Assistant Principal

Nexus Family Healing is a national nonprofit network of mental health agencies with over 45 years of restoring hope for thousands of children and families through outpatient/community mental health services, foster care and adoption, and residential treatment. Grand Prairie School (GPS) is a private school serving youth receiving treatment at Nexus-Onarga in Onarga, IL. GPS serves grades 5-12 with a special education curriculum accredited by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement and approved by the Illinois State Board of Education. Credits transfer to any school upon the client's discharge.

About the role

Assist the Principal in managing the education program and staff to achieve and maintain a high-quality, therapeutic learning and treatment environment. Teachers enjoy small class sizes, full-time Teaching Assistants in every classroom, and support from Behavior Staff throughout the school day. Join a team that values collaboration, care, and student success.

Responsibilities

• Develop & Maintain the Academic Program
  • Collaborate with the School Principal to ensure the development and implementation of a current, outcomes-based, content and quality-oriented school curriculum with a process for continual improvement.
  • Ensure all local and state accreditation requirements are maintained within established guidelines.
  • Assist with monitoring the Individual Educational Plans (IEPs) process and serve as the administrative representative at IEP meetings in the Principal’s absence.
  • Communicate with residents' home school districts regarding the client’s placement and related issues.
• Teaching Assistant & Behavioral Specialist Leadership & Oversight
  • Participate in the interview and selection process for faculty and education staff, including conducting thorough reference checks for direct reports (teaching assistants, behavior specialists, etc.).
  • Provide leadership and direction to all teaching assistants and behavior specialists; lead, coach, and develop employees while setting clearly defined performance expectations and providing meaningful feedback.
  • Build strong teams through effective leadership and team-building components, including communicating a clear mission, outlining common goals, and promoting shared accountability.
  • Actively monitor and evaluate staff performance and behavior management of students in the classroom setting.
  • Provide ongoing performance management for assigned staff and conduct formal performance evaluations that are timely, constructive, and effective; collaborate with the Human Resources Department regarding evaluations and disciplinary needs.
  • Conduct and facilitate faculty meetings in the Principal’s absence.
• Academic Programming Support
  • Maintain the tracking system for school documentation requirements and deadlines (e.g., point sheets, incident reports, progress reports); ensure data and information are accurate and up to date.
  • Schedule IEP meetings with all appropriate external and internal parties and participate as required; engage in additional school meetings as needed, including quarterly staffing meetings.
  • Develop and maintain trust, rapport, and credibility with students, parents, guardians, home school districts, and social service agencies to support youth development.
  • Oversee the scheduling of outings, field trips, and monthly incentives; review the educational relevancy of outings with the Principal prior to approval.
  • Assist in developing the school schedule and maintain a master schedule of all class times, meetings, and events to minimize time conflicts (e.g., IEP meetings, case conferences, retreats, assemblies, field trips).
  • Serve as a backup to the Principal in their absence; provide ongoing assistance in the assessment and development of school curriculum.
  • Ensure appropriate staffing of all classrooms and provide backup support where required to meet school standards.
• Therapeutic Treatment & Learning Environment
  • Participate in quarterly meetings with Quality Improvement staff to assess data and outcomes.
  • Ensure compliance with established safety and health codes and procedures for both faculty and students; identify safety and risk management issues and recommend solutions.
  • Ensure appropriate boundaries are maintained in all staff/student interactions and that physical interventions are conducted appropriately and within training parameters.
  • Demonstrate acceptance and respect for diversity concerning gender, race, age, culture, ethnicity, class, religion, sexual preference, disability, and gender identity.
• Educational Policy, Procedure & Compliance
  • Serve as an educational liaison with internal academy departments and external agencies and contacts.
  • Provide crisis intervention and apply de-escalation techniques when appropriate while maintaining appropriate boundaries and relationships with students.
  • Remain current on the latest accepted teaching techniques and tailor teacher feedback to meet the needs of emotionally and behaviorally challenged students.
  • Attend and participate in staff meetings and training sessions as required; attend relevant conferences for continued education.
  • Understand and support the Nexus philosophy and treatment modalities.
  • Ensure confidentiality regarding students in compliance with all licensing agencies, company policy, COA, and HIPAA guidelines.
  • Remain current on all company policies, assigned trainings, and certification requirements; exhibit ethical conduct, discretion, and confidentiality while exemplifying professional behavior.
  • Exhibit clear, professional, respectful, and effective communication when interfacing with residents, staff, families, and external contacts; share knowledge, information, and resources appropriately.
  • Assist with off-campus activities when needed and perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in education along with Type 75 licensure required; minimum of 5 years teaching experience.
• Master’s degree strongly preferred.
• 1+ year supervisory experience preferred.
• First Aid/CPR/Infection Control/Bloodborne Pathogen/TCI certification required.
• Valid driver’s license required; must meet state regulating agency and Home Office driving requirements.
• Must successfully pass an IL DCFS criminal background check.

Skills

• Innovation: Leading the way and implementing creative, cutting-edge ideas and approaches.
• Compassion: Listening, honoring differences, and showing respect, kindness, empathy, care, and concern.
• Agility: Exhibiting flexibility and adapting quickly.
• Responsiveness: Being quick, positive, and accurate.
• Excellence: Demonstrating quality results that surpass ordinary standards.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off (PTO) provided throughout the school year.
• Multiple options for health insurance coverage.
• No-cost life insurance.
• Short/long-term disability insurance.
• 401k match.
• Talkspace Therapy Benefit for the whole family (NEW).
• Hinge Health Benefit for the whole family (NEW).
• Carrot Fertility Benefit (NEW).
• Tuition assistance and training opportunities.
• Advancement pathways and internal promotion opportunities.
• And much more!

Pay

$80,000 - $90,000 annually based on credentials and years of teaching experience.

Schedule

Full-time. GPS follows a year-round academic calendar, including scheduled break weeks and holidays off.