Executive Director

Position Available:
School Executive Director – Grades K-8, Public Charter School

Address:
1031 Como Ave., St. Paul, MN 55103
651-492-7106
https://www.tcgis.org/

Communities Served: Greater Twin Cities Area

Qualifications:
Experience as a school director or executive administrative experience preferred.

Strong commitment to and experience in:

• immersion education
• bilingualism
• curriculum
• charter schools
• world citizenship
• student achievement
• personalized learning
• innovation
• financial management
• student recruitment and retention
• community engagement
• staff professional development
• fostering external partnerships
• professionally fluent in German
• knowledge of German culture
• racial equity, gender equity, economic equity
  * building a culture of belonging and respect for diverse perspectives and experiences
• collaboration and relationship building
• accountability
• fundraising
• transparent communication
• critical thinking skills
• strategic planning

Salary Offered:
Regionally Competitive for Charter Schools

Consultants Assisting the Board
Dr. Kenneth Dragseth (952-210-2790), Dr. Antoinette Johns (612-309-1511)

Mission, Vision and Strategic Goals
The school’s mission is “Innovative Education of the Whole Child through German Immersion” in a learning environment that values Curiosity, Kindness, Challenge and Support, Community, and Intercultural Engagement. The school’s vision is “Andere hören, andere sehen, weltoffen denken und handeln”, educating multilingual world citizens who listen to others, see others, and think and act with an open mind.

TCGIS’s “Vision 2025 Strategic Plan” has four areas of focus: innovative teaching & learning, school culture & engagement, diversity & belonging, and financial sustainability.

Innovative teaching & learning:
By 2025, the school will have fully documented its curriculum and assessments, with a clear picture of what students are learning, when they learn it, and how they demonstrate they know it. Planning, organization and study skills are interwoven and part of the curriculum starting in K and culminating in 8th grade to prepare students for success in life. German is heard throughout the school, in hallways, meetings, and the classroom. An inclusion thread runs throughout the curriculum and will include specific elements on antiracism, social justice, global citizenship, peace, and will reflect the cultural and racial diversity of the Twin Cities. ADSIS and SPED is ideally delivered in German for subjects taught in German, and English for support needed specifically in English.

School Culture & Engagement:
By 2025, the TCGIS culture will be a joyful, student-centered environment of belonging that attracts and retains families and staff. People of all backgrounds and those from other states or abroad, will feel integrated and engaged.

Diversity & Belonging:
By 2025, the diversity of TCGIS students and staff will be closer to reflecting the racial and socioeconomic diversity of the Twin Cities. Diversity at TCGIS will also be expanded in other ways, such as neuro-diversity, learning needs, and family makeup. Diversity will be celebrated in our school for the vibrancy it creates. Diversity will be woven into the TCGIS curriculum and throughout all school functions and actions.

Financial Sustainability:
By 2025, TCGIS will have a culture of advocacy to increase government funding for public charter schools and demonstrate servant leadership to champion equality in publicly funded schools. TCGIS finances will be supplemented by strategic initiatives to create sustainable revenue streams.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Vision 2025 Strategic plan: Das Kind im Mittelpunkt (Focus on the Child)
• Newly expanded, state-of-the-art facility
• Provides an innovative education, delivered in German, that meets all
  Minnesota State standards
• In 2014 TCGIS received the highest MCA (Minnesota Comprehensive
  Assessments) test scores in Minnesota.
• TCGIS consistently outperforms the MCA statewide average by quite a bit,
  especially in science, where since 2015 as much as 48% (Science 2018)
  more students have shown proficiency than the state average.
• The DSD1 (Deutsches Sprachdiplom) is taken in 8th grade. In this rigorous
  exam, students consistently score in the 80-85% range.
• Learning standards in all subject areas
• 8^th Grade Capstone international student exchange with partner schools in
  Germany
• Integrated thematic units and cross-curricular themes
• Project based experiences and hands-on learning
• State and national testing with individualized assessment for each child
• Focus on emotional intelligence
• Curriculum is continuous student progress based on the belief that the
  benefits or immersion education are cumulative and require long term
  commitment
• Instruction in seven areas: German language Arts, Mathematics, Social
  Studies, Science, Health/Physical Education, Visual Arts, and Music
• Spanish offered as an elective in Middle School
• Commitment to differentiated instruction for all
• ADSIS and Special education services provided
• Highly trained, caring and competent staff
• Strong parent support and organization
• Connections with other immersion schools
• Commitment to equity, diversity and belonging

Whole Child education at TCGIS

Fast Facts:

• Founded in 2005 with kindergarten and grade 1, fully expanded to K-8 in
  2012-13, full growth to 3 sections in K-8 in 2022-23
• The school serves approximately 585 students in grades K-8
• TCGIS is the largest German immersion school in North America and the
  only German immersion school in Minnesota
• Public charter school, no fees or tuition, admission via lottery
• 45 teachers and 13 educational support personnel, total staff of 90
• 80% of teaching and/or full-time staff are fluent in German
• International intern program with European university students working as
  classroom assistants and living with host families
• Teacher –student ratio of 24 to 1, and with interns supporting teachers in
  many classrooms, the actual ratio is lower
• After school activities include sports, music, drama, chess, woodworking
  and art
• Nutritional hot lunches provided by Lancer Catering
• Strong and active PTO supports fundraising for classroom enrichment and
  teacher appreciation
• School volunteer opportunities in individual classrooms and school
  initiatives provides many opportunities for parents to be engaged with the
  school
• TCGIS offers school bus service. Hub pickup sites are available throughout
  the Twin Cities

Budget:
The 2020-21 Annual Budget is approximately $7.2 million. Fund balance of approximately 36%.

District Website:
https://www.tcgis.org/

Search Calendar:
Screening begins on January 27
Selected candidates taken to the Board on April 13
First Round Interviews on April 14, 15, 16
Final interviews on April 19, 20, 21
Position begins on July 1, 2021

APPLICATION PROCESS:
Apply through School Exec Connect website http://www.schoolexecconnect.com/ if you are interested in the position. Candidates will need to upload the completed and signed application plus any certification, a current resume, college transcripts and at least four letters of reference.