Henry Ford Academy is seeking its next leader. This educator will be both superintendent and principal of the 500-student public high school academy in Dearborn, Michigan.
In 1997 the doors of Henry Ford Academy opened. Twenty-eight years ago, from the spark of an idea and a partnership between The Henry Ford, Wayne Regional Educational Service Agency (Wayne RESA) and Ford Motor Company, one of the most unique high schools was born. Students explore over 250 acres devoted to American history, innovation and the people who brought those moments to life. The school's mission is "to develop critical thinkers, lifelong learners and responsible citizens prepared to adapt and evolve in a changing world." To accomplish this, each day, students experience and learn from historical artifacts, exhibits and programs found nowhere else in the world. From custom-designed courses to "just being here," every day is a field trip.
The confidential search for this new leader begins with your application. The ideal candidate will have a love of learning and deep commitment to the needs of students, teachers, and community. This educator will be innovative, balanced, and approachable. Highly skilled in modern classroom learning, the right person will bring a deep knowledge of curriculum to the classroom environment. This empathetic and visionary educator will learn and grow with the community — and lead the Henry Ford Academy into its next journey.
The Principal/Superintendent provides leadership that inspires staff, students, and community to be their best and achieve their highest level of academic performance. This position is responsible for developing and maintaining a shared vision for the school, the high school's overall operation including instructional leadership, staffing, curriculum planning, budget management, review and implementation of professional development and student improvement programs and outcomes.
Essential Responsibilities:
• Responsible for oversight of all school instructional policies, including all reporting of student academic progress to governing bodies, recommends and manages the school budget and activities accounts.
• Deeply immersed in the latest research and emerging trends in the 9-12 learning environment.
• Implements and directs best practices of curriculum design, instructional programming, learning outcomes and associated materials in accordance with state and federal guidelines.
• Responsible for oversight of school improvement plan, methodology and execution of plans regarding student assessment.
• Uses student performance and school safety data to drive decision-making that fosters continuous improvement ensuring equitable access for all students.
• Responsible for the completion of reports required by Wayne RESA, the State of Michigan, and any other governing bodies.
• Evaluates certified secondary staff, ensuring that the proper elements of instruction are implemented; coordinates the teacher supervision and evaluation processes with the assistant principals.
• Organizes and manages staff and program improvement processes, as well as teacher Professional Development Plans.
• Implements and monitors building site-based decision-making processes.
• Develops the master schedule based upon student registration.
• Oversees the building technology plan.
• Manages field trips, out-of-state trips, and related transportation requests.
• Manages school safety and security processes including crisis management procedures.
• Plans, conducts, and attends meetings with teachers, other District staff and the community.
• Ensures excellent public relations, including the parent newsletter, school websites, the school paper, and the yearbook.
• Manages all advisory groups, including teacher, staff, parent, and student groups.
• Maintains positive relations with stakeholders (Ford, Board, THF, etc.)
• Plans and implements recognition events such as academic award banquet, recognition assembly and graduation ceremony.
Your Qualifications:
• Master’s degree focusing on school administration, educational leadership, or related field.
• Current valid Michigan certificate.
• Five Years’ successful classroom teaching experience and leading student achievement outcomes.
• Experience working with contemporary research-based evaluation models.
• Experience developing a school budget and creating and leading in a data driven environment.
• Deep commitment to building relationships and leading a collaborative team.
• Highest level of ethics.
• Strong writing and presentation skills.
Special Skills:
• Leadership that provides purpose and direction for groups and individuals, facilitating the development of a shared vision for the school, and formulating goals and planning changes with the staff by setting priorities in terms of the community, the district, staff, and students.
• Knowledge of school laws, policies, and best practices in Michigan high school.
• Judgment, including the ability to formulate logical conclusions from quality and timely decisions, adaptability, and the ability to prioritize.
• Organizational oversight, including scheduling to use resources appropriately to meet goals, and deadlines.
• Ability to put programs into action, facilitating collaboration, checkpoints, and monitoring progress, providing corrections when required, and supporting those who are responsible.
• Ability to delegate authority.
• Ability to accommodate cognition and achievement differences.
• Ability to be present at district buildings and regional and state meetings and workshops as necessary.
This job description is subject to change at any time.
It is the policy of The Henry Ford and Henry Ford Academy to prohibit discrimination in any employment, donor or volunteering opportunity (including but not limited to recruitment, hire, employment, program participation, promotion, salary, benefits, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment or service as a volunteer) based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, genetic information, pregnancy, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, physical/mental disability. Marital/domestic partner status, military and veteran status, height, weight or any other such characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. This Policy applies to all of our employees, donors and volunteers to ensure that they are treated without discrimination.