Assistant Principal Middle School

Job Description: JH Assistant Principal KISD

Job Title: Assistant Principal Exemption

Status/Test: Exempt/Administrator

Reports to: Principal Date

Revised: 4/2026

Dept./School: Keene Junior High

Primary Purpose Direct and manage assigned areas of the instructional program and campus operations to ensure every Keene Junior High student is an empowered agent of their own leadership and learning. We are looking for a leader who breathes life into our campus—someone who leads with infectious joy, a sharp sense of humor, and an unwavering, fierce commitment to kids. You will oversee student services and activities not just as a manager, but as a champion for our school's unique vision. You will be a part of an amazing leadership team at Keene ISD who loves kids and works hard to IGNITE our students for global competitiveness through our Keene 22 and House System. Districts from all around Texas come to see the work that we are doing and you will be a big part of growing our campus to continued excellence.

Qualifications

● Education/Certification:

○ Master’s degree from an accredited university. ○ Texas principal or other appropriate Texas certificate.

○ Certified Texas Teacher Support and Evaluation System (T-TESS) appraiser.

● Experience:

○ Three years of experience as a classroom teacher.

Special Knowledge/Skills

● The Keene 22: You don’t just know them; you model and mentor them daily.

● Middle School Heart: You don't just "tolerate" the middle school years—you love this work and genuinely embrace middle school kids, who are a wonderfully unique bunch.

● De-escalation: You have the grace and calm to de-escalate complex parent or student situations with empathy and poise.

● Fair & Firm: You are rock-solid and consistent with disciplinary actions, ensuring equity and clarity for all.

● Work Ethic: You have an elite work ethic, but you know how to HAVE FUN while doing all of this. If you can't find the lighthearted moments in the chaos, this isn't the place for you.

● Operations and Instruction: Knowledge of campus operations and a working knowledge of curriculum and instruction.

● Strategic Mind: Ability to evaluate instructional programs and interpret data to drive excellence.

● Communication: Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.

● Systems Minded: Work with and build systems for long term success. Major Responsibilities and Duties Instructional Management

● Encourage and support development of innovative instructional programs, helping teachers pilot such efforts when appropriate

● Participate in program evaluation measures and make suggestions for improvement where needed. ● Reinforce expectations for staff performance regarding instructional strategies and classroom management.

● Foster collegiality and team building among staff members, encouraging their active involvement in decision-making. Student Management

● Campus behavior coordinator in accordance with state laws and regulations.

● Work with faculty and students to develop a student discipline management system that results in positive student behavior.

● Ensure school rules are uniformly applied and that discipline is appropriate and equitable.

● Conduct conferences about student and school issues with parents, students, and teachers.

● Ensure students are adequately supervised during non-instructional periods. Student Scheduling

● Serve as the campus architect for the master schedule, utilizing Skyward to build a student-centered framework that prioritizes learning.

● Expertly manage student course requests, sections, and teacher assignments within the Skyward system to ensure a seamless start to the school year.

● Troubleshoot scheduling conflicts with a "puzzle-solver" mindset, ensuring every student has access to the classes they need to grow.

● Maintain data integrity within Skyward, performing regular audits of student schedules and class sizes to support campus efficiency School/Organizational Improvement

● Take a leadership role in planning activities and implementing programs to ensure attainment of the school’s mission.

● Participate in development of campus improvement plans with staff, parents, and community members.

● Help principals develop and use information systems to track progress on performance objectives and academic excellence indicators. Administration and Fiscal/Facilities Management

● Oversee campus operations in the principal's absence.

● Lead the planning and scheduling of daily school activities, including class schedules and teacher assignments.

● Oversee reporting and monitoring of student attendance and address identified issues.

● Coordinate operational support services like transportation, custodial, and cafeteria to meet campus needs.

● Comply with district policies, state and federal laws, and regulations affecting schools. Personnel Management

● Observe employee performance, record observations, and conduct evaluation conferences.

● Assist principal in interviewing, selecting, and orienting new staff. Supervisory Responsibilities

● Supervise and evaluate the work of professional staff as assigned by the school principal.

● Direct the work of teachers, custodians, paraprofessionals, and administrative assistants. Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors

● Posture: Frequent sitting and standing; occasional bending, stooping, and twisting.

● Motion: Repetitive hand motions; frequent keyboarding.

● Lifting: Occasional light lifting (less than 15 pounds); occasional physical restraint of students to control behavior.

● Environment: May work prolonged or irregular hours; work inside and outside with exposure to sun, heat, and cold.

● Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress.

● Middle School Reality Demands:

○ Ability to hear the number "6" or "7" repeated multiple times a day and maintain a professional (or at least amused) demeanor.

○ Mental stamina to explain the same concept 14 different ways in a single afternoon.

○ A high tolerance for "trending" dances, questionable fashion choices, and the general chaos of middle school hormones.

○ The capacity to pivot from a serious disciplinary meeting to a high-five in the hallway within 30 seconds.

○ Remaining unshakeable in the face of "middle school drama" while keeping the focus on learning and leadership

This document describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned.