Founded as a charter school in 2001, Academia César Chavez is known for its best practices with English language learners, community collaborations, and family engagement. The school provides a quality, dual-language education in an environment of Latino cultural values. ACC is dedicated to quality education and closing the achievement gap for Latino children. The school is open to all students and their families at no cost and admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin. ACC has recently added a Pre-K program to it K-6 program and plans to add Grades Seven and Eight in the coming year. The school is currently engaged in a building project on its current site, with completion expected by August 2016. Academia César Chavez is authorized by the University of Saint Thomas.
Academia César Chavez is an affiliate of the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) and part of its charter school network. The school incorporates the core qualities identified by the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) as a foundation for meeting its mission. Those qualities include:
High expectations and high support
Collaborative leadership
Partnerships with institutions of higher education
Cultural competence
Bilingualism and biliteracy
Sustained, meaningful relationships
Family engagement and community collaboration
Continuous performance-based assessment
Academia César Chavez is searching for a new Executive Director to build on successes of the past while continuing to advance student achievement and increase the school’s enrollment. The new Executive Director will replace the school’s Founding Director, who recently announced her retirement.
CANDIDATE PROFILE
Academia César Chavez is looking for an executive leader who is:
Knowledgeable about the educational and societal needs of Latino and urban learners and their families
Uncompromising in the belief that disadvantaged urban youth can achieve academic excellence
Committed to and passionate about the school’s mission and vision
A coalition builder, a partner who mobilizes key stakeholders across the community to advance the school’s mission and vision
A skilled, pragmatic leader of a team responsible for designing and delivering results-oriented programming
AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
The Executive Director is responsible for the following:
Providing leadership to the school’s administration, faculty, and staff in support of advancing the mission, vision, and values of the school
Maintaining a climate that attracts and motivates high quality faculty, staff, and volunteers
Providing an educational environment that is safe and conducive to achieving academic excellence.
Assuring compliance with all state and federal laws and regulations governing the operation of charter schools.
Along with the Board of Directors, ensuring prudent and responsible financial management of the school, maintaining the school’s financial viability
Leading strategic planning; making sure annual and longer-range goals are met
Leading the McKnight Education and Learning Initiative
Providing information and counsel to the Board related to policies and programs; reporting to the Board on performance and impact
Providing direct management, supervision, and coaching of the Leadership Team
Serving as the face of the school in the local community and the broader Latino community
Cultivating relationships and serving as liaison with community organizations and partners
In partnership with the Board, playing a leadership role in connecting with key political, philanthropic, corporate, and other entities to obtain financial and in-kind support
Representing ACC to the University of St. Thomas, Minnesota Department of Education, and National Council of La Raza.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
A Master’s degree in Educational Administration and Leadership or a related field (required)
Experience:
Five or more years leadership experience in a nonprofit community organization, charter school, other academic institution, or other related business (highly preferred)
Experience in innovative education program development for at-risk, urban Latino students is strongly preferred
Important Skills and Characteristics:
Fluency in Spanish and English and a Spanish-English bi-cultural orientation and competence (required)
Knowledge of the educational and societal needs of Latino and urban learners and their families
Demonstrated competency in developing and managing a budget of at least $5 million
Strong organizational, interpersonal, and leadership skills
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Competency in hiring, supervising, developing, and delegating to staff
How to apply
Cincinnatus invites interested candidates to send an electronic letter of introduction and resume to: employment@cincinnatus.com, or a hard copy to Employment, Cincinnatus, Colonial Warehouse Suite 478, 212 Third Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55401.
Applications will be accepted until May 8, 2015.