriculum and instruction (required)
• OSSE certification or eligible for certification (required)
• Have a minimum of five years experience in urban education, working with adolescents in a correctional setting, or working with adolescents/young adults who have not succeeded in traditional settings and are functioning significantly below grade level
• Exhibit the ability to articulate a vision of excellence for a school community and to create and maintain the support structures necessary to achieve the vision
• Demonstrate a history of working effectively with staff and school-based partners as well as external stakeholders to create an achievement-oriented school focus regardless of challenges
• Have a proven track record of working with and/or designing programs to prepare adolescents to transition from high school to work or postsecondary education
• Effectively respond to demands of multiple stakeholders, using a leadership style characterized by consensus-building, initiative, clear judgment on sensitive issues, self-reflection, inspiration, and creativity
• Have experience in and a commitment to using data and results to drive instruction, programming, change, and improvement.
• Embrace a school culture that requires all staff to work beyond the traditional school hours and school year in order to create an environment filled with hope and high expectations, where students will radically improve their academic, employment, and social skills
• Building positive relationships with the scholars and their families and/or support networks
• Possess an unrelenting belief that all students can achieve and succeed.

Site Description

The Youth Services Center (YSC) is the District of Columbia’s detention center for male and female youth, responsible for the care and custody of young people placed in secure detention by court order from the DC Superior Court Family Court Division.

Salary and Benefits

Our salaries are comparable to those of other public schools in the District of Columbia area. In addition, See Forever offers a robust benefits plan, including health care coverage, HSA/FSA and dependent care accounts, voluntary dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability options, commuter benefits, a 401k retirement savings plan, student loan refinancing options, and the opportunity to positively impact students with a broad range of experiences and backgrounds.

See Forever is an equal-opportunity employer. We believe a diverse staff is a better, more effective staff.