Principal, Central High

Omaha Public Schools • Omaha, NE

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Central High School Description: For over 150 years, Central has offered rigorous, comprehensive class curricula with a college preparatory focus. Located in downtown Omaha, Central High School’s neighbors include Creighton University, the Joslyn Art Museum, and major businesses. The diverse student population comes from all over the Omaha metro area. Central is an International Baccalaureate World School. Central’s staff, with the support of the local community, strives to educate every student academically, personally, and socially. Every student is expected to contribute to the Central community by becoming involved in at least one school-related activity. Although known primarily for its students’ academic accomplishments, Central holds a national reputation in academic competitions, athletics, and the performing arts.

Job Title: Principal

Position Purpose: The principal is the leader for all functions on campus and is the instructional leader of the school. OPS seeks excellent leaders who can prepare all students for college, career, and community leadership.

Requirements

• Minimum of Master’s Degree with major emphasis in educational administration.
• A valid Nebraska teaching certificate with endorsement in the area of administration for education is required.
• Demonstrated evidence of proficiency in the OPS Principal Competencies.
• The vision and courage to ensure every student, regardless of background, can achieve college and career success.
• A demonstrated track record of increasing student achievement.
• Instructional expertise in K-12 education with proven ability to support, coach, and develop teachers to improve instructional practice.
• A record of success in leading adults and students.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Problem-solving and strategic thinking skills.

Nice To Haves

• A minimum of five years of successful teaching experience in an urban school district is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Achievement and Results : Leader articulates clear expectations and holds self and others accountable for achieving high results for all students. Demonstrates high expectations and an unyielding belief that all students can and will achieve at high levels. Holds self and others accountable for reaching high academic achievement of all students. Articulates a clear and compelling vision to prepare all students for college, career, and community leadership. Sets challenging goals, continuously monitors progress, and demonstrates persistence to overcome obstacles to achieve goals. Proactively develops and implements school improvement plans to accomplish student achievement goals. Helps teachers reach and engage each student based on individual needs and interests.
• Equity Leadership : Leader demonstrates awareness and conviction to address inequities and holds adults accountable for doing the same. Creates urgency and develops plans to close achievement gaps and prepare all students for college and career success. Addresses biases, engages in courageous conversations, and makes difficult decisions in the best interest of students. Supports teachers and staff to skillfully address race, culture, class, language acquisition and unique student learning needs to ensure all students achieve at high levels.
• Instructional Leadership : Leader helps all students master standards through data-driven instruction and staff evaluation and development. Promotes student mastery of standards by implementing rigorous instructional strategies and assessments aligned to curricula. Uses – and enables others to use – multiple forms of student achievement data to inform instruction and advance learning. Ensures that teachers check for student understanding and clarify, reteach, or adjust instruction. Partners with staff to provide students the appropriate scaffolds and interventions to meet their individual learning needs. Evaluates staff and teachers. Observes classrooms to support effective teaching practices that result in improved student achievement. Provides coaching and timely, targeted, actionable feedback to ensure growth in practice.
• Talent Management : Leader promotes professional learning, maximizes staff talent, and appropriately matches talent to student needs. Differentiates approach based on performance: recognizes and retains high performers, provides targeted support to mid-performers, and develops or exits low performers. Strategically selects and assigns staff to meet students’ unique needs. Provides targeted professional development and support based on observation and student data.
• School Culture : Leader creates a culture that promotes learning, collaboration, respect, and safety for all. Creates a positive, safe, respectful, and welcoming school culture that focuses on each student’s development. Promotes collaboration among students, families, staff, and the community. Shares leadership or delegates appropriately, leveraging individuals’ strengths and interests. Sets and maintains clear expectations for students that inform positive behavior management strategies. Engages families as integral partners in their children’s education.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills : Leader skillfully and appropriately engages diverse constituents to meet student needs. Actively listens, solicits input from diverse stakeholders, and seeks to understand and address others’ perspectives and needs. Effectively communicates with students, families, staff, and the community. Moves adults to take action and ownership. Manages change, gains buy-in, and overcomes resistance. Resolves conflict in a direct but constructive manner, seeking “win-win” solutions. Develops and navigates school and district relationships and understands implications of actions. Reflects, accurately assesses own strengths and growth areas, solicits candid feedback, and seeks ongoing growth opportunities.
• Problem Solving and Strategic Thinking : Leader assesses situations, defines action plans, and solves problems to accomplish goals. Collects, analyzes, and uses multiple forms of data to make informed decisions. Identifies problems, analyzes root causes, and develops effective solutions. Executes effectively: develops and implements action plans, anticipates risks, and adapts to changing circumstances.
• Operational Leadership : Leader develops school systems, procedures, and protocols to maximize instructional time and attain school goals. Prioritizes, aligns, and effectively manages people, time, and resources (e.g., budget, facilities, etc.) to improve student outcomes and attain school goals. Establishes clear systems and structures to maximize instructional time and student learning. Delegates and monitors school operations to ensure a safe learning environment and asks for support to resolve issues as appropriate.
• Additional Duties: Performs other related tasks as assigned by the Superintendent or designee.

What This Job Offers

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