An Incomparable Leadership Opportunity
The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) fosters the discoverers, the thinkers, the innovators and experimenters, and the problem-solvers of the future who can change the world through their life’s work. IMSA innovates the future of science, technology, engineering, and math education to ignite and nurture creative, ethical, scientific minds that advance the human condition. We create a strong and diverse pipeline of talented students at our residential Academy located in Aurora, Illinois for 10th through 12th-grade students. IMSA is ranked #1 Best College Prep Public High School in Illinois by Niche. There are 652 students enrolled at the school. This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone seeking to advance their careers at an amazing Academy for students.
The faculty and staff of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® (IMSA) invite you to apply for this incomparable leadership opportunity to foster a uniquely challenging, highly personalized program of advanced study for our talented students who understand and share our passion for our mission. The Principal will lead IMSA’s residential academy with responsibility for curriculum, instruction, and assessment; student life and academic performance; and professional learning. This position reports to IMSA’s President and serves as a member of the President’s leadership team.
The successful candidate will begin on July 1, 2023.
Principal Position Summary
The Principal leads the distinguished faculty of the residential academy. The faculty of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy is committed to innovative student-centered, constructivist curricula designed to engage students in generative, critical thought. The faculty’s rigorous performance emerges from a balance between disciplinary standards, IMSA beliefs, programmatic research, collegial interaction, and individual passion. The faculty also seeks to engage institutions in Illinois and beyond with an expectation to improve educational practice. The Principal also supervises the Student Inquiry and Research Program, Student Life, College, and Academic Counseling, and Information Resource Center. He or she will help develop and execute the strategic and operational goals of IMSA and develop and facilitate leaders within our dynamic community.
Formal Education Qualifications
- Significant leadership and teaching experience in secondary or higher education
- Demonstrable research or scholarly contributions to your field
- Demonstrable significant leadership experience, including managing professional, exempt-level direct reports
- Master’s required; Doctorate preferred
Duties and Responsibilities
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The Principal and Chief Academic Officer is responsible for, but not limited to:
- Inspire and empower faculty to nurture a student-centered culture where every student is known, challenged, and supported.
- Facilitate the creation and execution of a cohesive, ambitious, innovative academic agenda and related strategy that ensure coherence and integration between the academic, residential, and outreach programs in collaboration with the Academy’s faculty and leadership.
- Co-create and support staffing and process structures that increase and enhance scholarship, innovation, and interdisciplinary teaching and learning across the Academy.
- Guide a process for selecting and developing distinguished faculty and academic professionals.
- Monitor data reflecting student data with an eye for closing equity gaps and ensuring students pursue enrichment.
- Ensure continuous improvement and quality teaching and learning through modeling and embracing feedback and self-flection and fostering mutual respect.
- Guide the development and execution of a vision for appropriate technology integration into teaching and learning.
- Facilitate the implementation of IMSA’s equity and excellence policy, including co-creating innovative and culturally responsive programs that develop talent and leadership in STEM in collaboration with key stakeholders.
Hours/Shift/Work Schedule
As an exempt employee, the incumbent is expected to work the necessary schedule to successfully complete the requirements of the position; typically, Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., with evening and weekend hours for reports, emails, activities, and events.
Salary and Benefits
This position is a full-time twelve-month position. Salary and benefits are commensurate with training and experience expected at this level of leadership in comparable institutions. The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy offers an excellent comprehensive benefits package including health and retirement benefits. The State Universities Retirement System (SURS) is reciprocal with other Illinois public retirement systems such as the Teachers’ Retirement System of Illinois (TRS) and the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF).
Our Students
IMSA serves over 650 academically-gifted 10th to 12th-grade students from across Illinois. Students accepted to IMSA must show a strong history of academic success and the maturity to live on our residential campus. IMSA is tuition-free, with no charge for room and board for Illinois students.
Our Campus
IMSA is located in suburban Aurora, conveniently off I-88. Our 90-acre campus provides students with a safe living and learning environment within a short driving distance of the City of Chicago.
Our Leadership
President, Dr. Evan M. Glazer
Dr. Glazer joined the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy on July 1, 2021, bringing a wealth of education experience at both the secondary and university levels. A native of Illinois, he has deep expertise in leading high-performing, specialized secondary STEM schools with rigorous academic programs, including Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology and Roanoke Valley Governor’s School for Science and Technology. Being raised in the Midwest, Evan is a student of STEM, and leading a STEM school is part of his core experience and identity. Read More…
Principal & Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Comfort Akwaji-Anderson
About IMSA
The mission of IMSA, the world’s leading teaching and learning laboratory for imagination and inquiry, is to ignite and nurture creative, ethical, scientific minds that advance the human condition, through a system distinguished by profound questions, collaborative relationships, personalized experiential learning, global networking, generative use of technology and pioneering outreach.
The internationally recognized Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy develops creative, ethical leaders in STEM fields by offering a comprehensive education in mathematics, the sciences, humanities, and fine arts, as well as engaging students in original research opportunities. IMSA was established by the State of Illinois to enroll academically talented Illinois students (grades 10-12) in its advanced, residential college preparatory program, and to serve educators and students in Illinois and beyond through innovative instructional programs. IMSA also advances education through research, groundbreaking ventures, and strategic partnerships.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer providing equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, or national origin. This policy also includes all disabled applicants, including disabled Vietnam-era veterans. IMSA utilizes only job-related criteria in making decisions concerning applicants and employees.
IMSA is committed to an equitable, diverse, inclusive teaching and learning environment. IMSA has committed to advancing equity in STEM education and representation and creating a diverse, inclusive community of global citizens who can realize their full potential and execute our mission to advance the human condition. Intentional integration of Cultural Competence, Diversity, Equity, Equity-Minded Frame, Excellence, and Inclusion is woven into every facet of the Academy. This Equity and Excellence work is an active and ongoing process involving structures, processes, and people and is not an isolated initiative.
We care about the safety and well-being of our IMSA internal and external community. Please check out our COVID-19 resources and information here.
The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer providing equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, or national origin. This policy also includes the handicapped and all disabled Vietnam-era veterans. IMSA utilizes only job-related criteria in making decisions concerning applicants and employees.
