JOB TITLE:  Elementary School Principal

LOCATION:  Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School

SUPERVISOR:  Superintendent or Designee

SUPERVISES:  Building Staff

JOB SUMMARY: The Elementary School Principal provides transformational educational leadership with focus on equity to promote educational development for all students and professional development of each staff member. This includes implementing a continuous improvement model which focuses on high student achievement; building a positive school climate that supports the whole student; leveraging research and data to drive initiatives and instruction, and building a high-performing staff and school improvement team to achieve the school’s vision and goals. He/she will have outstanding skills in student and family engagement, leadership for equity, professional development, and community partnerships. The Elementary School Principal will have a full understanding of equity oriented leadership, restorative practices, PBIS, Common Core, student assessment, balanced literacy, the Danielson Framework, and PERA.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.

• Lead the school’s vision, mission, and strategic goals to support college and career readiness for academic and socioemotional success for all students.
• Drive rapid and dramatic instructional improvements by implementing strategies in line with the priority areas identified in the District Goals.
• Support and supervise the design of rigorous, standards-based instruction with measurable outcomes.
• Demonstrate strong leadership skills in supporting high student outcomes and educational excellence.
• Implement continuous improvement plan that ensures improvement in teaching and learning.
• Analyze student assessment data frequently to monitor each student’s academic progress and identify areas of need and inform school improvement efforts tailoring instruction to meet the needs of all learners.
• Foster a collegial environment that supports teacher leadership, collaboration, and growth.
• Demonstrate a strong knowledge of special education programming and supports and ensure services are implemented with fidelity.
• Serve as Local Education Agency representative for Individualized Education Program meetings.
• Develop and implement a professional development plan to address identified areas of need.
• Articulate a clear vision for the needs of students and the school, with a focus on student outcomes through a lens of racial equity.
• Demonstrate effective, educationally sound discipline in dealing with disruptive students.
• Demonstrate exceptional communication skills that will support school and district goals and fosters positive relationships throughout the school community.
• Demonstrate knowledge and effective use of technology in instruction, management, and communication.
• Create and maintain an environment where teachers, support staff, and students may achieve mutual understanding, high sense of morale and best working conditions.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to diverse values and cultures within the school community.
• Evaluate the performance of all staff members assigned to the school in accordance with the district evaluation plan and PERA.
• Manage data in accordance with all privacy acts and district policy.
• Project future needs of school and involves staff in establishing long-term and short-term goals for the school.
• Provide input into the district building budget process to assure adequate funding for the school program. Prepares the school budget within established limits and apportions that budget to various school programs. Monitors and supervises all expenditures.
• Collaborate with the other elementary principals and district administrators to further the cause of elementary education and to promote district-wide activities.
• Establish and maintain good relationships with school stakeholders, parents, and community members to bring together school and community.
• Understanding of or experience teaching of second language acquisition and learning. 
• Knowledge of English as a Second Language (ESL) strategies.
• Work in collaboration with district administrators to promote the continuity of the instructional programs.
• Take all precautions to safeguard safety, health, well-being of students and staff members, including formation of plans to meet emergencies.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's Degree, from an accredited college or university, with training in administration, supervision and curriculum development at the elementary or middle school level
• Five years of successful teaching experience, preferably at the elementary or middle school level
• Three years of successful administrative or teacher leadership experience at the elementary or middle school level
• Demonstrated experience in building an inclusive and equity oriented school culture
• Illinois Licensure with Administrative Endorsement
• Must possess, or be able to obtain, the Teacher and Principal Evaluator designations from ISBE to allow for evaluation of licensed teachers and assistant principals. 
• ESL and/or Bilingual endorsement preferred

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:  

• An administrative leadership style based on positive relationships and a continuous improvement model
• Brings strong and collaborative leadership with an honest, transparent, and inclusive style
• Experience in the supervision and evaluation of staff and proven leadership in the areas of curriculum, student achievement, assessments, and the development of positive school climate
• Inspires excellence in others
• Vision, compassion, and enthusiasm for effective team leadership to motivate high standards and continuous improvement
• Knowledge of best practices in curriculum and instruction at the elementary level

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:  Generally the job requires sitting, walking, standing, and light physical assertion.  Occasionally the job requires the ability to physically intervene with students.  

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:  Salary is determined by the Superintendent. This position has an eleven month calendar year.

EVALUATION:  Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board’s policy on evaluation of professional personnel and the State Board of Education under PERA.  

START DATE: 2025-2026 School Year

NOTE: This is not a position within the collective bargaining unit and is an administrative position.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

REVISED:  January 2020