Founding Principal- TN

Rocketship Public Schools•LaVergne/Smyrna, TN

22h•$120,000 - $150,000

About The Position

At Rocketship Public Schools, we believe in the infinite possibility of human potential. We believe that every student deserves the right to dream, to discover, and to develop their unique potential. And it is our responsibility and our privilege to unleash the potential inside every Rocketeer we serve. Our non-profit network of public elementary charter schools propels student achievement, develops exceptional educators, and partners with parents who enable high-quality public schools to thrive in their community. We are a collective of parents, teachers, leaders, and students working together to transform the future for underserved communities across our country. At Rocketship Public Schools, we are unleashing potential. $120,000 - $150,000 a year Position Description Rocketship is opening a new school in Rutherford County, Tennessee (LaVergne and Smyrna, TN) for the 2027-2028 school year. We are hiring a Founding Principal to join us in the Summer of 2026 to help us prepare to launch our new school. The Founding Principal will spend one year planning and preparing for the launch of their new school by engaging in various start-up activities included but not limited to team hiring, parent and family recruitment, facilities design, and developing community partnerships. The Founding Principal is a once-in-a-career opportunity for a visionary educator and leader ready to launch both a new school. This person will spend one year training and planning before leading the opening of Rocketship TN’s new campus..During the planning year, the Founding Principal will:Engage deeply with the Rocketship model and systems. Lead on community outreach and family engagement in TN. Build foundational partnerships with local organizations, educators, and families. Support site selection, enrollment planning, hiring, and operational readiness. As the Founding Principal, the Principal will lead the first school to excellence- building an exceptional team, establishing a joyful and rigorous culture, and laying the groundwork for a thriving multi-school region. The Founding Principal Fellow reports to the Senior Director of Schools. Our Ideal Candidate Current or former principal or assistant principalBelieves in the transformative power of education and that eliminating the achievement gap is possible in our lifetime. Is an entrepreneurial leader who thrives in ambiguity, creates structure from vision, and builds teams and systems from the ground up. Has a track record of leading adults to achieve exceptional student outcomes and a deep belief in the capacity of teachers, families, and students. Values community partnership and approaches founding with humility, inclusivity, and deep local engagement. Has the strategic mindset to balance visionary thinking with disciplined execution- and the persistence to see a launch through from planning to excellence.

Requirements

3+ years of successful teaching experience in an urban elementary setting with demonstrated student growth.
2+ years in a leadership role (Assistant Principal, Principal, or equivalent) with a proven record of coaching adults to drive student achievement.
Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, team leadership, and community engagement.
Strong instructional expertise, particularly in data-driven instruction and elementary content.
Deep belief in the power of community partnerships to transform educational outcomes.
Exceptional organizational, communication, and project management skills.
BA from an accredited university.
Valid Tennessee teaching credential (or ability to transfer) required.

Nice To Haves

Experience in school founding or startup environments preferred.
Spanish bilingual/proficiency preferred.
Administrative credential or enrollment in a credentialing program preferred.

Responsibilities

Participate in intensive leadership development, data-driven instruction training, and strategic planning sessions.
Collaborate with network and regional leaders to plan for facilities, enrollment, staffing, and long-term launch readiness.
Engage families, community members, and partners to build local trust and excitement for Rocketship’s new school.
Conduct community outreach, lead information sessions, and build a founding family base.
Support student recruitment and enrollment efforts to meet or exceed enrollment targets, including developing a comprehensive enrollment and retention strategy.
Partner with network operations, talent, and finance teams to develop school systems, budgets, and a full hiring, investment, and training strategy for the founding staff.
Serve as a founding thought partner in developing TN’s long-term regional strategy, balancing short-term launch priorities with planning for the next 1–5 years amidst the ambiguity inherent in early-stage founding.
Actively engage in governance and board management by cultivating relationships, preparing materials, and participating in meetings to ensure alignment and momentum.
Deeply internalize all pre-planning completed to date, including facilities work, community engagement learnings, charter development, and network decisions.
Additional duties as required to ensure a successful launch.
Build, coach, and retain an excellent founding team of teachers and staff.
Foster a rigorous, inclusive, college-preparatory culture that ensures high levels of student achievement.
Lead professional development, data analysis cycles, and instructional planning to drive results.
Support collaboration across general education, special education, and enrichment staff to align around student success.
Build a culture of authentic partnership with families rooted in respect, trust, and shared accountability.
Establish systems for proactive communication, home visits, and community gatherings.
Promote parent leadership and ensure that families are active participants in school decision-making.
Operate with an entrepreneurial mindset- anticipating needs, building systems, adapting rapidly, and communicating decisions with clarity and confidence.
Partner with network leaders to shape the launch and long-term sustainability of the Orange County region, ensuring Rocketship’s presence is visible, trusted, and community-centered.
Lead the full hiring, investment, and ongoing development of the founding staff.
Hold responsibility for the Founding Top 5 Launch Goals: 1. Facilities fully ready for instruction 2. Enrolling, engaging, and retaining families 3. Securing charter approval and sustaining political support 4. Hiring, investing in, and training the founding staff 5. Building systems to accelerate student achievement aligned to the Rocketship vision