Middle School Principal
International School of Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)

The International School of Kuala Lumpur

Middle School Principal

INTRODUCTION
The International School of Kuala Lumpur is a non­profit, parent­governed international school located in Malaysia’s capital city, Kuala Lumpur. Founded in 1965, ISKL has an enrolment of approximately 1600 students, representing 62 different nationalities. ISKL offers a comprehensive educational program that includes 3­year old classes through Grade 12. ISKL is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The School’s present accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) expires in 2017 and the Board of ISKL has approved funding of joint accreditation by the Council of International Schools and WASC. Much of the preparatory work in evaluating ISKL’s readiness for this new accreditation will be undertaken within the community during 2016 ­ 2017.

ISKL enjoys a very strong international reputation as a premier international school with high academic standards, a dynamic commitment to professional development, a thoughtful and innovative approach to instruction and a warm and supportive school community.

ISKL’s Middle School is comprised of 417 students and 52 faculty and staff members.

MISSION STATEMENT
The International School of Kuala Lumpur provides an exceptional education that challenges each student to develop the attitudes, skills, knowledge and understanding to become a highly successful, spirited, socially responsible global citizen.

THE IDEAL MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
The ideal candidate is a knowledgeable and experienced Middle School leader and educator. He/she recognizes that the years of early adolescence are pivotal and abound with individual potential and opportunity. An ISKL Middle School leader commits to building, enhancing and leading highly collaborative teams of middle school teachers who will will care deeply for these students, listen to their voices, respect their concerns, and engage them in meaningful educational experiences that will prepare them for a promising future. (Adopted from “This I Believe”­ Association For Middle Level Education)

The job description below is adapted from James Stronge’s Standards for Principals.

LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS
Instructional Leadership
The principal effectively leads the development, alignment, and execution of a plan of action for monitoring the curriculum and implementing instructional and assessment strategies that enhance learning and teaching.

1. Ensures that the focus is on student development and achievement in the area of responsibility and contributes to school­wide growth.
2. Facilitates collaborative decision­making to analyze current achievement data (e.g., ISA, MAP, and common assessment) and instructional strategies to improve classroom instruction and increase student achievement.
3. Is knowledgeable about and promotes research­based instructional best practices in the classroom.
4. Connects initiatives and innovative strategies to maximize the achievement of each learner.
5. Ensures teachers use technology and other available resources for the successful implementation of effective instructional strategies.
6. Monitors and evaluates the use of diagnostic, formative, and summative assessment to guide instructional practices and provide timely and accurate feedback to students and parents.
7. Provides collaborative leadership for the design and implementation of effective and efficient schedules that protect and maximize instructional time.
8. Supports professional development and instructional practices that incorporate the use of achievement data and results in increased student progress.
9. Participates in professional development alongside teachers.
10. Demonstrates and/or supports the importance of professional development by providing adequate time and resources for teachers and staff to participate in professional learning (e.g., peer observation, mentoring, coaching, study groups, learning teams).
11. Facilitates the evaluation of the impact of professional development on instructional practice.
12. Leads the implementation of Standard­Based Assessment and Reporting.

School Climate
The principal develops and nurtures an internationally minded, balanced, academically rigorous, positive, safe Middle School climate.

1. Incorporates knowledge of the school community to cultivate a positive, engaging, and balanced learning environment.
2. Models and collaboratively promotes clear and appropriately rigorous expectations, mutual respect, concern, and empathy for students, teachers, staff, parents, and school community.
3. Utilizes shared decision­making and collaboration, as applicable, to build relationships with students, teachers, staff, families, and the school community.
4. Models and encourages creativity and innovation by students, teachers, staff, and school community to promote growth and change.
5. Works with all students, teachers, and the school community in a way that empowers students to take responsibility for their own growth and development.
6. Implements and monitors a safety plan that manages situations in a proactive, effective, and timely manner.
7. Involves students, teachers, staff, and the school community to create and sustain a positive, safe, and healthy learning environment.
8. Implements and communicates best practices in school­wide behavior management that are effective within the school community.
9. Listens and responds to the concerns of students, teachers, staff, families, and community members in a visible and approachable manner.
10. Respects and promotes the concept of the “whole child” and the appreciation of international­mindedness and diversity

Human Resources Leadership
The principal selects, orients, assigns, develops, evaluates, and retains quality instructional and support personnel

1. Participates in the selection of highly effective teachers in an equitable and professional manner as per school and legal requirements.
2. Supports building­level and school­wide orientation and mentoring processes to assist all new personnel.
3. Implements teacher and staff evaluation systems in accordance with policy, procedure, and legal requirements to ensure teacher and staff effectiveness.
4. Documents proficiencies and areas of growth through qualitative and quantitative data sources, provides timely formal and informal feedback on strengths and areas for improvement, provides support and resources for teachers and staff to improve job performance, and clearly documents and communicates performance­related concerns that may result in future employment decisions. 
5.   Makes appropriate recommendations relative to personnel assignment, retention, promotion, and dismissal consistent with established policies and procedures.
6. Recognizes teacher and staff contributions, provides them with professional development opportunities, and encourages leadership responsibilities

Organizational Management
The principal supports, manages, and oversees the organization, operation, and use of resources for his/her area of responsibility.

1. Demonstrates and communicates a working knowledge and understanding of, and compliance with, school policies and procedures.
2. Ensures that rules and procedures are in place and enforced to provide a safe, secure, efficient, and orderly learning environment.
3. Monitors and provides supervision of all instructional and activity programs.
4. Identifies and plans for organizational, operational, and resource­related issues and resolves them in a timely, consistent, and effective manner.
5. Secures, monitors, and allocates financial, technological, and other resources under his/her control to maximize improvement aligned to the school’s mission and goals.
6. Involves teachers, staff and stakeholders in various planning processes, shares in management decisions, and delegates duties as applicable.
7. Uses data to evaluate and improve organizational effectiveness.
8. Ensures systems and structures are in place and used to support efficiency, consistency, and clarity in his/her area of responsibility

Communication and Community Relations
The principal effectively communicates and collaborates, engaging stakeholders to promote understanding, support, and continuous improvement of the school’s programs and services aligned with the school’s mission/vision

1. Solicits student and teachers, staff input to promote effective decision­making and communication when appropriate.
2. Disseminates information in a timely manner to students and teachers, staff through multiple sources.
3. Maintains visibility and accessibility to students and teachers.
4. Speaks and writes to students and teachers in a clear, effective, and appropriate manner.
5. Collaborates with colleagues in the best interest of the overall school.
6. Advocates for students and acts to influence school decisions affecting student learning.
7. Communicates long­ and short­term goals and the school improvement plan to staff within their area of responsibility.
8. Ensures the communication of applicable information with the head of school in a timely manner and maintains confidentiality.
   
   With families and community…
9. Solicits input to promote effective decision­making and communication when appropriate.
10. Disseminates information in a timely manner through multiple sources.
11. Involves stakeholders in a collaborative effort to establish positive relationships.
12. Maintains visibility and accessibility.
13. Speaks and writes in a clear, effective, and appropriate manner.
14. Promotes effective school­family partnerships

Professionalism
The principal demonstrates behavior consistent with legal, ethical, and professional standards, engages in continuous professional development, and contributes to the profession.

1.  Works within legal, ethical, and professional guidelines to improve student learning and to meet the school’s requirements.
2. Adheres to and models the school’s core values.
3. Models professional behavior daily, both in and out of school.
4. Is sensitive and culturally responsive.
5. Contributes to, enhances, and supports the development of the profession through service to the educational community (e.g., accreditation teams, interschool committees, instructor, mentor, coach, presenter, researcher).
6. Participates in professional growth opportunities and applies knowledge and skills to positively improve school effectiveness

Student Progress
The principal’s leadership results in student progress consistent with the school’s mission and school­wide goals.

1. Gathers and analyzes data from multiple sources to use in making decisions related to student academic growth and school improvement.
2. Collaboratively develops, implements, and monitors a research­based school improvement plan that results in reducing achievement gaps and improving student academic growth and whole­child development.
3. Collaboratively develops student achievement goals and ensures they are aligned with school­wide goals for increased student academic achievement and whole­child development.
4. Collaborates with teachers and staff to monitor student progress through the analysis of multiple measures of data, applying research­based educational strategies to meet student learning needs.
5. Assumes responsibility for and emphasizes the accomplishment of student learning goals on an on­going basis (e.g., faculty meetings, team/department meetings, professional development activities, student­parent conferences, positive interactions).
6. Provides evidence that students are meeting appropriate and measurable achievement goals.
7. Communicates assessment results to appropriate stakeholders

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• An advanced degree in educational leadership
• Experience as a Principal or Assistant Principal

COMPENSATION PACKAGE
The initial contract will be two years with an option to extend beyond the initial contract. The contract is renewable at the discretion of the Head of School. Salary and benefits for this post are competitive and will be commensurate with the responsibilities of this prestigious position.
 
APPLICATION PROCESS
Candidates should submit one pdf file that includes a letter of application, a CV/resume including the names and addresses of three recent professional references (email addresses, business and home phone numbers included), and three reference letters. If the applicant is registered with CIS, Search, or ISS and has confidential references on file, please indicate that within the letter of application.

The deadline for the receipt of applications is August 22, 2016. Interviews will be held on site in late September 2016.

Applications should be emailed to:

Middle School Principal Search

  c/o Head of School

The International School of Kuala Lumpur

Email: hr@iskl.edu.my