Scion Executive Search has been retained to conduct a search for the incoming Principal of the Knapp School & Yeshiva on behalf of our incredible client, JCFS Chicago; an impactful organization offering services to help, heal, and strengthen children, adults, and families in Chicago and beyond. The work of JCFS Chicago and the Knapp School & Yeshiva have provided services strengthening the Chicagoland community for over one hundred years with services that are infused with Jewish values sand compassion. Existing within JCFS Chicago, the Knapp School & Yeshiva provides engaging curricula and supportive services for students with a variety of emotional or behavioral challenges in a safe and supportive learning environment geared toward individuals who have not succeeded in other educational environments. The Knapp School & Yeshiva is located in West Rogers Park and is accredited by AdvancEd and approved by the Illinois State Board of Education.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Continuously striving to fulfill their meaningful mission, JCFS Chicago and the Knapp School & Yeshiva are seeking an innovative, results-oriented school leader with a deep sense of responsibility and commitment to the social-emotional and educational needs of every student. The Principal is a key lever for change and is critical to the success of the school. They will be instrumental in developing strategies to support the social, emotional, and academic growth of students with a diverse range of needs, promoting an inclusive and supportive school culture.

Reporting directly to the Chief Program Officer of JCFS Chicago, the Principal will manage a dedicated team of educators, administrators, clinicians, and specialists, ensuring their collaboration and adherence to high standards of teaching and support. As a leader, the Principal plays a crucial role in fostering a positive and inclusive school culture that embraces the unique strengths and challenges of each student at Knapp.

ABOUT JCFS CHICAGO AND THE KNAPP SCHOOL & YESHIVA:

JCFS Chicago strives to enhance social-emotional well-being for adults, children, teens, and families as well as maximize potential for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. JCFS operates a therapeutic day school in the West Rogers Park Community of Chicago. The Knapp School & Yeshiva is licensed for 120 students annually in grades K-12+ with special needs who have struggled to succeed in other educational environments. Driven by nurturing relationships and strengths-based support, the Knapp School provides a holistic educational experience to K-12+ learners with diverse social/emotional and academic needs. The school also includes a Yeshiva program to meet the needs of Jewish children who have struggled to succeed in local Jewish day schools and would benefit from a therapeutic education milieu with support for Jewish studies. Knapp School and Yeshiva serve students who primarily have an educational diagnosis of Emotional Behavioral Disorder who often have comorbid diagnoses of Learning and/or Developmental Disabilities. Working with Chicago Public Schools as well as with school districts from Suburban Cook County, Lake County, and the Western Suburbs to serve students who are referred based on their need for a highly structured, therapeutic school setting and individualized approach to learning, Knapp School and Yeshiva offers education to students who are referred by a public school district receive education at no cost to their families.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead, nurture, and protect a student-centered culture through a differentiated and comprehensive approach to educating and supporting the whole child.
• Champion staff excellence through continuous improvement to develop and achieve the vision of high expectations for all students.
• Proactively develop school policy and procedures to maintain a safe and welcoming school environment.
• Support staff and school community to operate with a shared mission and vision of high expectations that ensures all students reach their full potential.
• Work with the school staff to utilize a framework for effective teaching and learning including data-driven instruction to improve educational outcomes for all students.
• Foster a team approach between various disciplines in the school.
• Support the integration of social emotional learning into the fabric of the school.
• Model and lead full adoption of and integration of Collaborative Problem Solving, Therapeutic Crisis Intervention, and Ukeru to support our shared philosophy of care.
• Create a collaborative school community where the school staff interact regularly and share ownership for the success of the school.
• Work with the school staff to create a positive context for learning by ensuring equity, fulfilling professional responsibilities with honesty and integrity, and serving as a model for the professional behavior of others.
• Hire and retain high-performing staff and support their ongoing development.
• Include students as active partners in decision making and solution implementation.
• Actively manage the school's finances and budget process.
• Oversee regulatory obligations as outlined in Part 401 Nonpublic Special Education Private Facilities of the Illinois School Code.
• Maintain positive working relationships with cooperating public-school districts.
• Oversee transitional and mainstreaming activities in coordination with cooperating public school districts.
• Take an active role beyond the school to ensure the school is integrated into the larger agency.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in education.
• Minimum 7 years proven, successful experience in a therapeutic day school setting or related space.
• Minimum 3 years' supervisor experience.
• Prior experience as a principal is highly desirable.
• Meets all state requirements including holding licensure in both administration and special education conclusively.
• Must be able to successfully complete Collaborative Problem Solving, Ukeru, and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Training.
• Ability to manage the day-to-day operations of the school while holding a comprehensive and strategic vision.
• Philosophical alignment with and support of an empathetic, trauma informed approach to student behavior and a belief that it is our collective responsibility to provide every student with emotional comfort in the form of calming strategies and environmental alterations.
• Strong pedagogical background, exceptional instructional leadership skills, and passion for creating change.
• Ability to connect with students, parents and guardians, and staff, fostering an environment of kindness, empathy, and respect.
• Honesty and transparency in decision-making as well as clear and consistent communication with all members of the school community.
• High level of follow-through and strong say/do ratio.

What you'll love about us:

• Time off: Paid time off varies by position - can include vacation days, sick days, paid federal holidays, and paid Jewish holidays.
• Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision insurance. 401(k) with base contribution and match. Additional health and wellness benefits, financial benefits, professional training, tuition reimbursement, 6 weeks paid parental leave, and much more.
• Hybrid work environment
• Compensation: the compensation for this position is $140,000.

Please visit us at http://www.jcfs.org

JCFS Chicago provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.