Upper School Assistant Academic Director (2020-2021 School Year)

Quad Preparatory School

Updated: May 21, 2020

Classification: Exempt

Reports to: Upper School Academic Director

The Quad Preparatory School is an alternative, non-profit, K-12 college preparatory school dedicated to the education of twice-exceptional students, bright and creative children who learn differently. Quad Prep is a young, fast-growing school founded in 2013 that is a vibrant professional and collegial learning community for employees.

The Quad Preparatory School transforms the lives of twice-exceptional people – those who are gifted and learn differently – by redefining the experience of school. Our personalized model fully integrates social and emotional learning with challenging academics, empowering our students to rise to the level of their extraordinary talents. Through our innovative programs we are leading a larger movement in service of both twice-exceptional people and society at large.

Our teachers, clinicians, and staff joined together to craft our statement of values, which we are proud to share:

Quad Prep is a kind and joyful learning community where everyone is celebrated for who they are.

We ignite students’ strengths and passions and allow for safe academic pursuit at the highest levels by learning from mistakes.

We are trustworthy and steadfast, and our high academic expectations challenge students to grow uniquely as people and in the way they learn.

We widen our students’ perspectives, giving them the tools to know themselves and find success in the future of their choosing.

We never give up on each other and are driven by the ethos of “not if, but how.”

The Quad Preparatory School is looking for an Upper School Assistant Academic Director. This is an ideal entry-level administrative position for a teacher leader looking to transition into administration. The Assistant Director serves as a member of a five-person Upper School leadership team that includes the Academic Director, the Clinical Director, the Chief Learning Specialist, and the Chief of Psychosocial Learning/Associate Clinical Director.

The Upper School Assistant Academic Director will have the opportunity to receive mentorship, coaching, and support from the senior academic administrators and the clinicians. A benefit of this position is the amount of professional development one will obtain in working with twice-exceptional youth and in being mentored by veteran academic administrators and clinicians.

Expectations:

Assist the Director of Academic Affairs, the Upper School Academic Director, the department chairs, and the faculty in developing and refining high-quality curriculum in all subject areas.
Oversee student arrival, dismissal, lunch, and outdoor time, including assigning staff to ensure adequate supervision and coverage.
Lead, in collaboration with the Chief Learning Specialist, any diagnostic testing that may be required for placement.
Coordinate, in collaboration with the Chief Learning Specialist, all elements of standardized testing (e.g., SAT, SAT II, AP, NWEA MAP), including requests for accommodations, registering students, assigning proctors, determining testing dates, and coordinating with parents on payment for exams.
Implement, in coordination with the Upper School Academic Director and the Chief Learning Specialist, academic advisement programs for the school, including logistical and practice support for the college applications process.
Assign permanent substitutes each day, including determining where subs are most needed when the number of vacancies exceeds the number of subs and how subs can be utilized when there are no vacancies on a given day.
Once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, identify, plan, and arrange opportunities within New York City for curricular enrichment, including guest speakers, field trips, mentorships, and supplemental resources.
Support teachers in providing online learning to students during times when COVID-19 necessitates that some or all of our students are not on campus.
Work, in collaboration with the sixth-grade team, to ensure a smooth transition to Upper School for all sixth graders.
Assist the Upper School Academic Director in reviewing and editing progress reports and report cards.
Attend regular administrative and faculty meetings that deal with both routine and non-routine matters and allow for a respectful exchange of ideas.
Maintain positive and direct contact with the parent body, establishing open lines of communication and developing strong and supportive relationships
Follow the professional code and policies of the school and conduct oneself in a way that promotes the mission of the school.
Model a work ethic that is exemplary, ambitious, flexible, collaborative, creative, and responsive.
Utilize Google Suite, in particular Google Drive, Docs, and Sheets.
Attend all faculty and staff meetings and required special events (e.g., open houses, Curriculum Night).
Perform other duties as assigned.

Competencies:

Love for working with children and teachers
Desire and ability to work with students with special needs
Coaching, mentoring, and evaluating educators
Ability to connect with school constituents, including students, parents, faculty, staff, and administration
Effective oral and written communication
A solid understanding of the academic, social, and emotional development of children ages 11-18.
Attention to detail
Maintaining confidentiality and privacy
Ethical conduct
Time management and the ability to multitask
Teamwork, collaboration, and leadership
Patience and flexibility

Work Environment:

This job operates in a school setting. The school is located on the first, fifth, and sixth floors of a building with an elevator. This role requires working in various locations around the school and occasional travel to the Lower School campus approximately two blocks away.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and listen. This position is active and involves standing and walking. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move items under 20 pounds. During fire drills, the employee, unless physically unable, will need to use the stairs to go to ground level from the fifth or sixth floor. Typing is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time position in an educational facility which is open eight hours a day. The Assistant Director works ten months out of the year according to the academic calendar (late August to late June) and will also work up to ten additional days during the teachers’ summer vacation. Occasional evening or weekend hours are required. In general, though, hours are Monday-Friday 8:15 A.M.-4:15 P.M.

Required Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in secondary education, special education, educational administration, or a related field.
At least five years of teaching experience in grades 6-12.

Preferred Education and Experience:

Master’s degree in secondary education, special education, educational administration, or a related field.
Experience teaching special-education students, including twice-exceptional youth.
Independent school leadership experience such as team leader, department chair, curriculum leader, and/or mentor.
Special education training, including training in the areas of gifted education and twice-exceptional youth.
Training in educational leadership.

AAP/EEO Statement: The Quad Preparatory School is based on an inclusive philosophy that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sex, age, disability, marital status, creed, sexual orientation, familial status, citizenship, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by law in the hiring, retention, or promotion of employees; nor in determining their rank, or the compensation or fringe benefits paid them.