Principal Fellow

North Star Academy Charter School • Newark, NJ

18d • $110,000 - $116,700

About The Position

Uncommon Schools is hiring a full-time Principal Fellow to prepare for a future role as an Uncommon Principal. Fellows receive strategic training and development with the goal of stepping into a Principal role upon completing the Fellowship, where they will co-lead a school alongside an Uncommon Director of Operations. The Fellow is hired, supported, and evaluated by the Regional Superintendent of Instruction and the Senior Director of School Support.

The Fellowship develops the skills and competencies needed to lead a high-performing school through individualized feedback and assessment, full immersion in the day-to-day work of an Uncommon school, and ongoing professional development. Fellows work with a Host Principal and the Senior Director of School Support to plan how they will build expertise in instructional leadership, teacher development, school culture, and family engagement. They are expected to take ownership of their learning, seek opportunities to demonstrate leadership readiness, and manage the complex situations that arise in a school.

Fellows participate in monthly cross-regional professional development with Principals and attend cohort-specific workshops involving practice, direct application to their school immersion, and peer support. Compensation is between $110,000 and $116,700; most candidates meeting the job requirements will receive an offer of $110,000. Starting pay considers factors including relevant professional development, education certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools.

Requirements

• Passionate commitment to the mission of Uncommon Schools and to expanding students’ knowledge, skills, and opportunities in and out of school.
• 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 in a supportive manner.
• Ability to develop and maintain a strong staff culture focused on realizing 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, to meet school needs.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, work flexibly and autonomously, and take direction as needed.
• Familiarity and success with—or commitment to—implementing Uncommon’s instructional leadership tenets, 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.
• A 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, including feedback from the Host Principal, Regional Superintendent of Instruction, and Senior Director of School Support.
• Integrate fully into an Uncommon school’s day-to-day activities and build experience managing complex school scenarios.
• Work with the Host Principal and Senior Director of School Support to plan development of the competencies needed to lead a high-performing school.
• Build skills in instructional leadership, teacher development, school culture, and family engagement.
• Take ownership of learning by seeking and planning opportunities to demonstrate leadership presence and readiness to lead.
• Attend monthly cross-regional professional development with Principals and cohort members.
• Attend cohort-specific professional development workshops and apply learning to the school immersion.
• Upon completion of the Fellowship, step into an Uncommon Principal role and co-lead a school alongside an Uncommon Director of Operations.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off, including sick time, paid holidays, and approximately 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 accounts (FSA), dependent care flexible spending accounts (DCFSA), and health savings accounts (HSA).
• Financial planning.
• New Jersey Pension program.
• Paid leave of absence options, including parental, medical, and disability leave.
• Mental health and counseling support.
• Wellness benefit.

What This Job Offers

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