Assistant Principal, High School Candidate Pool

Howard County Public School System • Lawrence, MA

23h • Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the principal, the assistant principal assists with administering and supervising the total school program and providing educational leadership for the students, staff members, and the community consistent with the educational goals of the school system. Functions of this position include establishing a climate conducive to learning, planning and coordinating programs, affecting change, and decision-making. This position is posted to identify candidates for inclusion in the candidate pool for vacancies that may occur for the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 school years. Application evaluations and interviews for qualified candidates are expected to occur during the time periods below: October – for applications submitted through October 2, 2026; March – for applications submitted through January 31, 2027. Applications submitted after January 31, 2027 may be considered depending on the needs of the school system.

Requirements

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Hold a current Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) professional certificate or license in an MSDE licensure area at the time of application with any of the additional endorsements below: Administrator I or II, Supervisors of Instruction, Assistant Principals, and Principals.
• Applicants who do not already possess the required licensure above may be considered if you are eligible through one of the pathways below: Hold a current MSDE professional certificate or license and complete all MSDE requirements for the Supervisors of Instruction, Assistant Principals, and Principals endorsement by the position effective date.
• Hold a current professional certificate or license in administration from another state or country and possess five years of effective performance as an administrator in a PreK-12 school setting.
• Hold a current out-of-state educator certificate or license and have completed both of the following: An out-of-state program leading to administrator licensure, Earned a passing score on the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (Praxis 6990).
• Five (5) years of experience as a certificated or licensed educator, at least two (2) years of which must be at the high school level.
• Two (2) years of experience holding leadership roles, leading beyond the classroom, or leading programs or projects.
• Other combinations of applicable education, training, and experience which provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered.
• All current and prior employment experience in education is listed on the application.
• A current resume uploaded.
• Responses to the below supplemental application questions.
• All current educator certificates or licenses uploaded. If your certificate or license does not show an administrator endorsement and you have recently completed an approved program leading to licensure in this area, you must upload the applicable transcript(s).

Nice To Haves

• Experience across multiple grade levels, curricular areas, or schools.
• Experience serving students with diverse needs.
• Experience in instructional leadership roles responsible for decision-making at a whole-school or school-system level.
• Utilizes data related to equity to provide learning experiences that promote cultural responsiveness and success for all learners.
• Mentors or coaches school educators on evidence based pedagogical practices to improve instruction and meet the needs of all students.
• Understands and contributes to the cycle of continuous school improvement.

Responsibilities

• Assists the principal in providing effective leadership in the operation of the school and implementation of the Howard County Public School System’s mission at the school level.
• Articulates the goals of the HCPSS Board of Education and demonstrates an understanding of the Howard County Public School System’s Educational Equity policy.
• Advocates a child-centered approach to school and student management and extends that expectation to staff.
• Shares responsibility to establish a safe and orderly school environment conducive to learning for all students.
• Assists in the promotion of student voice and utilization of resources to support youth in becoming active and engaged participants in their academic experience.
• Utilizes restorative justice practices where appropriate and supports school staff in building a positive culture where students and staff feel valued, welcomed, and supported to fulfil their academic and professional potential.
• Assists the principal in developing and conducting ongoing programs and activities of information, communication, and public relations that focus on improvement of student achievement.
• Utilizes a variety of data to assist in the development of a school improvement plan and strategies that will enhance the academic success of all students.
• Supports the implementation of equity-focused data analysis to identify current gaps in educational outcomes, programming, supports, and interventions to develop and implement school improvement plans.
• Ensures that staff analyze student achievement data and uses that data to improve instruction in the classroom.
• Works with the principal to implement practices, based on data, to address student achievement related to state assessments.
• Shares responsibility for achievement of all students.
• Demonstrates active leadership and good judgment in working with all staff members concerning the problems and opportunities of the school.
• Provides instructional leadership and facilitates professional development.
• Develops further professional abilities and those of the school's staff.
• Assumes specific responsibilities assigned by the principal in the selection, orientation, assignment, supervision, and evaluation of staff.
• Assures that positive attitudes toward students and others are cultivated and that effective skills in human relations are developed and practiced.
• Supports the concept of shared leadership with the staff and school community.
• Provides opportunities for effective community participation in the school.
• Addresses student behavior problems positively and promptly.
• Assumes responsibility for the operation of the school in the absence of the principal.

Benefits

• Membership in the Maryland State Retirement Agency (MSRA) pension plan is a mandatory condition of employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria defined in the State Personnel and Pensions Article and the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR).
• HCPSS offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees.
• Information about additional benefits such as paid time off can be found in the negotiated agreement for employees in this bargaining unit.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level