School Principal

Job Summary

OVERVIEW
Founded as a Chinese language school in 1916, the Kwong Kow Chinese School (KKCS) currently offers academic and cultural enrichment programs to children of Chinese immigrants and local families in the Greater Boston area through its three core programs: After School, Weekend Chinese Language & Culture, and Summer Program. Licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), KKCS in recent years has expanded its operations to include large group and school age child care programs. As it embarks on its second century of continuous operations, KKCS is seeking a passionate educator, administrator, and ambassador as its School Principal to sustain its strong service to Boston area families, and to lead the school forward with an expanded vision for language, cultural and academic curricula to a growing and diverse population.

Under the direction of and reporting to the KKCS Board of Directors, with a close working relationship with the Board’s Executive Committee, the School Principal will oversee a program that serves approximately 400 students per year from kindergarten to 8th Grade, and an $800,000 annual budget. The School Principal will also supervise four to five full-time administrative staff and approximately 20 to 25 part-time teachers and other staff.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The core role and key responsibilities of the School Principal are to provide: Leadership, Community Relations and Fundraising, and Strategic Planning for the organization. He/She will also perform related work as required or complete special projects as assigned from time to time by the Board of Directors. Essential functions of the position include, but is not limited to:

● Be the educational leader, supervisor and evaluator of the school’s programs and curriculum to include setting academic standards and working in partnership with the Programs & Curriculum Advisory Committee.

● Administer, delegate, and/or provide oversight for the operations of the school, including ensuring full compliance with EEC guidelines, developing rules and procedures; setting tuition and activity scheduling; and managing student/teacher/parent relationships.

● Lead in enrollment and tuition growth efforts to take advantage of the current high demand for after school child care services and the enthusiastic trend in learning Mandarin; develop new programs to grow enrollment.

● Be familiar with financial operations and budget preparation; provide oversight for support staff in daily record keeping and collaborate with the Treasurer of the Board.

● Seek, initiate and realize revenue-generating opportunities to maximize space usage of the school and meet our community’s needs.

● Be the public advocate for the school by developing, nurturing, and maintaining collaborations and partnerships among cultural and educational leaders in Boston Chinatown, the City of Boston, and Greater Boston; attending community functions on behalf of KKCS.

● Work with the Board, Executive Committee and various standing committees in an ex officio capacity.

● Lead the KKCS fundraising effort , supported by the Board and a fundraising consultant to sustain and grow the school based on a sound financial foundation.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE / MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

● An educator withten or more years of professional experience is preferred in an education-related organization, such as a language school or children and youth oriented educational or cultural organization. Less than 10 years professional experience, in combination with education and other essential professional and interpersonal skills experience may be considered.

● A Bachelor’s or equivalent degree from an accredited institution of higher learning in the U.S. or abroad in the field of early childhood education to 8th grade learning required; administrative experience in bi-lingual education preferred. An advanced degree in a relevant or related field is a major plus.

● Familiarity with EEC licensure requirements by the Commonwealth’s Department of Early Education and Care as Site Coordinator or Program Administrator preferred; incumbent required to obtain designation within six (6) months of hire.

● Familiarity with current pedagogic approaches in kindergarten through 8th grade teaching.

● Bilingual in English and Mandarin Chinese required; fluency in Cantonese Chinese is an added plus.

● Prior U.S. public school or charter school experience as a teacher, paraprofessional and/or administrator a plus.

● Leadership ability to inspire public trust and confidence; to motivate students and to lead staff training in current best practices in pedagogy.

● Entrepreneurial spirit to network and develop revenue-generating opportunities to help ensure the school’s financial viability.

● Demonstrated affinity for children and youth, for heritage language teaching and culture retention, and an appreciation of their utility for Chinese and non-Chinese learners.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

The successful candidate will:

● Demonstrate personal credibility and the ability to earn the respect and trust of the Board, staff, parents, students, and the community at large; be an empathetic listener with a sense of humility.

● Inspire, support, develop, and motivate the staff and teachers of the school.

● Exhibit a genuine passion for the mission , values, and philosophy of KKCS.

● Communicate a clear and compelling vision to students, parents, teachers, staff, donors, and Boston’s Chinatown community.

● Be a self-starter who is solution and detail oriented and highly organized with the ability to manage multiple simultaneously.

● Possess a strong work ethic , creativity, enthusiasm and flexibility.

● Has excellent communications skills in Mandarin and English (and Cantonese)

● Uphold and advance the school’s high standards and be an individual of unquestioned integrity .

Candidates presenting with a combination of professional experience, training and interpersonal skills will be considered. This is a salaried, full-time, year-round position, of approximately forty (40) hours per week. The academic year schedule for the School Principal will be: Monday-Friday, 2pm-7pm, and Saturday and/or Sunday, five (5) hours per weekend day, and additional hours as required. There will be some flexibility with alternating between weekdays and weekends during the academic year as determined by the Board in the best interests of the school and its students. The summer schedule will be Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm in July and August. The School Principal is expected to devote his or her full professional energy to this highly demanding but personally rewarding position.

To apply:

Interested applicants should send a cover letter, curriculum vitae, three references, and any relevant information (such as published articles), to the KKCS Search Committee at: [email protected]. Questions about this position may also be directed to this email.

Background and Reference Checks will be conducted.

Criminal Background Check Required

The Kwong Kow Chinese School (KKCS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. KKCS is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state, or local law.

Competitive salary commensurate with skills and experience.

This School Principalposition will remain open until filled.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $65,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• relevant administration /leadership role: 10 years (Preferred)

Language:

• Mandarin and/or Cantonese (Required)

Work Location: In person