University Prep Schools - Elementary School Principal

Job Summary

Are you ready to lead, inspire, and make a transformative impact? We seek a visionary Principal who will serve as both the lead educator and the architect of school culture. As Principal, you will drive the design and implementation of innovative curricula, dynamic programs, and a positive school culture that empowers every student to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Your leadership will also ensure our educators' ongoing growth and excellence through meaningful professional development, actionable feedback, and collaborative support. You will guide a culture of excellence, equity, and relentless commitment to our mission.

Our Mission:
We prepare students for success in life.

Who Were Looking For:
If you are:

• Passionate about education and committed to preparing students for a bright future
• Driven to inspire and empower both staff and students
• Innovative in finding solutions and leading change
• Dedicated to excellence and growth in yourself and others

Then, we are looking for YOU to lead the way in shaping young lives and fostering an environment where everyone can succeed.

Role Responsibilities

• Instructional Leadership
  • Sets Academic Vision and Goals
    • Ensures implementation of state and network curricula and assessments aligned with state standards, including college and career readiness standards
    • lead the charge in setting a visionary academic path and goals for our school
  • UPrep Model Model
    • Drives all school decisions aligned to the Pillars of Culturally Responsive Pedagogy:
      • Pillar 1: Culturally Responsive Teaching
      • Pillar 2: Project Based Learning
      • Pillar 3: CREW (Our approach to Advisory)
      • Pillar 4: Distributed Leadership
  • Data Driven
    • Monitors and ensures high-quality instructional practices among teachers and staff that improve student performance weekly through our Instructional Leadership Team structure
    • Ensures teachers analyze and use assessment data to plan, implement, and modify curriculum and instruction to produce optimal learning
    • Ensures that effective instruction maximizes the growth of individual students and student groups, supports equity, and eliminates the achievement gap

• Culture and Community
  • Student-Centered Environment
    • Creates a student-centered environment focused on trust, respect, collaboration, and high expectations that will allow every student to achieve
    • Develops, implements, and sustains a shared vision of high expectations for all students and staff
  • Visible Presence
    • Maintains a visible presence in classrooms and at extracurricular events, co-curricular events, and network events as is appropriate to job responsibilities
• Operations, Systems, and Planning
  • Strategic Planning
    • Collaborates with the Academics and Operations House to outline and track clear goals, targets, and strategies aligned to a school vision that continuously improves teacher effectiveness and student outcomes
  • Maximized Learning Time
    • Implements daily schedules and a yearlong plan for regular data-driven instruction cycles, gives students access to diverse and rigorous instructional programs, and builds in time for professional development
  • Resource Alignment
    • Aligns resources with the needs of the school and effectively monitors the impact of these resources and school goals.
  • Policy Implementation and Advocacy
    • Collaborates with network staff to implement policies and advocate for the needs of all network students and staff.
• Growth and Development
  • Talent Recruitment, Retention, Development, and Evaluation
    • Coaches and develops teachers and staff by giving individual feedback and aligned professional development opportunities.
    • Implements collaborative structures and provides leadership opportunities for effective teachers and staff.
    • Provides clear expectations of performance and conducts rigorous evaluations of all staff using multiple data sources
• Leadership
  • Growth Mindset and Continuous Improvement
    • Is solutions-oriented, treats challenges as opportunities, and supports the school and community through continuous improvement.
  • Cultural and Political Competence
    • Consistently articulates the organizations vision and strategy clearly to others.
  • Decision-Making
    • Makes timely and effective decisions that drive the best outcomes for students.
    • Demonstrates excellent judgment in communicating decisions and involving network staff as appropriate, based on decision type (i.e. leaf, branch, trunk, root)
  • Change Leadership
    • Anticipates and manages internal and external political dynamics around change efforts
  • Motivation and Courage
    • Maintains focus and takes risks in pursuit of breakthrough results for students
    • Strives to lead the team in achieving results beyond what is expected

Education and Certification:
Master's degree or higher, with a focus on educational leadership, to ignite your path to greatness
Hold the prestigious Michigan Administrator Certificate to lead with authority and impact

Experience:
Preferred: 3 years of transformative experience as a principal with string outcomes
Desired: 5 years of teaching and/or instructional coaching experience with strong outcomes

Skills:

Expert in Curriculum and Instruction: Possesses a deep understanding of rigorous curriculum design and innovative instructional strategies to achieve exceptional outcomes

• Skilled Communicator: Excels at simplifying complex ideas and motivating others to act clearly and purposefully
• Strategic Visionary: Transforms ideas into impactful realities through exceptional project management and strategic execution
• Compassionate Leader: Demonstrates empathy and adeptness in managing the expectations and emotions of students and adults alike
• Dedicated Mentor: Committed to coaching and empowering others to excel in teaching and leadership roles

Embodies:

• Collaboration: A team player who also thrives in independent work
• Empathy: Shows genuine care and respect for every individual
• Purpose-Driven: Focused on actions that create meaningful impact
• Bold Leadership: Combines visionary thinking with decisive action