Principal Fellow

Uncommon Schools • Boston, MA

15h • $107,000 - $113,500 • Onsite

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 which they will co-lead a school alongside an Uncommon Director of Operations. This Principal Fellow and eventual Principal is a full-time employee, hired, supported, and evaluated by the Regional Superintendent of Instruction and the Senior Director of School Support. The fellowship is based on a foundation of core elements aligned to the competencies of Uncommon Principals. Each element is designed to build Principal Fellows’ capacity towards becoming effective instructional school leaders.

Requirements

• Passionate commitment to the mission of Uncommon Schools
• Passionate commitment to expand knowledge, skills, and opportunities for students both in and out of school
• 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 effectively navigate difficult conversations and hold staff, scholars, and families accountable in a supportive manner
• Ability to develop and maintain a strong staff culture that is clearly focused on realizing our Uncommon mission
• Strong data analysis skills
• Ability to provide high-leverage feedback via classroom observations
• Ability to strategically manage and prioritize time and tasks effectively to fully meet the needs of their school, with a lens toward systems thinking
• 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 feedback formally and informally throughout the Fellowship during their time in schools, professional development, and in cross-regional Fellow cohort gatherings.
• Integrate fully into the day-to-day activities of an Uncommon school to gain exposure to situations they may face as a school leader and be challenged to manage the complexity of scenarios that occur at a school.
• Work with their Host Principal and the Senior Director of School Support throughout their Fellowship to plan how they will master the skills and competencies needed to lead a high-performing school, including Instructional Leadership, Teacher Development, School Culture, and Family Engagement.
• Seek and plan for opportunities throughout their Fellowship to demonstrate a leadership presence and readiness to lead while being fully immersed within a school.
• Join Principals in monthly, cross-regional professional development to learn alongside Principals and cohort members about the most up-to-date instructional leadership and people management best practices to develop leadership capabilities.
• Attend cohort-specific professional development workshops which are more intimate and allow for more “at-bats,” practice and direct application to their school immersion.

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)
• Financial Planning
• Pension through Mass. Teachers Retirement System
• 403(b) retirement savings program
• 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