Middle School Associate Principal

Welcome to Ames Community School District. More than just a workplace, we are a connected and caring community focused on growth, recognition, and support. As an employee at Ames CSD, you'll enjoy competitive pay and a variety of employee benefits. Beyond those benefits, you'll join an organization that values each individual's contributions and strives to create an environment where everyone feels they belong.

We are proud of our investment in modern, high-quality facilities, new and renovated spaces designed to help you thrive in your role. Over half (54%) of our certified staff hold advanced degrees, underscoring our strong emphasis on continued learning and career advancement. Become part of Ames CSD, where your work is appreciated, and your potential is encouraged in a welcoming and supportive setting.

Ames Middle School is seeking an Associate Principal for the 2026-2027 school year. This position is open due to internal leadership advancement, as the current Associate Principal has been promoted to an elementary principal role within the District. This is a reflection of our commitment to developing and supporting strong school leaders.

Summary
Under the direction of the Middle School Principal, the Ames Middle School Assistant Principal serves as an instructional leader and key administrator of the middle school. Areas of responsibility include assisting in administering assigned educational programs including supporting Special Education, Alternative Learning, and English Language learning programming and activities, student supports, planning, curriculum development, program evaluation, student activities, personnel management, resource scheduling, and school climate for the building. The Middle School Assistant Principal directly or indirectly supervises Ames Middle School certified and classified staff as assigned by the Middle School Principal.

Distinguishing Characteristics
This position requires demonstrated expertise in educational programs, curriculum, pedagogy, professional development, and culturally sustaining instructional strategies. This position also requires directly related leadership experiences to ensure success in a middle school leadership role.

This administrative experience includes the ability to lead collaboratively, support and promote the needs of every student, cultivate a student-centered approach leading to student engagement and success, and the ability to create and maintain an emotionally healthy and physically safe school culture. This position has supervisory responsibilities for planning, assigning, supporting, and evaluating the work of licensed and classified employees. This position requires strong communication and relationship building skills with both internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities/Essential Functions:

• Demonstrates ability to lead, encourage, motivate, and support all members of the school staff and community.
• Leads building programming to meet the needs of individual students, including students with IEPs and 504s.
• Communicates effectively and fosters collaboration with all stakeholder groups, including students, families, staff members, and members of the community.
• Establishes and promotes high standards and expectations for all students and staff.
• Provides instructional leadership focused on creating a shared vision for a safe and welcoming school climate and culture.
• Serves as an instructional leader demonstrating collaborative leadership skills, making tough decisions, and leading a cohesive team.
• Plans, designs, and conducts follow-through strategies for teaching and learning designed to meet the differentiated and individualized needs of students and the educational community.
• Leads inclusive decision-making processes to ensure the development of a comprehensive school improvement plan with annual student achievement targets supported by parents, staff, and community members.
• Oversees the school's performance evaluation systems to ensure that site goals and objectives are achieved and that all staff adhere to district, state, and federal standards and goals.
• Exhibits interest and ability to support the work of creating and supporting innovative programming.
• Ensures that instructional programs engage learners in tasks that require analytical and critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity; addresses the range of skills and developmental needs found in the classroom; encourages students to define individual goals and accepts responsibilities for learning; and provides a variety of methods for students to demonstrate performance and achievement.
• Works collaboratively with the administrators, instructional coaches, and teacher leaders to deliver professional development that promotes a focus on student learning consistent with the District vision, mission, goals, and the building's School Improvement Plan.
• Uses data to guide data teams to plan, develop, organize, and administer multi-tiered support systems that provide optimal educational opportunities for adolescent-age students with the ability to meet individual student needs.
• Empowers students, staff, and parents to articulate and implement their goals and ideas.
• Develops, implements, and oversees budget planning and financial procedures in accordance with all laws, regulations, and policies.
• Manages a safe and well-maintained facility, identifying needs and recommending additions, modifications, and services.
• Establishes and fosters a school culture that supports the PLC framework and emphasizes collaboration and the collective review of student performance data to guide instruction.
• Facilitates a safe and purposeful learning environment by addressing student behavior, utilizing due process and restorative justice techniques in collaboration with the grade level behavior team including Counselors and Student Attendance and Behavior Leads.
• Assists in the development, implementation, interpretation, and administration of policies, rules, regulations, and negotiated employee agreements as well as ensures compliance with all laws, administrative codes, board policies, and regulations.
• Establishes and maintains procedures for the resolution of conflict in an effort to maintain a high level of staff morale.
• Plans, develops, and provides management reports pertaining to the educational climate and the functions and activities of the school as required.

Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Education or related field and a valid Iowa Administrative License and Iowa Evaluator's license (or the ability to immediately obtain a license by the date of hire).
• Have a minimum of five (5) years of experience in teaching and working with adults and adolescents.
• Have at least three (3) years of leadership experience, preferrably in a non-classroom based role such as an instructional coach, principal, associate principal, or central office administrator.
• Experience leading programming for students with IEPs or 504s is preferred but not required.

The successful candidate will exhibit:

• Commitment to educational equity and excellence for all students.
• A keen understanding of the Learning Supports Team to develop and implement a tiered system of supports (MTSS). Participates in IEP and 504 meetings.
• Excellent ability to be a strong instructional leader and to develop culturally sustaining instructional and curricular initiatives.
• Unwavering evidence of strong integrity, good moral character, and initiative.
• A positive role model for students, demonstrates the importance and relevance of learning, accepts responsibility, and demonstrates pride in the educational profession.
• Consistent usage of highly effective communication skills.
• Evidence of being flexible, innovative, creative, straight-forward, fair, and equitable.
• Strong organizational skills and demonstrates ability to follow-through with tasks, plans and promises.
• Administration experience should include a record of effective educational leadership, demonstrated commitment to a positive learning environment, excellent communication skills, and a strong commitment to educational equity.
• Consistent and punctual basis work attendance.

Required Application Materials:

• Resume
• Letter of Introduction

Compensation: Pay commensurate with education and experience.

Benefits:

• Health/Dental/Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off-holidays (11), vacation (24), sick leave (12 days the first year), emergency leave (5)
• IPERS Retirement

Choosing the Ames Community School District isn't just about a job. It's about becoming part of a vibrant and close-knit community, nestled in the heart of Iowa. With its small-town charm and big-city amenities, Ames offers a unique blend of contentment and excitement. As a college town, opportunities to engage and get involved abound, whether it's through cultural events, educational pursuits, or community initiatives. At Ames, you're not just joining a workplace; you're becoming a valued member of a community driven by communication, collaboration, and a shared commitment to excellence. Come be a part of the Ames CSD, where both your professional and personal aspirations can thrive.

Candidates, please follow the link to apply online: https://www.applitrack.com/amesk12/OnlineApp/JobPostings/View.asp?AppliTrackJobId=1678
All employees of the Ames Community School District must pass a background check. ACSD is an E-Verify employer.

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