Principal Fellow

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

• Receive individualized feedback formally and informally throughout the Fellowship during time in schools, professional development, and cross-regional Fellow cohort gatherings from the Host Principal, Regional Superintendent of Instruction, and Senior Director of School Support.
• Integrate fully into the day-to-day activities of an Uncommon school, gaining exposure to situations faced as a school leader and managing the complexity of scenarios that occur at a school.
• Work with the Host Principal and Senior Director of School Support to plan mastery of skills and competencies needed to lead a high-performing school, including Instructional Leadership, Teacher Development, School Culture, and Family Engagement.
• Seek and plan opportunities throughout the Fellowship to demonstrate leadership presence and readiness to lead while being fully immersed within a school.
• Attend monthly, cross-regional professional development with Principals to learn instructional leadership and people management best practices.
• Attend cohort-specific professional development workshops for practice and direct application within school immersion, with opportunities to learn from peers.

Qualifications

• Passionate commitment to the mission of Uncommon Schools and investment in being an anti-racist organization.
• 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 the 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 the 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).
• Experience teaching core subjects (e.g., Math, ELA, Science, History) is preferred.
• A Bachelor’s degree.

Pay

Compensation for this role is between $113,000 and $119,900. Most candidates who meet job description requirements will receive an offer of $113,000. Starting pay is determined using various factors including but not limited to relevant professional development, education certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools.

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 savings 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.