Overview

Company Description

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing, public charter schools providing an outstanding K-12 education in historically under-resourced communities. We have proudly built schools that reflect our student population, with more than 60% of our teachers and staff across our network identifying as a person of color. Uncommon currently manages 54 schools serving more than 20,000 students in five cities: Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark and Rochester. We are proud that Uncommon graduates persist in and graduate from college at five times the rate of their peers nationally. We achieve this by offering strong academic, co-curricular, and social-emotional learning that prepares students for success in college and beyond. 

Job Description

The Uncommon Schools Principal Fellowship was created to strategically identify, develop, and train rising leaders. As we continue to grow and maintain the highest standards for all of our schools, it is critical to prepare our future leaders in an environment immersed in the successful practices of our current schools and the thoughtful leadership of our Principal leaders.

The Principal Fellowship provides a robust development process to prepare leaders to lead a school in conjunction with the Director of Operations. This Principal Fellow and eventual Principal is a full-time employee, hired, supported, and evaluated by the Assistant Superintendent 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:

Feedback and Assessment 

Feedback, especially individualized feedback, is the main tool that will support the Principal Fellow’s growth as a leader. It is the main reason our schools go from good to great. Principal Fellows will receive feedback formally and informally throughout the year. Informal feedback will be given throughout the Principal Fellow’s time in schools, PD, and in cohort gatherings. This will include feedback from the Principal Fellow’s Host Principal, Assistant Superintendent, the Senior Executive Director of School Support. 

School Immersion 

By integrating fully in the day-to-day activities of an Uncommon school, Principal Fellows will 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. Principal Fellows will work with their Host Principal and Senior Executive Director of School Support at the beginning and throughout their Fellowship to plan how they will master the competencies needed to lead a high-performing school. Principal Fellows should be “in the driver’s seat” of their learning and should feel empowered to take advantage of all opportunities to build their leadership. The Principal Fellow must seek and plan for opportunities throughout their Fellowship to demonstrate a leadership presence and full school Immersion into the following activities.

Professional Development

All Principal Fellows will join our Principals in monthly, cross-regional professional development. This is an amazing opportunity to learn alongside your Principals and cohort members to learn the most up-to-date best practices and develop your leadership capabilities. 

In addition, all 1-year and 2-year Principal Fellows will attend a series of professional development workshops. These sessions will be more intimate and allow for more “at bats”, practice, and direct application to your school immersion. In years past, Principal Fellows have found these sessions to be most effective when they are able to immediately practice their learnings in their host school. These cohort sessions will provide opportunities for Principal Fellows to look to one another for professional and personal support. 

Qualifications

  • Passionate commitment to the mission of Uncommon Schools and investment in our vision for being an anti-racist organization;
  • Passionate commitment to expand knowledge, skills, and opportunities for students both in and out of school;
  • Passionate commitment to building culturally responsive learning partnerships with students, teachers and families;
  • Strong data analysis skills;
  • Interest in and passion for supporting teacher growth; 
  • Ability to provide high leverage feedback via classroom observations;
  • Demonstrates tenacity, personal responsibility, and a commitment to continual professional growth;
  • Strong communications skills with multiple stakeholders including teachers, students, families, and colleagues;
  • Strong organizational skills, careful attention to detail and follow-through;
  • Required experience:
  • At least 3 years of teaching experience;
  • At least 1 year of experience coaching or leading teachers (e.g., grade level chair, content/department chair, Assistant Principal, Dean of Curriculum, etc.);
  • Evidence of outstanding student growth and achievement;
  • A Bachelor’s degree.
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