Job Description:
The Windham Public Schools seeks a dynamic, student-centered, and mission-aligned leader that shares in our District vision and values to serve as Principal of Windham Public Schools.
The Principal serves as the school's instructional, transformational, and operational leader, and is responsible for fostering an equitable, safe, and high-achieving environment for a culturally and linguistically diverse student body within a small urban community. The Principal builds a collaborative school culture focused on continuous improvement, a positive climate, and the growth and well-being of every student and staff member. This role bridges district-wide academic goals with the unique social-emotional needs of early adolescents, requiring active engagement with families and the community.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Instructional Leadership
- Serves as the primary instructional leader through classroom observations, facilitation of professional learning, implementation of Data Teams and Professional Learning Communities.
- Drives academic excellence through culturally responsive and contemporary pedagogy.
- Leads all building level programming, including Dual Language and Special Education programs in collaboration with Department Directors, ensuring fidelity of implementation and equitable access to rigorous learning opportunities for all students.
- Supports MTSS and Special Education processes to ensure an inclusive, challenging, and equitable experience for all students.
- Evaluates and supports faculty performance with a continuous improvement, growth-oriented mindset.
- Mentors, evaluates, and supports the professional growth of assistant principals.
School Climate & Community Engagement
- Establishes a sense of community and belonging through a student-centered approach.
- Cultivates inclusive environments honoring the community's rich diversity.
- Implements and promotes restorative practices as a framework for addressing student behavior, repairing harm, minimizing exclusionary measures, and strengthening relationships within the school.
- Partners with families and the broader Windham community.
- Implements intervention systems to combat chronic absenteeism issues.
- Leads strategic improvement efforts that address school climate and social emotional learning.
Operations & Administration
- Supervises all building operations including, but not limited to scheduling, budgeting, and safety.
- Develops and manages the master schedule, daily schedules of staff and students, and duties schedule.
- Builds and monitors a school budget that is fiscally responsible, prioritizes student needs, and represents the value system of the community.
- Ensures conditions that protect the health, safety, and welfare of all students and staff, including the development of building safety procedures.
- Ensures legal compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Communicates effectively, preferably in English and Spanish.
- Possesses extensive knowledge of Dual Language instruction.
- Demonstrates cultural competency.
- Demonstrates strong background in middle level education and the needs of adolescent learners.
- Thrives in a fast-paced, change-oriented environment.
- Demonstrates strong pedagogical understanding and the ability to coach adult learners.
- Maintains current knowledge of research-based practices.
Education, Experience, and Certification/Licensure
- Education: Minimum Master's degree in educational leadership or related field.
- Experience: Minimum 5 years of teaching experience, preferably at the middle school level, and at least 3 years of school leadership experience.
- Experience: Demonstrated success working within culturally and linguistically diverse, urban school environments.
- Certification: Valid Connecticut Intermediate Administration and Supervision Certificate (#092).
WINDHAM IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
It is the policy of the Windham Public Schools to ensure equal employment opportunity to every person regardless of race, color, religion, creed, age, marital status, national origin, gender; gender identity or expression, sexual preference or physical and mental disability; and to ensure equal educational opportunity for all students and to prohibit unlawful discrimination because of race, color, religion, creed, age, marital status, national origin, gender, sexual preference, or physical and mental disability in the school districts educational program and activities.