Job description
Waldorf Independent School of Edmonton (WISE) Interim Principal – 1.0 FTE
We are inviting applications from innovative and visionary educational leaders for an anticipated Principal vacancy for the 2023-2024 school year with the possibility of extension.
Qualifications:
To prepare for this role, you have:
1. Master’s degree, complete or near completion, in educational leadership or a related field
2. Alberta Leadership Quality Standard (LQS) certification or commitment to complete
3. A proven record of successful educational leadership & teaching experiences
4. Bachelor of Education and valid Alberta teaching certificate (*important: please do not apply for this role if this degree and certification is not currently in place as it is a necessary requirement). If you have any questions regarding your eligibility please contact Alberta Education or AISCA directly. It is imperative to note that the WISE cannot advise on any candidate qualifications in this regard.
5. Waldorf Teacher Training Certification, or comparable Waldorf teaching and leading experience.
Application packages should include the following:
- A cover letter.
- A resume summarizing related experiences
- A statement of educational philosophy
- Copy of your Alberta Permanent Teaching Certification
- Copy of all post-secondary degrees & certifications
- Up to five confidential reference contacts
Successful applicants will be asked for additional documentation.
This is a full-time interim position for the 2023-24 school year with the possibility of extension. Start date to be determined. This posting will remain open until current openings are filled, and prospective pool applicants for future openings have been identified. Interested candidates should submit all pertinent documents to hr@thewise.ca
The Waldorf Independent School of Edmonton (WISE)
The WISE was established as an accredited independent school in 2011. It serves the learning needs of approximately 200 students from Kindergarten to Grade 9 and is centrally located in Edmonton in ᐊᒥᐢᑿᒌᐚᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ (Amiskwacîwâskahikan) on Treaty 6/Métis territory. The WISE is part of a broader Waldorf educational movement of over twelve hundred schools worldwide with a one-hundred-year-old educational pedagogy. Blending Waldorf pedagogy and Alberta curricula, the WISE integrates academic, artistic, and experiential learning to develop critical thinking, foster creativity and imagination, and enliven core subjects through purposeful activity. Our Faculty engage in collaborative leadership, which contributes to the school culture and supports the professional learning community through pedagogical study, action research, and an ongoing commitment to professional and personal development in support of enhancing student learning through teaching and leading.
The School Leader Candidate
The following school leader profile reflects the leadership competencies, attributes, skills and knowledge required for the role of Principal.
A successful Principal candidate will:
be a confident, energetic and positive person who is:
- visible, and approachable in fostering positive relationships with members of the school and local community
- a trusting, respectful and supportive relationship builder who acts with fairness, respect and integrity
- an effective, open two-way communicator who models and promotes open, collaborative dialogue between staff and community members
- a visionary leader who collaborates with the school community to create and implement a shared vision for student success, engagement, learning and well-being
- a positive role model dedicated to excellence through high expectations of self and others
- an innovative, reflective and engaged career-long learner focused on continuous improvement
- an organized and strategic planner who effectively directs school operations to support optimal student learning
- acts consistently in the best interests of students.
be an experienced teacher and school administrator with knowledge and skills in:
- cultivating quality teaching through differentiated instruction and effective pedagogy within a continuum of supports (universal to individualized)
- demonstrating a solid understanding of Waldorf pedagogy and curriculum
- creating a welcoming, caring, respectful, and safe learning environment
- instructional leadership and staff development based on current research that ensures every student has access to quality teaching and optimum learning experiences
- enabling opportunities for members of the school community to develop leadership capacity and support others in fulfilling their educational roles.
- establishing home/school communication plans that effectively report the progress of student learning and achievement to parents.
be able to sustain a shared commitment to:
- promoting, leading, and supporting the collaborative work of professional learning communities within the school
- being an advocate for their school community within the framework of collaborative leadership.
- the vision of Engagement, Support and Success for each learner.
- Reconciliation and reciprocal relationships to support the application of Foundational Knowledge about First Nations, Métis and Inuit;developing collaborative relationships with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Cultural Advisors, local leaders and community members within a holistic approach to child development
Responsibilities:
In collaboration with committees and staff, the Principal is responsible for the following:
Waldorf Pedagogy and Alberta Education curriculum alignment
In conjunction with the Executive Administrator, the Principal will collaborate with the teaching staff to align Waldorf pedagogy and Alberta Curriculum.
The Principal is responsible for representing the Waldorf pedagogical approach alongside Alberta Education educational priorities, AWSNA and WECAN principles, and policies in reporting/assurance documents and meetings, as well as communicating strategies and priorities to the Faculty through professional development and mentorship.
Annual Reports
The Principal will work with the Administrative Coordinator and Executive Administrator to complete the Annual Education Plan and the Annual Education Results Report, as well as any emerging government submission requirements and any other stakeholder results reports such as; WISE survey results, AWSNA Self-Study, WECAN accreditation, City of Edmonton Shared Use agreements, Ottewell Neighbourhood, and the Social Enterprise Foundation annual priorities report.
Surveys
The Principal will work with the Administrative Coordinator and other office staff to prepare and administer yearly surveys required by Alberta Education, including student, staff and parent surveys.
Provincial Assessment and Grants
The Principal will oversee and coordinate mandatory Provincial Literacy and Numeracy Tests (Gr 1-3), Provincial Achievement Testing (Gr. 6 & 9) and Provincial grants (including reporting) required by the government.
Student Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting
The Principal will coordinate and review student assessment, evaluation and reporting cycles at the WISE. The Principal is familiar with formative and summative assessment best practices to support student learning, engagement and communication. Fountas and Pinell, CC3, LeNs, Numeracy Nets, and provincial numeracy tests are assessment tools used to determine areas for growth, student support, and data-informed benchmarks to inform skills assessment reports and year-end reports. The principal reviews and approves skills assessment reports and year-end reports.
IPP preparation and review
The Principal works with teachers to guide the IPP (Individual Program Plan) and BSP (Behaviour Support plan) process for individual students and families and ensure that documents are developed, signed, and filed in the student file. The Principal may recommend student professional service supports, assessments, or community supports as part of creating comprehensive learning support plans. The Principal will work with the administrative Coordinator and individual teachers to follow up with students’ resource needs and funding access.
Teacher Evaluation and Supervision
The Principal oversees and coordinates teacher supervision per the Education Act and Leadership Quality Standards. The Principal coordinates and oversees Teacher Evaluation, including annual evaluation schedules, permanent certification, individual requests and Teacher Professional Growth Plans (TPGP) with the administrative support of the Executive Administrator.
Leadership Quality Standards
The Principal maintains the Alberta Leadership Quality Standard (LQS) certification or commitment to completing the required 400 and 500-level courses during their first year of employment.
Faculty Council, Full Faculty, Executive Board, Division and Administrative team meetings
The Principal is a key member of the Faculty Council, Full Faculty, Executive Board, Divisions, and Administrative team. The Principal communicates any changes in Education legislation, Assurance reporting, Self-Study, Student assessment, Annual surveys, Student discipline or any other aspect of Education which pertains to teaching leading, student learning or community engagement as part of these meetings. Attendance is essential. Meeting schedules are set weekly, monthly or bi-monthly, primarily in the evenings. The principal co-chairs monthly Full Faculty meetings.
Education Program Planning and Priorities
The Principal works with the Executive Administrator, Faculty Council, and WESE Board President to determine WISE educational program plan priorities for the current and upcoming year, including staffing plans and budget oversight. Seeking to creatively instill and deliver best practices from a Waldorf pedagogical perspective while meeting the needs of our growing community, and supporting the WISE mission and vision. Maintain and support celebrating seasonal festival life and assemblies.
Visioning
The Principal will work with the Executive Administrator, Faculty Council and WESE Board to engage in WESE/WISE visioning for the health and stability of the organization ongoing.
Parent Education
Develop and provide comprehensive resources for parent community engagement. Support teachers with pedagogical and content resources in preparation for Class parent evening meetings.
Enrollment
The Principal works with the registrar, and Enrollment team as an advisor to support healthy enrollment and sustainability of the WISE programs. The Principal assists with open houses and other promotional school events.
Conferences, Associations and Representing the WISE
The Principal will regularly attend gatherings/conferences and PD sessions provided by Alberta Education, AISCA and AWSNA, along with other administrative team members. The Principal will host yearly meetings and tours with visiting government and representatives of provincial education representatives. The Principal will work with the Administrative team (EA, Faculty Council & Chair, Assistant Principals, Division Chairs, with Administrative Coordinator) to continue to meet AWSNA requirements and plan for scheduled AWSNA mentoring visits.
Extra-Curricular
The Principal is responsible for co-coordinating and supporting student activities (clubs, GSA, athletics) that enhance the program priorities.
Professional Development (PD) and Meetings
The Principal, in partnership with Administrative leadership, is expected to support, design, facilitate, attend and participate in a leadership role in the following professional development at the WISE:
- August PD
- May Edmonton Gateways conference
- Designated school PD days
- Faculty Council
- Weekly division meetings
- Full faculty meetings
Relationship with WESE
Coordinate and facilitate, with Executive Administrator and WESE Executive Board, visioning and planning for the development and growth of the WISE, including (3) annual WISE/WESE meetings, Aug/Jan/Jun. Provide input and feedback on day-to-day operations, identifying improvements and efficiencies in running the WISE school. Work with WESE to create a nurturing and community-focused education environment for the WISE.
Staff are guided by the philosophy, policies and procedures outlined in the WISE Employee Handbook, Alberta Teacher Code of Conduct, Leadership and Teacher Quality Standards.
Salary and Benefits:
Annual starting salary is $94,000.00. Joining the benefits and matching RRSP program is optional.
Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Salary: From $94,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Extended health care
- RRSP match
Application deadline: 2023-04-26
