Principal - Texas Connections Academy

Company Summary

Texas Connections Academy (TCA) is a Texas Online School that offers 100% virtual instruction to public school students across Texas in grades 3-12 who are not physically present on campus during instruction. The TxVSN OLS program is authorized by Texas Education Code (TEC) Chapter 30A and administered through TEA. Connections Education, LLC is in partnership with Houston ISD and Mineral Wells School District to provide this high quality and rigorous virtual instruction through TCA.

Position Summary and Responsibilities

Texas Connections Academy seeks a dynamic, visionary instructional leader and change agent to serve as its Principal to support their Mineral Wells school in Texas. The Principal is responsible for setting the instructional vision of the school. This position ensures all students receive a personalized learning experience by implementing a distance education instructional program with fidelity.

Working from a home office in Texas (with residency in Mineral Wells preferred) and occasional work in the Houston, TX office, the Principal is responsible for overseeing the overall school operations by working with parents, students, support staff, and certified teachers who "virtually" facilitate a home-based student instructional program. The Principal is also responsible for working with external stakeholders on matters of policy, budget, academic outcomes, reporting, and supervision. The Principal will report to the Executive Director of Texas Connections Academy.

Key responsibilities include the following:

• Work directly with Mineral Wells ISD on all matters regarding the successful school launch and implement the program with fidelity;
• Ensure the vision for the school is embedded in the school's culture to ensure success;
• Instructional leader for the school;
• Oversee the implementation of the proven school curriculum and school operation protocols;
• Responsible for establishing, monitoring, implementing the school's budget which includes staffing, budgeting, grants, and contracts in accordance with Texas laws and regulations;
• Ensure staff exhibit and maintain a high level of professionalism, instructional support, and customer service by fostering an environment of collaboration and cohesiveness;
• Deliver the academic success and outcomes of the school as defined in the school's contract and in the state's accountability system;
• Develop and maintain a schoolwide culture of continuous academic and operational improvement as evidenced through the creation, implementation, management, and monitoring of a robust School Improvement Plan;
• Use data to drive instructional decisions for the school, and hold staff accountable for student success;
• Establish and monitor schoolwide processes to ensure year over year academic growth and academic goals are met and maintained;
• Ensure all state reporting is completed correctly and on time;
• Maintain relationships with the authorizers and the Texas Education Agency while staying current on the state's policies, procedures, and legislation, including Special Education policies and procedures;
• Attend authorizer meetings (as applicable);
• The School Leader will collaborate with the Mineral Wells Independent School District and the Texas Education Agency on school related matters;
• Provide the authorizers with regular written and verbal reports and updates (if applicable);
• Exhibit high quality, timely communication with all school staff, students, and families;
• Work closely with Pearson Virtual Schools staff to implement the Connections Academy operational model;
• Manage and develop a high performing school leadership team;
• Work with the Leadership Team to implement any program changes processes and procedures, and/or new software application introductions;
• Handle any student, parent or teacher issues escalated from stakeholders,
• Collaborate on the management, contracting and/or delivery of Special Education services to ensure the school is in compliance with state and federal laws;
• Oversee the implementation and coordination of state standardized testing process and ensure high student participation rates meet state and federal guidelines;
• Act as the "face of the school" and school advocate at school events (including state testing and marketing) and with the Texas Education Agency, the Legislature, or other policy groups. This could include testimony;
• Help coordinate stakeholders to provide testimony or statements on legislative matters.
• Supervise and evaluate school staff; and
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Texas residency with Mineral Wells residency preferred
• Texas Administrator Endorsement/License required
• Minimum of 5 years administrative or management experience required (Virtual Charter School management is a plus)
• Strong leadership qualities and a commitment to goal-directed management and accountability
• Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Education and/or Educational Leadership from a regionally accredited college/university
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Customer-focused approach
• Flexible, ability to transition from task to task quickly
• Demonstrated ability to work well in fast-paced environment
• Team player
• Technologically proficient (especially with Microsoft Office products and Google Suite)
• Ability to travel for school meetings, marketing events, and state testing. Overnight travel required at times.