REGIONAL PRINCIPAL LEADERSHIP ACADEMY (COHORT THREE, 2010-11) (#RPLA-3)
Houston A+ Challenge
Houston, Texas

Program Details
Program ID: 32084 Application Deadline: February 12, 2010 at 5 p.m. CST
Starting Date: June 7, 2010

Description
Houston A+ Challenge's Regional Principal Leadership Academy provides a rigorous, practicum-based training and support system for individuals who want to provide instructional leadership for the Houston region's most challenged urban middle and high schools.

Program Details | Applicant FAQ | Application Tips | Selection Process and Timeline | Attend an Information Session


Successful candidates must have a track record of success with students and adults, a passion for social justice, and an entrepreneurial conviction to help turn around local urban middle and high schools that are currently low-performing, suffer from frequent turnover, and serve a majority of low-income students.

Successful candidates will exhibit the following essential qualities:

  • Effective communicator – empathetic with good people skills
  • Reflective – results-oriented and analytical, with a track record of success
  • Knowledgeable – resourceful and eager to learn, with a strong background in instruction
  • Leader – motivated by the development of others
  • Passionate – inspiring, with a "whatever it takes" attitude
Academy participants are full-time employees of their host districts, which provide salary and benefits.

Houston A+ Challenge prohibits discrimination in employment, educational programs, and activities on the basis of race, national origin, color, creed, religion, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or associational preference. Houston A+ Challenge also affirms its commitment to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all positions and programs.

Requirements
  • A minimum of three years of exemplary teaching experience is required, and leadership experience is preferred.
  • Masters degree preferred
  • Citizenship, residency or work VISA in United States required

  • Application Instructions
    Complete applications must be submitted and received by 5 p.m. Friday, February 12, 2010, and include the following:
    • Education – Please include all institutions, degrees and GPAs. (Transcripts and resumes will be required only from individuals advancing to Round 3 in-person interviews.)
    • Experience – Current and Previous Employment History
    • Certifications – Teaching and Administrative
    • References – Contact information for three references is required. One of these references needs to be your current supervisor. The other two should be people who know you well, preferably former instructors, employers or colleagues. (Three letters of reference will be required only from individuals advancing to Round 3 in-person interviews.)
    • Languages – Level at which other languages are spoken, written or understood
    • Essay Questions – See below

    Application Questions
    All applicants must answer the following questions. It is highly recommended that you type any essays in a word processing program, save them, and then paste them on the proceeding job application page.

    1. How did you hear about this Houston A+ Challenge opportunity?
    Multiple Choice / Multiple Answers

    2. In total, how many years of professional teaching experience do you possess?
    Brief Response (Answer limited to 100 characters, including spaces)

    3. In total, how many years of administrative experience do you possess?
    Brief Response (Answer limited to 100 characters, including spaces)

    4. Are you, or have you every been, a Teach For America corps member?
    Yes/No

    5. Please provide a statement of your intent to apply for the Regional Principal Leadership Academy. Please include why you want to lead an urban school and provide specific qualifications that make you a strong candidate.
    Long Essay (Answer limited to 4000 characters, including spaces)

    6. Describe an experience when you led a team of adults to accomplish a common goal (500 words maximum). Your essay must include:
  • The team’s goal and the outcome with respect to the goal
  • How you worked with and engaged the team
  • How you and/or the team made decisions
  • The team dynamics and how that impacted your progress
  • How you held others accountable to reach the goal
  • What you learned from this experience and, as a result, what you have done or would do differently in the future
    Long Essay (Answer limited to 4000 characters, including spaces)

  • 7. Describe a time when you experienced a professional setback or failure. (Please do not use a personal or college-related setback) (500 word maximum). Your essay must include:
  • A description of the experience or situation and your goal
  • The obstacles you faced and steps you took to address them
  • The outcome with respect to your goals and why this outcome occurred
  • What you learned from this experience and, and as a result, what you have done or would do differently in the future
    Long Essay (Answer limited to 4000 characters, including spaces)

  • Contact Information
    Imelda Cardoza, Administrative Assistant
    2700 Southwest Freeway, Suite B
    Houston, Texas 77098-4607
    Phone: 713-658-1881
    icardoza@houstonaplus.org

     
    Houston A+ Challenge | 2700 Southwest Freeway, Suite B | Houston, TX 77098-4607
    Tel: (713) 658-1881 | Fax: (713) 739-0166
    www.houstonaplus.org