Teach Abroad: Elementary School Principal opening in Russia

AAS Mission Statement
The Anglo-American School of Moscow is an international learning community where students, teachers and parents demand excellence and engagement from one another. Drawing from Russian culture, as well as the unique experiences each brings, students will respect self and others while realizing intellectual growth, building competence and developing a personal voice and a commitment to a secure future for all.

Students
AAS Elementary School enrollment for 2009-10 is 650 students. Students in Pre-K (age 4) through Grade 12 represent 64 countries with a total enrollment 1280. Students from the USA (32%), UK (11%), Russia (11%), Korea (8%), and Canada (4%) represent the largest constituent groups in the school.

Faculty and Staff
AAS employs 135 faculty members inclusive of the 65 teachers in the Elementary School. Teachers are required to be certified, have at least two years of teaching experience and be extremely competent in their fields.

The Program
The Anglo-American School is the only international school in Moscow accredited jointly by the European Council of International Schools and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. The curriculum at AAS is drawn from the best practices in the US, UK and Canada as well as other international schools. AAS offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program and the Primary Years Program.

Facilities
The purpose-built facilities were dedicated in October 2000. AAS is recognized as a world-class educational institution in Moscow attracting diplomats and executives to the city. Nestled between the Moscow Canal and the Pokrovskoye-Glebevo Park off Volokolamskoye Schosse, 20 minutes from the city center, the school stands on six hectares of land adjacent to the Pokrovsky Hills housing community.

Instruction is extended through access to the wireless Internet throughout the School. Facilities include 4 computer laboratories, 8 science laboratories, 5 art rooms, 6 music rooms, a 630 seat theater, 2 black box theaters, two extensive libraries, two large gymnasia, 3 playing fields (one covered with artificial turf) and tennis courts, an aquatics complex with 2 swimming pools, 3 dining rooms (one equipped with a stage), an aerobics/dance studio, 2 exercise rooms and an asphalt play space where an ice rink is set up in the winter.

Community
Moscow is a major European city. Good medical and dental care is available through several clinics. Although traffic can be challenging, Moscow’s mass transportation system is extensive, well planned and efficient. One can stay on top of the news with cable and satellite TV, English-language newspapers and monthly publications. Fresh food and delicacies are available year-round at modern supermarkets or at local markets and small produce stores. Western style shopping malls are common. The city is teeming with fitness centers and sports facilities (swimming, tennis, golf, skiing, and horseback riding). Nightlife choices are abundant and offer something for everyone: rock, jazz, drama, musicals, classical music, ballet, opera, movie theaters, dancing, bars, and restaurants. Culturally rich, Moscow has many museums, galleries and memorial estates, world famous circuses, and the zoo. Volunteers are always needed for scouting, youth leagues or one of the many charity organizations. Life in Moscow is colorful, eventful, and never boring.

The Position
Summary: Under general direction and supervision of the Director, the Elementary Principal is responsible for the administration and coordination of the AAS Elementary School.

Responsibilities/Expectations

• Relates to students with mutual respect and student-centered approach
• Supports teachers and understands the realities of the classroom
• Invites and engages parents in the educational process
• Demonstrates strong instructional leadership that leads to successful curriculum and program planning, implementation, and evaluation
• Models a strong, confident, collaborative leadership style, a team builder with proven leadership ability
• Carries out a positive and effective discipline policy
• Understands and endorses the underlying philosophy of the IB Primary Years Program
• Motivates employee performance and enhances morale
• Administers a balanced budget and operates the Elementary School as an effective Cost Center
• Maintains a commitment to ongoing growth in self and others
• Supervises and participates in the AAS teacher evaluation system
• Demonstrates a positive attitude towards her/his job and remains a flexible and innovative team builder
• Supports the Director in the recruitment and hiring of faculty
• Develops schedules to maximize program objectives
• Leads an elementary admin team consisting of the principal and two assistant principals
• Participates as a team member of the Elementary Student Support Team
• Possesses International experiences in a variety of roles in a large elementary school
• Possesses experience and knowledge of recent research in education, including data-driven decision making, differentiation, ESOL, early childhood education, student support services, curriculum design and mapping
• Familiarity with British, Canadian, and U S curricula
• Strong teaching background

Required Characteristics

• Honest, forward-looking, and inspiring
• Visionary
• Supportive of extracurricular activities
• Teacher mentor
• Consistency in dealing with issues
• Positive outlook, friendly and open
• Visible
• Keen interest in being in Russia and at AAS
• Good communication (both written and verbal) and interpersonal skills
• A good sense of humor
• Politically astute
• Community and team builder

Required Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Education
• Administrative experience (minimum of three years) at the elementary level
• American, British or Canadian citizenship

Salary and Benefits
Salary is highly competitive and will depend upon the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate. Benefits include a furnished apartment, use of a car, cell phone, travel allowance for self and family, health insurance, professional development, and tuition at AAS for dependent children. Many opportunities exist for a credentialed teaching partner.

Procedure for Filing Application
The Administration of The Anglo-American School of Moscow will conduct the search on its own.

INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN APPLYING SHOULD SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING by Monday, November 16:

• A letter of application
• A current resume
• List of referees with positions and contact information
• Optional: A maximum of three letters of recommendation

Please send electronically the information requested above to: Erica Fursova, H R Manager e-mail: hr@aas.ru

Further information about the school may be found at www.aas.ru