Principal-Chavez Elementary

Job Title: Principal - Chavez Elementary School

Reports to: Deputy Superintendent

Dept.: Educational Services

Exemption Status: Exempt/Professional

Pay Grade: AP5

Calendar: 217 days

Primary Purpose: 

Direct and manage instructional programs and supervise operations and personnel at campus level.  Provide leadership to ensure high standards of instructional service. Oversee compliance with district policies, success of instructional programs and operation of all campus activities.

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

• Master’s Degree from accredited University

• Texas Principal or other appropriate Texas administrator certificate

• Certified Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System (T-TESS) Appraiser

 Special Knowledge/Skills: 

• Excellent organizational,communication,public relations & interpersonal skills
• Working knowledge of curriculum and instruction
• Ability to evaluate instructional program and teaching effectiveness
• Ability to manage budget and personnel
• Ability to implement policy and procedures
• Ability to interpret data

Experience:

• Three years experience as a classroom teacher
• Three years experience in instructional leadership role
• Two years successful principal experience preferred

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

• Monitors instructional and managerial processes to ensure that program activities are related to program outcomes and use findings to take corrective actions, as well as for recognition of success. Engages in constructive discussion at curriculum meetings.  Provides campus input into curriculum planning, but places the interest of the district above individual campus matters of curriculum.   Accepts and implements decisions concerning curriculum matters.  Monitors campus curriculum to see that it is compatible and reflective of the district curriculum.

• Regularly consults the campus-level committee about planning, operation, supervision, and evaluation of campus education programs.  Includes students and community representatives when appropriate.

• Ensures curriculum renewal is continuous and responsive to student needs. Possesses knowledge about the district curriculum.  Possesses knowledge about various instructional strategies.  Seeks instruction assistance from the curriculum office.  Abides by program policies and guidelines.

• Provides instructional resources and materials to support teaching staff in accomplishing instructional goals. Issues curriculum guides and requires teachers to comply. Monitors lesson plans.  Requests prior approval before any deviations from the approved curriculum is implemented.  Encourages teachers to work in district-wide committees.

• Cooperates and contributes to the district administrative team. Demonstrates enthusiasm which inspires others. Accepts constructive criticism designed to affect improvement.  Displays an open and receptive attitude toward directors, coordinators and supervisors.  Encourages teachers to work with directors, coordinators and supervisors.

• Develops teachers’ capacity to meet the needs of all students to ensure high levels of academic success.
• Leads Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) utilizing data and instructional decision making and planning for optimal student growth and achievement. 

• Fosters collegiality and team building among staff members. Encourages their active involvement in the decision-making process.

• Provides for two-way communication with the superintendent, staff, students, parents and community.

• Communicates and promotes expectations for high-level performance to staff and students. Recognizes excellence and achievement.  Enforces discipline management plan campus-wide.

• Ensures the effective and quick resolution of conflicts. Places the welfare of the child as a first priority. Tries to understand all sides of the situation. Takes time to gather data.  Respects the rights of others to express their opinions.

• Initiates and supports programs and actions that facilitate a positive, caring climate for learning and an orderly, purposeful environment. Fosters school pride through special programs.  Enforces school-wide rules.  Promotes special programs on campus.  Reflects the climate for learning through campus plan.

• Builds a common vision for school improvement with staff. Directs planning activities and puts programs in place with staff to ensure attainment of the school's mission.

• Identifies, analyzes and applied research findings (e.g., effective school correlates) to promote school improvement. Conducts state testing activities in accordance with instructions and directives. Uses state testing results to improve instruction.

• Develops and sets annual campus performance objectives for each of the Academic Excellence Indicators using the campus planning process and site-based decision-making committee. 

• Develops, maintains and uses information systems and records necessary to show campus progress on performance objectives addressing each Academic Excellence Indicator and/or Systems Safeguards.

• Interviews, selects and orients new staff. Approves all personnel assigned to the campus.

• Defines expectations   for   staff   performance   with   regard   to   instructional   strategies, classroom management and communication with the public.

• Observes staff performance, records observations and conducts evaluation conferences with staff.

• Assigns and promotes campus personnel.

• Makes recommendations to the superintendent on termination, suspension or nonrenewal of staff assigned to the campus.

• Works with campus-level planning and decision-making committees to plan professional development activities.

• Confers with subordinates regarding their professional growth. Works with them to develop and accomplish improvement goals.

• Complies with district policies and state and federal laws and regulations affecting the schools.

• Develops campus budgets based on documented program needs, estimated enrollment, personnel and other fiscal needs. Keeps programs within budget limits. Maintains fiscal control. Accurately reports fiscal information.

• Compiles, maintains and files all physical and computerized reports, records and other documents required including accurate and timely reports of maximum attendance to requisition textbooks.

• Manages use of school facilities. Supervises maintenance of facilities to ensure a clean, orderly and safe campus.

• Directs and manages extracurricular and intramural programs including management of multiple activity funds.

• Displays respect for other people’s time by being punctual to district and committee meetings. Responds to time limits. Maintains established work hours. Promptly attends meetings. Meets deadlines set by the central office. Sets examples for staff to follow.

• Works with staff and students to develop a student discipline management system that results in positive student behavior and enhances the school climate.

• Ensures that school rules are uniformly observed and that student discipline is appropriate and equitable in accordance with Student Code of Conduct and student handbook.

• Conducts conferences about student and school issues with parents, students and staff.

• Develops and communicates to students, staff and parents school guidelines for student conduct. Provides constructive feedback to improve the student/parent handbook. Supports appropriate modifications for pupils with special needs. Assists transportation in maintaining discipline aboard school buses.

• Develops professional skills appropriate to job assignment.

• Demonstrates professional, ethical and responsible behavior. Serves as a role model for all staff.

• Utilizes information provided through assessment instruments, the district appraisal process and evaluative feedback from supervisors to improve performance. Sets goals which reflect feedback from the evaluation process.

• Strives to improve   leadership   skills through   self-initiated   professional   development   Undertakes professional reading. Attends professional conferences.

• Demonstrates the use of appropriate and effective techniques for community and parent involvement. Encourages parent involvement in school activities. Takes an active role in the school PTSA and other similar school parent organizations 

• Articulates the school’s mission to the community and solicits its support in realizing the mission.

• Demonstrates awareness of school and community needs and initiates activities to meet those needs.

• Uses appropriate and effective techniques to encourage community and parent involvement.
• Complete T-PESS training to effectively evaluate assistant principal(s) assigned to the campus. 
• Partner with the Deputy Superintendent in utilization of the T-PESS instrument to collaborate for professional growth and accountability throughout the year. T-PESS will be the appraisal instrument for this position. 

• Performs other duties as assigned.

 Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Supervise, evaluate, and oversee all campus staff

Working Conditions:

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

Tools/Equipment used:

• Standard office equipment including personal computer and peripherals

Posture:

• Prolonged sitting; occasional bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting

Motion:

• Repetitive hand motions, frequent keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching

Lifting:

• Occasional light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds)

Environment:

• Frequent district-wide travel; occasional statewide travel; frequent prolonged and irregular hours
• Work must be performed onsite          

Mental Demands:

• Ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written); interpret policy, procedures, and data; coordinate district functions;work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress.

This job description describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.

Little Elm ISD does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, military status, genetic information, or on any other basis prohibited by law. Additionally, the District does not discriminate against  an employee or applicant who acts to oppose such discrimination or participates in the investigation of a complaint related to a discriminatory employment practice. Employment decisions will be made on the basis of each applicant’s job qualifications, experience, and abilities.

El Distrito Escolar Independiente de Little Elm no discrimina a ningún empleado o candidato a empleo por razón de raza, color, religión, sexo, nacionalidad, edad, incapacidad, estatus militar, información genética o de cualquier otra razón prohibida por ley. Además, el distrito escolar no discrimina a ningún empleado o candidato a empleo que actúe oponiéndose a ese tipo de discriminaciones o que participe en la investigación de una queja relacionada con alguna práctica discriminatoria en la contratación. La toma de decisiones respecto a una contratación se hará en función de las calificaciones, experiencia y habilidades del candidato.