Alma del Mar Charter School

About Alma

Alma del Mar is a K-8 charter school whose mission is to put every one of our scholars on the path to college and to challenge them to be service-minded leaders. We do this by immersing our scholars in a highly demanding, highly supportive environment where they receive a content–rich education. As an Expeditionary Learning school, Alma brings to life a three dimensional vision of student achievement that includes mastery of knowledge and skills, character, and high-quality student work.

We’re located in New Bedford, Massachusetts, a beautiful coastal city known for its history as the heart of the whaling industry and as a central hub of the abolitionist movement.

Alma gets results for kids. Alma scholars not only outperform their district peers on MCAS, they often outperform their peers in the surrounding suburbs. In some areas, our scholar achievement now matches some of the highest performing schools in the Commonwealth. We have been nationally recognized for our work with English Language Learners.

The Director of Culture Role

The Director of Culture will be responsible for ensuring that Alma del Mar maintains a safe, joyful and orderly environment where learning takes center stage. The Director of Culture is on the Senior Leadership Team. They also work closely with the Principal, Dean of Culture, and other school leaders on the school leadership teams.

At Alma we believe that talent is the most important lever driving student success. We know that we can best serve our scholars by helping you to meet your long-term professional growth and career goals.

Network-Wide Leadership

  • Create and steward a vision for school culture that creates the conditions for academic success and fulfillment of Alma del Mar’s mission
  • Set and take responsibility for culture goals for the network, including discipline, school climate, and family engagement goals
  • Work with leaders to plan and facilitate high quality training for Alma staff
  • Coach school leaders to create and facilitate strong routines and rituals.
  • Ensure the network is in compliance with laws and regulations related to, but not limited to, discipline, deescalation, bullying, and social emotional instruction

Team Leadership

The Director of Culture coaches the Deans of Culture to effectively coach the campus culture teams, including behavior interventionists and fellows/RBTs, toward high performance. This includes conducting weekly observations and one on one meetings, coaching on targeted areas and evaluating performance.

Core Responsibilities

  • Compellingly communicate the vision for school culture with all stakeholders
  • Ensure all school-wide behavior management systems and culture-building practices align with the vision for school culture
  • Track and analyze non-academic student data; work with appropriate stakeholders to respond to the data
  • Train staff directly on implementation of behavior management systems and culture-building practices as needed
  • Train and build the capacity of Deans of Culture to independently steward the vision for culture at their campuses
  • Support Deans of Culture in making disciplinary decisions, including but not limited to suspensions and alternatives to suspension
  • Work with members of the School Leadership Team to solve pressing tactical and strategic issues
  • Lead suspension hearings as needed, including but not limited to short-term suspensions, long-term suspensions, or expulsions
  • Lead coordination on special cases for discipline issues that go beyond the classroom, including but not limited to cases involving DCF, Juvenile Court, Title VI, Title IX, McKinney-Vento, etc
  • Collaborate effectively with the Director of Network Scholar Support on special cases involving scholars with IEPs or 504s
  • Lead family engagement efforts and conduct parent meetings as needed
  • Work with outside agencies and community partners to connect our scholars with the additional non-academic resources they need

This is a year round position. It is planned to start on or before July 1, 2024.

Who We’re Looking For

We seek outstanding leaders with the following qualifications:

  • A bachelor's degree or higher is required.
  • At least two years of experience teaching or working in a K-12 school culture or behavior role required.
  • At least one year of experience in school leadership or coaching, as a Principal, Assistant Principal, Dean of Culture, Dean of Students, Special Education Leader, or similar role, required.
  • Experience working in a high achieving K-12 public charter or district school with a high population of students with IEPs and English Language Learners strongly preferred.
  • Must hold Massachusetts DESE SEI teacher endorsement or obtain it within first year-
    • If you do not yet have an SEI endorsement learn more here: https://www.doe.mass.edu/licen... unwavering commitment to the belief that all kids can succeed
    • Proven effectiveness leading by example and coaching adults
    • Humility, resilience, and a hunger to learn and grow
    • A high level of personal organization and planning
    • Bilingual candidates are highly encouraged to apply, especially those with proficiency in Spanish, Portuguese, Cape Verdean Creole or Haitian Creole.

    What You Can Expect

    • Weekly one on one meetings with your manager
    • The opportunity to have meaningful impact on the school network and the community
    • A strong benefits package including medical, dental, vision insurance, retirement matching and paid parental leave
    • The autonomy to make decisions and do what is best to support the leaders, teachers and students you work with every day
    • Friendly, supportive, #almazing colleagues

    Compensation: Salary will commensurate with experience. The salary range is $100,000-$120,000 annually for Director.

    To Apply: Please visit our career page: https://www.almadelmar.org/apps/pages/jobs

    Please include specific data in your resume demonstrating the success of your students and the adults you have coached.

    Alma del Mar is an equal opportunity employer and an organization that values diversity. People from all diverse backgrounds and identities are strongly encouraged to apply. Spanish language proficiency is a plus.


%FOOTER_POWERED_BY%breezy