Middle School Principal

Role Title: Principal - Middle School Division

Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt

EEO Job Category: Academics - Full Time, Year Round

Reports to: Leadership

Main Purposes of the Role:

Responsible for achieving the goals, objectives and long-term vision of the middle school to deliver superior student academic growth and teacher professional development by planning, implementing, evaluating the educational program.

Manage the staff in middle school, encouraging a positive, cooperative, and collaborative teaching and learning environment for staff and students.

Provide outstanding customer service and be a role model to families and students to achieve high student retention and referral rates.

Responsible for the day-to-day operations of the middle school while providing a nurturing and safe environment for students.

Key Responsibilities as Middle School Principal (primary tasks, functions and deliverables of the role):

• Collaborate with staff to develop and implement academic and visionary plans that address the needs of students
• Monitor student test data to ensure academic standards are meeting the school’s academic and visionary plans
• Manage the day-to-day operations of the middle school including, but not limited to, oversight of school rules and policies; management of school and divisional budgets; organization of teaching schedules; regulation of student behavior; engage in family interactions; create student class lists; organize event/activity calendars; create testing schedules; organize student & family conferences; enforce uniform dress code; plan assemblies; and other administrative duties as assigned
• Recruit, interview and train new faculty including homeroom and co-curricular teachers and guest teachers
• Manage the professional development, training and coaching (TAPD) of middle school teachers and staff to improve the quality of instruction, recognize areas of high performance and educational needs, and support teacher professional development
• Facilitate curriculum meetings and coordinate an academic strategic plan
• Conduct teacher and classroom observations to support teacher development and promote student learning including providing verbal feedback, written key performance indicators, action plans, and evaluation mechanisms
• Coordinate faculty meetings and agendas, organize teacher in-service days, examine and approve students’ Personal Learning Plan (PLP), and provide collaboration opportunities among grade levels and specialty/subject area teachers
• Develop class schedules, elective and club programs, differentiate standard vs. honors classes, and select teachers for advisory roles
• Lead by example, demonstrating professionalism, to help maintain a collaborative and supportive atmosphere for students and faculty
• Develop and maintain a high level of student morale, student-community relationships, and satisfactory levels of student conduct according to policy
• Support student academic, social and emotional needs of students, handling discipline or behavioral concerns; provide feedback to teachers and families if required; and attend conferences and meetings to address student needs
• Collaborate with the Learning Support Team in the development of academic plans; create program standards; support students with individual learning needs (for example language, dyslexia, ADHD); and identify how to ensure continued student and program growth
• Create a proactive family re-enrollment program that will build positive relations between the school and families. Give feedback and solutions that assists in helping to secure family retention rates
• Research and write family communications which recognize student growth and success for publications such as newsletters, opinion pieces, marketing and family communications
• Promote the school by attending and presenting relevant school initiatives and successes at PTA meetings, parent meetings, assemblies, ownership meetings, back to school events, and external events (when required)
• Develop and coordinate student and staff programs such as Student of the Week/Month, Student Council, NJHS, student testing programs, and advanced recognition and teacher recognition
• Steer, coordinate and attend (when required) various school initiatives and programs such as Family Orientation, High School Orientation/Registration events, 8 Grade Promotion, International Week, out-of-state field trips, Reading Week, Career Day, Visual/Performing Arts Performances and community initiatives
• Work with the Middle School staff to ensure consistency in instructional approach and standards, school academic achievement and smooth transitions and retention rates across the grade levels
• Maintain and recruit a pool of guest teachers and manage class assignments when necessary
• Collaborate with EC Director and LS principal to strengthen vertical alignment of curriculum
• Other duties as designated by Leadership

Key Responsibilities as Member of Leadership (primary tasks, functions and deliverables of the role):

• Implement the school’s academic and visionary plan; recommend policies and regulations relating to the daily academic, extra-curricular, co-curricular, and social activities of the division
• Collaborate with other Leadership members on divisional and school wide accreditations, certifications, and inspections to ensure the school’s compliance
• Participate as a member of School Leadership with planning and control of budgets including teacher training, procurement and supplies, scholarships and applications, private funding, grant and award applications
• Coordinate with Leadership the recruitment, hiring and onboarding of staff, including faculty and support staff
• Coordinate with Leadership the recruitment, hiring, and onboarding and enrollment of students by attending tours, open houses, bridging events; reviewing applications; participating in shadows and student assessment/performance; attending parent feedback meetings and assigning classes
• Maintain a safe and secure campus, initiate fire and emergency drills, be the first point of call for major incidents and accidents as part of your management role

Experience, Skills and Competencies (The abilities needed to perform this role effectively)

• Forward-looking, creative and inspirational visionary with modern methodologies, progressive pedagogy and constructive problem-solving skills
• Highly motivated, strong interpersonal skills, including diplomacy, patience, and empathy; a fast learner with a hands-on approach
• Confident with building and maintaining positive relationships with families, students, and faculty
• Ability to work within an ever-changing environment; can think on feet and adapt to current situations; highly organized
• Work within a highly confidential environment
• Demonstrate the ability to work alone and within a team
• Ability to multitask and prioritize workloads across multiple constituencies and competing priorities
• Ability to collaborate with Leadership Team, co-principals, and staff in a positive and productive manner
• Experience of leading a team of instructional leaders to foster professional growth
• Experience with the supervision cycle and the coaching approach to mentoring and developing quality teachers, ability to develop reflective thinkers/cognitive practitioners and to ensure action plans are delivered within the school and class environment
• Strong content knowledge in core areas such as literacy, mathematics and science and a passion for arts and technology
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• Strong knowledge of high school expectations and pre-adolescent development to help students with transition to high school
• Ability to analyze data and performance statistics, minimizing risks and highlighting achievements; putting data and stats into formats and contexts that are clear, concise and beneficial to the audience
• Availability to work flexible hours including early morning, evening and some weekend hours
• Ability to attend conferences, meetings, and chaperone field trips that may require some travel and overnight stays
• Minimum of three years of educational experience as a teacher
• Confident in the use of Apple, Google, Student Information Systems, and Microsoft office suite

Qualifications

Required:

Master's degree

Three years of classroom experience in secondary level education

Previous experience with the following:

• Standardized Assessment and A-F grading standards
• Social-Emotional Learning Curriculum
• Professional Training Development and Coaching
• Middle School Best Practices

Preferred

State Licensed/certification

Three years of instructional leadership and management within an academic setting

In addition to the required experience, previous experience with any of the

following:

• Small-group instruction/ Differentiation
• Gifted & Talented Education
• Responsive Classroom
• Experience in Instructional Leadership/Adminsitration

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person