Principal Fellow

Uncommon New York City Charter Schools • New York, NY

7d • Onsite

About The Position

Uncommon Schools is seeking dedicated individuals to join their Principal Fellowship program. This program is designed to train and develop leaders with the goal of them stepping into an Uncommon Principal role upon completion. The Principal Fellow will co-lead a school alongside an Uncommon Director of Operations. This is a full-time position, reporting to the Regional Superintendent of Instruction and the Senior Director of School Support. The fellowship is built on core elements aligned with the competencies of Uncommon Principals, focusing on developing capacity towards becoming effective instructional school leaders. Key components include receiving regular feedback, immersing in school operations, and participating in professional development. Principal Fellows are expected to take ownership of their learning, actively seeking opportunities to demonstrate leadership readiness.

Requirements

• Passionate commitment to the mission of Uncommon Schools.
• Passionate commitment to expanding knowledge, skills, and opportunities for students.
• Passionate commitment to the mission of Uncommon Schools and investment in being an anti-racist organization.
• Dedication to building culturally responsive learning partnerships with students, teachers, and families.
• Demonstrates tenacity, personal responsibility, a founder’s mentality, and a commitment to continual professional growth.
• Strong people management skills, including the ability to navigate difficult conversations and hold staff, scholars, and families accountable supportively.
• Ability to develop and maintain a strong staff culture focused on the Uncommon mission.
• Strong data analysis skills.
• Ability to strategically manage and prioritize time and tasks effectively.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment; flexible, able to work autonomously and take direction as needed.
• Familiarity and success with–or commitment to–implementing Uncommon’s core tenets of instructional leadership (e.g., See It-Name It-Do It framework, Leverage Leadership principles).
• At least 3 years of teaching experience with evidence of outstanding student growth and achievement.
• At least 1 year of experience coaching, leading, and/or managing teachers (e.g., Assistant Principal, Dean of Curriculum, Instructional Leader, grade level chair, content/department chair).
• A Bachelor's degree.

Nice To Haves

• Experience teaching core subjects (e.g., Math, ELA, Science, History) is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Receive formal and informal feedback from Host Principal, Regional Superintendent of Instruction, and Senior Director of School Support for leadership growth.
• Gain exposure to situations faced by school leaders through full integration into day-to-day school activities.
• Master skills and competencies needed to lead a high-performing school, including Instructional Leadership, Teacher Development, School Culture, and Family Engagement.
• Demonstrate a leadership presence and readiness to lead while immersed in a school.
• Participate in monthly, cross-regional professional development with Principals and cohort members.
• Attend intimate, cohort-specific professional development workshops for practice and direct application.
• Provide high-leverage feedback via classroom observations.
• Strategically manage and prioritize time and tasks effectively to meet school needs with a systems thinking lens.
• Co-lead a school alongside an Uncommon Director of Operations upon completion of the Fellowship.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off inclusive of sick time, paid holidays, and ~10 weeks of paid breaks (Spring, Winter, and Summer).
• Extensive, best-in-class training and development.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Pre-tax flexible spending (FSA), dependent care (DCFSA), and health saving accounts (HSA).
• 403(b) retirement savings program + employer match.
• Paid leave of absence options (parental, medical, disability, etc.).
• Mental health and counseling support.
• Wellness benefits.

What This Job Offers

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