Principal - Early Learning Center [SY26-27]

Overview of the Malden Public Schools

The Malden Public Schools (MPS) is a richly diverse school district located within the Greater Boston area and accessible by the MBTA orange line train. Malden's student body comprises approximately 6,500 students who represent 59 different countries and speak 67 different languages. We have one early learning center, five K-8 schools, and one high school. We are committed to providing high expectations for all learners through rigorous instruction and culturally responsive practices and pedagogy. MPS is a safe, welcoming, and collaborative district where we encourage and embrace a growth mindset. We believe that our diversity is an asset, and we are seeking candidates that reflect, embrace, and contribute to the strengths of our community.

Principal of the Early Learning Center

The Principal serves as the educational leader and is responsible for fostering a positive learning environment, managing staff, and ensuring compliance with regulations. The principal also plays a vital role in overseeing student development, coordinating school activities, and engaging with the community.

Early Learning Center

Malden's Early Learning Center (ELC) has been a pioneer in early education for the children of Malden for over 20 years, providing children from diverse backgrounds ages 3-5 years old with a robust educational experience. Using the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) preschool standards as a foundation for success, the staff works to develop our students' academic, social, and emotional skills. The ELC strives to ensure the time students spend at school is fun, engaging, and full of a variety of learning opportunities. The staff actively fosters an environment where play is essential to academic and social learning. Staff create a supportive and structured environment to help students develop their independence through play. The ELC has an indoor play space, gym, and a state-of-the-art outdoor playground.

The ELC serves over 250 preschool students annually, offering a range of programs from inclusion to intensive learning, all guided by a team of dedicated teachers and paraprofessionals who work closely to foster a dynamic, language-rich environment. The ELC staff prioritizes family engagement, taking a collaborative approach to ensure every child's needs are met. Strong partnerships between teachers and parents are maintained through parent-teacher conferences, messages, phone calls, and emails, keeping families informed about their child's progress. Beyond the classroom, families actively contribute to the school community by volunteering as mystery readers, participating in the ELC Parent-Teacher Organization, and joining the school council. All families are welcomed and encouraged to be part of the ELC experience. The ELC is proud to serve a diverse community, remaining committed to honoring and celebrating the uniqueness of every student and family.

Responsibilities

Instructional Leadership

• Provide instructional leadership to staff including curriculum planning, review and implementation, and professional development
• Establish, adjust, and oversee preschool programs so that they address and meet the needs of students with and without disabilities
• Execute supervisory responsibilities - i.e., interviewing, hiring and ensuring the training of ELC teachers, paraprofessionals, and specialists; evaluating the performances of teachers, paraprofessionals, specialists at the ELC
  
  

School Operations

• Oversee day-to-day building administration and safety/welfare of students and staff
• Develop school schedule and oversee/coordinate scheduling process
• Manage and evaluate all non-instructional building staff (custodians, administrative assistants)
• Enforce school/district policies
• Collaborate with central office administration to establish and monitor budget (including relevant grant funds) and ensure the proper collection of tuition
• Establish priorities for the purchase of educational materials to meet the needs of students and teachers with allowable funds
  
  

Compliance

• Oversee, coordinate, and complete NAEYC accreditation activities and processes for all five K-8 schools' kindergarten programs, including annual reports, intents to renew, self study, applications for certification, and program portfolios for visitations
• Work with staff to complete EEC's Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) in order to obtain Level III
• Coordinate data collection for DESE's monitoring process (specifically Indicator 7A- Preschool Outcomes for Students with IEPs) as well as any other information required to be collected.
  
  

Student Management

• Work collaboratively with early intervention programs to evaluate referred children, determine eligibility, and if eligible, have a program in place by their third birthday
• Collaborate with K-8 principals and staff to facilitate successful transitions for preschool students matriculating to kindergarten
  
  

Community Engagement

• Collaborate with community agencies and early childhood stakeholders to coordinate community activities and involvement
• Collaborate with central office administration to develop and oversee early childhood grants - EC SPED Allocation, Inclusive Preschool, Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE), and any additional RFPs from the Department of Early Education and Care and DESE including CPPI grant
• Oversee the Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Network and its community activities (e.g., parent training, play groups, etc.)
  
  

Member of District's Executive Leadership Team

• Collaborate in developing and implementing the district strategic plan
• Participate in regular principal and district leadership meetings
• Assist in presenting reports before the Malden School Committee as needed
• Other duties as assigned by Superintendent of Schools
  
  

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have…

• Massachusetts DESE licensure as a Principal/Assistant Principal with an SEI Endorsement (Admin);
• Massachusetts DESE licensure as an Administrator of Special Education
• Master's degree or higher in educational administration or related field;
• Prior experience in administration including staff evaluation/supervision and program development
• Experience as a preschool educator;
• Strong understanding of early childhood issues and topics including: NAEYC accreditation process, special education regulations, Early Intervention and Coordinated Family and Community Engagement;
• Experience in a diverse urban community;
• Strong background in instructional support and supervision;
• High expectations for all students and staff members;
• Experience with grant writing and management;
• Experience working as a member of a school team responsible for the organization and operation of the school's instructional and student support/discipline programs;
• Deep commitment to promoting and advocating for the educational opportunities for all students, regardless of program or background;
• Experience with a range of services including Multilingual Learners and students with disabilities, and the development of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support;
• Excellent organizational and management skills;
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills;
• Deep commitment to building a collaborative learning community among the school's administrators, teachers, and staff;
• Demonstrated ability to perform the responsibilities above as evidenced by course work, educational experience, school-level involvement and/or system-wide professional activities, and the interview process.
  
  

To Apply: Submit letter of interest highlighting qualifications for the position via School Spring. Include 3 professional references.

Reports To: Superintendent of Schools

Terms of Employment: Twelve-month work year. Salary commensurate with experience.

Evaluation: Performance-based evaluation and compensation in accordance with School Committee policy.