Principal Fellow

Rochester Prep Charter School • Rochester, NY

18d

About The Position

Uncommon Schools Principal Fellows are strategically trained and developed using best-in-class practices with the goal of stepping into an Uncommon Principal role upon completion of the Fellowship. In that role, they will co-lead a school alongside an Uncommon Director of Operations. The Principal Fellow is a full-time employee, hired, supported, and evaluated by the Regional Superintendent of Instruction and the Senior Director of School Support.

The Fellowship develops leadership capacity through feedback and assessment, school immersion, and professional development. Fellows receive formal and informal feedback from their Host Principal, Regional Superintendent of Instruction, and Senior Director of School Support. By integrating into the daily activities of an Uncommon school, Fellows gain exposure to school leadership situations and work with their Host Principal and Senior Director of School Support to develop skills in instructional leadership, teacher development, school culture, and family engagement. Fellows are expected to take ownership of their learning and seek opportunities to demonstrate leadership readiness.

Fellows participate in monthly cross-regional professional development with Principals and attend cohort-specific workshops focused on practice, application, and mutual support. Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of public charter schools serving communities in Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester, with a mission to provide an exceptional K-12 education and prepare students for college and beyond.

Requirements

• Passionate commitment to the mission of Uncommon Schools and to expanding knowledge, skills, and opportunities for students.
• Dedication to building culturally responsive learning partnerships with students, teachers, and families.
• Tenacity, personal responsibility, a founder’s mentality, and commitment to continual professional growth.
• Strong people management skills, including navigating difficult conversations and holding 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 provide high-leverage feedback through classroom observations.
• Ability to strategically manage and prioritize time and tasks, with a systems-thinking lens.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, work flexibly and autonomously, and take direction as needed.
• Familiarity with and success in—or commitment to—implementing Uncommon’s instructional leadership principles, such as the See It-Name It-Do It framework and 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.
• Bachelor’s degree.

Nice To Haves

• Experience teaching core subjects such as Math, ELA, Science, or History.

Responsibilities

• Participate in formal and informal feedback and assessment throughout the Fellowship.
• Integrate fully into the day-to-day activities of an Uncommon school and manage the complex situations that arise in a school setting.
• Work with the Host Principal and Senior Director of School Support to plan and master the skills and competencies needed to lead a high-performing school.
• Develop capabilities in instructional leadership, teacher development, school culture, and family engagement.
• Take ownership of learning and seek opportunities to demonstrate leadership presence and readiness to lead.
• Attend monthly cross-regional professional development with Principals and cohort-specific professional development workshops.
• Upon completing the Fellowship, step into an Uncommon Principal role and co-lead a school alongside an Uncommon Director of Operations.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation.
• Generous paid time off, including sick time, paid holidays, and approximately 10 weeks of paid breaks across spring, winter, and summer.
• Extensive training and development.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Pre-tax flexible spending accounts, dependent care accounts, and health savings accounts.
• 403(b) retirement savings program with employer match.
• Paid leave of absence options, including parental, medical, and disability leave.
• Mental health and counseling support, and wellness benefits.

What This Job Offers

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