Organization: Silverleaf Academy Ltd, Tanzania
Location: Silverleaf Academy Usa River Campus, Tanzania
Position: Principal
Contract Type: Full Time
Contract Duration: 2 years
Line Manager: School Manager
Direct reports: Head of school sections (upper, middle, lower, ECE)
Organization
Silverleaf Academy is a chain of affordable private pre-primary and primary schools in Tanzania that educates children aged 2-14 years. Our mission is to provide low-income families in Tanzania with high-quality training at affordable rates. Using the Tanzanian national curriculum, Silverleaf schools use an inclusive curriculum, supported by technology, and use an innovative team teaching approach and on-the-job training program. Our schools are specifically designed to build students’ academic and wider life, leadership and learning skills. It is our promise to our students and their parents that Silverleaf students will not leave school without a thorough mastery of basic literacy, reading, and math skills, while also being prepared for a world where critical thinking, teamwork, and entrepreneurship are essential. Silverleaf currently has one fully operational campus in Usa River serving approximately 400 students in pre-K through 7th grade. By January 2025, the goal is to grow the Usa River campus to more than 1,000 students in kindergarten through 7th grade.
Role
The Principal is responsible for facilitating the school’s academic programs and ensuring high quality teaching and learning outcomes. Reporting to the School Manager, the Principal oversees the day-to-day management of teachers, implements the curriculum, and ensures that students achieve academic goals. They play an important role in fostering a positive learning environment, supporting teacher development, and ensuring alignment with the school’s educational goals. The Head Teacher will be responsible for fostering a culture of continuous improvement, providing clear guidance, and maintaining high standards in all academic and collaborative areas.
Key Duties and Activities
School Culture and Team Development
This role is responsible for building a thriving professional culture for team members of all grades. This role is also responsible for collaborating with the School Manager to ensure that all team members are nurtured and developed in the Silverleaf style.
- Implement an annual and measurable plan to ensure that team members understand, develop, and adhere to Silverleaf’s values.
- Conduct performance evaluations for teachers, providing feedback on strengths and areas for development.
- In collaboration with the School Manager and Talent Academy Senior Manager, implement the annual professional development vision for the school, the annual development calendar, weekly training and peer development experiences, and ensure a robust evaluation system performance.
- To promote a good and cooperative environment between teachers and staff.
- To implement and lead cultural activities and traditions.
- Enable a culture of self-awareness where team members value personal and professional development and are invested in feedback and growth.
- Lead the team in bi-weekly data meetings and create effective action plans.
- Ensure teachers are trained and implement effective lesson plans that support clear instruction and differentiation in learning processes.
- Organize weekly feedback meetings and post-survey conferences.
- The Student Experience: Academic Performance, Student Development, Behavior and Curriculum
- This role is responsible for ensuring that students in all grades have a thriving and holistic student experience.
- Implementation of the annual student experience vision and school plan.
- Implement an annual and measurable plan to ensure that students are developed academically, socially and emotionally and in their co-curricular experiences.
- Collaborate with the School Manager to ensure classrooms are adequately resourced and appropriate for focused learning.
- Collaborate with the School Manager and School Director to set goals for all academic tests based on grade level and student.
- Conduct cultural, academic and technical field trips and observations every day for two weeks.
- Conduct weekly academic data meetings to ensure academic goals are met.
Implement targeted intervention programs for struggling students. - Ensuring that project-based learning, technology-based education and English proficiency are implemented in all classrooms to ensure that classrooms meet and exceed Silverleaf’s promise.
- Conduct academic meetings with students on performance.
- Facilitate health and wellness programs for physical and mental well-being.
- Attend bi-weekly Student Leaders meeting to ensure student voice
3. School Sustainability and Operations: Enrollment, Operational Efficiencies and Finance
This role is responsible for supporting systems, structures, policies, practices, and procedures that are being adhered to to ensure operational efficiencies and the school’s short and long-term financial sustainability.
Partnering with the School Manager in ensuring retention rates are maintained at 98% by ensuring academic excellence and parent satisfaction.
Partnering with the School Manager in creating the student retention strategy for the school and implementing it with fidelity.
Work with heads of sections to ensure smooth day-to-day academic operations, including scheduling of teaching timetables, assessment schedules, and teaching & learning resources management.
Ensure compliance with all health and safety protocols and child protection policies
Ensure academic programs and resource needs align with the school’s budget, providing input on academic resource allocation.
Ensure that classrooms are well-resourced and conducive to learning, in collaboration with the School Manager and Operations team.
Community Engagement: Parents, Community Members, Partner Organizations and Stakeholders
Support School Manager to build and maintain relationships with NGOs, local businesses, community organizations, and government bodies to create mutually beneficial partnerships.
Partner with the School manager to implement regular feedback mechanisms for all stakeholders, including parents, community members, and partners.
Support School manager to organize parents workshops, one every quarter to educate parents on topics like child development, supporting learning at home, and navigating the school’s educational tools such as Class Dojo or parent portals such as power school.
Partnering with the Director of Schools and School Manager to establish parent advisory committees to involve parents in decision-making processes and provide feedback on school initiatives, policies, and programs.
Organize regular parent-teacher conferences to discuss student progress, set goals, and provide academic and behavioral updates. Ensure communication channels with parents are clear and consistent.
Education and Experience Requirements
- Education: Must have a teaching degree from a recognized Institution by the government of Tanzania.
- Training: Specialized training or certification in educational leadership, curriculum development, or school management is an advantage.
- Teaching Experience: Minimum of 5 years of teaching experience, with a proven track record of success in improving student academic outcomes.
- Leadership Experience: At least 2-3 years of experience in a leadership or supervisory role within a school setting (e.g., Head of Department, Deputy Head, or similar).
- Academic and Staff Oversight: Experience in curriculum development, teacher training, and performance management.
- Students and Technology: Strong familiarity with student assessment, data-driven decision-making, and the use of technology in education.
- Community Engagement: Demonstrated experience in engaging with parents, the community, and fostering a positive school culture.
Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English and Kiswahili.
Send your CV and Cover letter to jobs@silverleaf.co.tz by 5th November 2024
