Head of School - International Baccalaureate (IB) PYP

Great things are happening at Battle Creek Public Schools!

Battle Creek Public Schools (BCPS) is located in Calhoun County, Michigan (between Chicago and Detroit), serving the City of Battle Creek as well as parts of Emmett, Pennfield and Bedford townships, and the City of Springfield. With a bold goal of achieving 100% success for every Bearcat, we offer a broad range of educational experiences to meet the individual needs of students at all levels, including experiential learning, individualized instruction, advanced and accelerated curricula, and outdoor education.
 
In 2017, BCPS received an historic investment from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and we are continuing our transformation plan, advancing bold, top-to-bottom changes to provide a world-class career, college, and community-ready education for every student, in every grade, at every school. In May of 2023, we were thrilled to announce an average teacher pay increase of more than $10,000, positioning us as one of the best paying districts for teachers in Southwest Michigan.

We offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits (including up to $20k in home purchase assistance), and opportunities for professional development. Apply now and join the Bearcat family.


Position Summary: 
The role of the Head of School at Fremont International Academy is key to the successful implementation of the IB programme. The Head of School leads the pedagogical leadership team within the school ensuring alignment to the beliefs, attitudes, mind-sets and practices that support the IB teaching and learning. It is imperative for the Head of School to be guided by the following principles: 

• Supports and advances the Mission, Vision and Values of the School
• Supports student learning and achievement through cooperative effort and best practices. 
• Supports and promotes the curriculum based upon the IB goals and mission.                                                        
• Supports and advances international education. 

With a targeted lens, the Head of School is to provide the leadership for ensuring the student experience at Fremont International Academy reflects the integrity of implementation of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme model (PYP).  

• Ensures the continuity of the programme through developing systems. 
• A vital aspect of a PYP coordinator’s role is collaborative planning with all teachers. This requires a deep understanding of what constitutes a good collaborative learning team with its variety of roles.
• The PYP coordinator is responsible for conducting induction into PYP for new faculty and staff and being part of the collaborative decision making regarding PD initiatives within the school.
• The PYP coordinator ensures information about the PYP is disseminated clearly and effectively to all members of the school and IB community. In addition, the PYP coordinator is responsible for the communication with the relevant IB office.

Position Responsibilities:

Instructional Leadership & School Improvement

• Provide leadership, vision, and inspiration to staff and students; set high expectations for all learners.
• Serve as a member of the school’s Leadership Team to develop and implement strategic plans, including the IB (PYP) curriculum and school improvement initiatives.
• Lead the analysis of student achievement data to drive instruction and develop, implement, and evaluate continuous school improvement and student academic achievement plans.
• Supervise instructional programs and personnel to monitor performance, promote professional growth, and ensure instructional excellence aligned with research on learning and development.
• Promote best practices in student learning and close the achievement gap through data-driven decision-making, continuous monitoring, and targeted interventions.
• Provide instructional coaching, mentoring, peer support, and facilitate team teaching to enhance classroom instruction.
• Evaluate assigned staff to ensure that professional standards are achieved and instructional goals are met.
• Initiate and lead professional learning programs, including PLCs, interdisciplinary unit development, and current pedagogy and assessment practices.
• Collaborate with BCPS instructional coaches and PYP/IB networks to share best practices and sustain high-quality instruction.
   

IB Programme Implementation & Oversight

• Lead and manage the implementation, development, and evaluation of the PYP curriculum in alignment with IB philosophy and the school’s mission.
• Ensure IB documentation is up-to-date, accurate, and aligned with IBO requirements for authorization and evaluation.
• Guide the development and revision of key IB documents and practices including transdisciplinary units, Programme of Inquiry (POI), scope and sequence documents, assessment protocols, and Exhibition guidelines.
• Collaborate with PYP coordinators within the IB network and IBSOM to ensure a successful program continuum.
• Lead IB accreditation and review processes, including planning and preparation for site visits.
   

School Culture, Climate & Community Engagement

• Establish a professional rapport with students and staff; model and promote high ethical standards and a strong commitment to learning.
• Promote a safe, orderly, and inclusive school environment that fosters student responsibility, high morale, and positive behavior.
• Create and maintain a climate of strong parent and community involvement; host informational sessions, attend recruitment fairs, lead school tours, and visit partner schools.
• Communicate effectively with all stakeholders regarding IB policies, requirements, school events, and student progress via meetings, letters, blogs, newsletters, and other formats.
• Attend and lead meetings including parent events, grade-level team meetings, program-specific gatherings, and job-alike sessions.

Policy, Compliance & Operations

• Assist in recruiting and retaining students and staff based on instructional and programmatic needs.
• Participate in and lead school-based teams including Instructional Leadership Teams, PLCs, Student Success Teams, and Positive School Experience Teams.
   

Other

• Plan and lead events and activities that showcase student learning and achievement.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Director of Elementary Education.

Qualifications:

• Master's degree in educational administration or related field required
• Valid Michigan School Administrator Certificate required 
• Five or more years of successful teaching experience
• Three years of demonstrated successful school-based leadership experience, preferably at the PYP elementary level
• Understanding and demonstrated knowledge of IB PYP framework and practices
• Demonstration of successful use of data to improve student learning
• A strong background in curriculum, instruction and assessment
• Experience contributing in an urban school district

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Strong educational leadership skills
• Clear focus on student learning
• Commitment to high levels of student achievement
• Capacity to institute change, not merely maintain the status quo
• Comprehensive understanding of school and classroom practices that contribute to high levels of student achievement
• Willingness to provide staff with the necessary support so they are able to carry out effective instructional practices
• Capacity to model important values and behaviors to the school and the community
• Ability to collect, analyze, and use data in ways that promote educational excellence
• Ability to communicate at highly proficient levels verbally and in writing and fluent in new technologies
• Commitment to high expectations for self, students and staff
• Appreciation of diversity as a strength
• Understanding of collaborative practices including Professional Learning Communities
• Demonstrated skills in developing a managing budgets and building finances consistent with instructional and district goals
• Demonstrates ability to reflect on school practices and promote continuous improvement
• Supervise and evaluate the performance of each staff member and establish individualized plans for improvement
• Capacity to develop constructive and respectful relationships with staff, students, parents, and other stakeholders
• Foster a climate of creative and innovative practices in the school
• Abreast of current educational trends
• Highly developed organizational skills

Salary: $97,037 - $115,346

Contract: 212 Days (10 Months)
 

SCHOOL SAFETY CLEARANCE:  The successful candidate will be subject to a fingerprint and background check as a condition of employment.  All fees required for this check (estimated $73.00) will be the responsibility of the successful applicant.
 

The Battle Creek Public School District is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, handicap, sex, age, religion, national origin, weight, height, or marital status in its employment practices.