Elementary School Principal (2025-26 school year)

Education Required Level: Master’s Degree

General Purpose

Michigan City Area Schools is seeking an instructional and operational leader for Joy Elementary School. This position is responsible for overseeing daily school operations, including academic programs, staff supervision, and student support services. The Principal will promote high-quality instructional practices, demonstrate a passion for working with children, and maintain the belief that all students can succeed.

Key responsibilities include selecting and assigning staff, supporting professional growth, and building staff leadership capacity. The Principal will collect and analyze data to drive continuous improvement in student achievement, manage school operations, and evaluate and develop staff effectively. The ideal candidate will create a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environment, implement data-driven strategies to enhance instructional practices and student outcomes, and lead the development and execution of the school’s strategic plan in alignment with district goals.

Additional duties include leading professional development initiatives, addressing student discipline, fostering family and community engagement, analyzing student performance data, supporting technology integration, and overseeing school safety efforts.

For additional information about this position, Michigan City Area Schools, and our community, visit:

Joy Elementary School Principal

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Oversee daily school operations, including academic programs, staff supervision, and student support services.
• Promote high-quality instructional practices and foster a passion for working with children, believing in the success of all students.
• Select, assign, and support staff, focusing on professional growth and building leadership capacity.
• Collect and analyze data to drive continuous improvement in student achievement, manage operations, and evaluate staff.
• Foster a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environment.
• Implement data-driven strategies to improve instructional practices and student outcomes.
• Develop and implement the school’s strategic plan aligned with district goals.
• Lead professional development initiatives and address student discipline.
• Promote family and community engagement.
• Analyze student performance data and support technology integration.
• Lead school safety initiatives.

Main Job Tasks and Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation, engagement, and monitoring of district curriculum programs with integrity and fidelity.
• Actively participate in district professional development to support leadership development and student achievement.
• Support instructional coaching cycles by implementing, supporting, and monitoring the district model.
• Create and monitor continuous improvement cycles using formative assessments, data analysis, and reteaching.
• Establish and maintain a positive, supportive, inclusive, and effective learning climate within the school.
• Promote and model cultural competencies and equity through leadership and professional development.
• Lead school improvement using an effective site-based shared decision-making model.
• Supervise and evaluate programs, activities, and staff.
• Develop and maintain effective school-community relationships.
• Provide professional development aligned with district goals to accelerate student achievement, focusing on a diverse student population.
• Supervise the maintenance of all required building records and reports.
• Interpret and enforce district policies and administrative regulations.
• Lead the setting and achievement of a coherent organizational structure that fosters continuous school improvement.
• Provide instructional leadership using various data sources, emphasizing the complexity and importance of teaching and learning.
• Manage operations and resources effectively.
• Collaborate with other elementary principals, district directors, and central administrative staff on district-wide planning and resolutions.
• Keep the Associate Superintendent informed of the school’s activities and any emerging issues.
• Establish a community of trust and create systems and structures necessary for relationship-building.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Associate Superintendent and Superintendent of Schools.

Education and Experience

• Master’s degree or higher from an accredited institution
• Meet school administration and state requirements of Michigan City Area Schools and the State of Indiana
• Commitment to working in an economically and racially diverse community

Salary and Benefits

Payment Type: Commensurate with experience

Benefits: Per the Administrator and Staff Handbook

The Michigan City Area Schools does not discriminate on the basis of the Protected Classes of race, color, national origin, sex (including transgender status, sexual orientation and gender identity), disability, age, religion, military status, ancestry, or genetic information, which are classes protected by Federal and/or State law (collectively, "Protected Classes"). This includes the Corporation's employment opportunities, programs, and/or activities, or, if initially occurring off Corporation grounds or outside the Corporation's employment opportunities, programs and activities, affecting the Corporation's environment. For further information, clarification, or complaint, please contact the MCAS School Administration, 408 S. Carroll Avenue, Michigan City, Indiana 46360 at (219) 873-2000 for Title IX (gender equity related issues); or Special Education Director , 408 S. Carroll Avenue, Michigan City, Indiana 46360 at (219) 873-2000 for Section 504 (non-discrimination/disability issues and Americans with Disabilities). Any other information concerning the above policies may be obtained by contacting the Superintendent, Dr. Wendel McCollum, 408 S. Carroll Ave., Michigan City, Indiana 46360 at (219) 873-2000.