Elementary Principal

JOB SUMMARY:

The school principal supervises teachers and education staff and keeps track of student performance. They ensure that school facilities remain safe for students and faculty and plan regular maintenance of school grounds and equipment. Principals also research and acquire new materials and resources to improve the experience of both students and teachers.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• State of Iowa Administrative License with Evaluator Approval
• Practicing Catholic in good standing who lives the Gospel values
• Demonstrates aptitude for successful fulfillment of assigned responsibilities
• Required Practicing Catholic 
• Enthusiastic supporter of Catholic faith and schools
• Strong organizational and leadership skills
• Professional oral and written communication skills
• Flexible, adaptive, and cooperative

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Catholic Dimension

• Gives priority to the Catholic dimension of the school
• Supports and fosters Catholic Christian uniqueness of the school
• Ensures faith-building, prayer, and spiritual education opportunities for staff, students, and stakeholders
• Uses Gospel values as the basis for decision-making
• Fosters and maintains Parish(es)/School Relationship
• Ensures Catholicity Minimum Expectations are met

Leadership

• Leads the school by consistently building high-performance teams, delegating responsibility, creating opportunities for professional development to foster individual growth in instructional practices, and implementing the school vision
• Develop and create effective integrated services throughout the full school day, such as supervision strategies, and extended day, such as health, educational, recreational, and social activities for students and parents
• Manage school resources and facilities effectively, use knowledge of policies and procedures to make sound decisions, and ensure the efficient operation of the school; proactively maintain an attractive, clean, safe, and inspiring physical space for learning
• Create and maintain a school environment that focuses on an atmosphere of caring and respect, emphasizes high academic expectations, and maintains discipline and order for all students
• Demonstrate visionary and innovative leadership by setting high expectations for students and staff, including the ability to motivate, build teams, and encourage and increase parent involvement
• Leads operational vitality efforts in the areas of financial management, enrollment, marketing, and development

Curriculum/Instruction and Assessment

• Coordinate with staff program offerings and assessments
• With staff, plan and select materials keeping with gospel values, current educational standards, and local and Archdiocesan guidelines
• Impact student outcomes by analyzing data to inform instruction that will enhance the school’s student achievement
• Collaboratively work with staff for the formation of the faith community, educational excellence, improvement of instruction and ongoing evaluation 
• Ensures the MTSS Minimum Expectations are met

Professional Relationship

• Maintain required trainings as required by the State of Iowa, Archdiocese, and local site
• Value the expertise of teachers, staff, and parents and use these resources to enhance the success of the school
• Be committed to ongoing personal and professional growth
• Participate in periodic evaluation conducted by the local school board 
• Engage in periodic review of professional growth

Parent/Public Relationship

• Work effectively with a broad range of students, faculty, parents, alumni, and community members, establishing strong ties and developing a sense of shared ownership among the school partners and stakeholders
• Motivate and support students, teachers, staff, and parents with compassion and fairness
• Work collaboratively and constructively with staff, students, families, and community stakeholders
• Collaborate with families and community members; respond to diverse community interests and needs, and use community resources
• Request and respond to parent and community feedback in a timely manner; be accessible to parents, staff, and community

Administrative Relationship

• Assist in creating a favorable working atmosphere for the entire campus that is conducive to optimum growth and learning
• Prepare administrative reports to the school board
• Prepare annual budget and submit for review
• Prepare required reporting to the Department of Education and the Archdiocese Catholic Schools Office
• Maintain proper records, files and documentation
• Communicate and interact directly with pastors on school-related matters
• Administer the safety and security procedures for the building, equipment, grounds and transportation
• Administer the policies of the local and Archdiocesan Catholic School Boards
• Assume other responsibilities relative to school matters

Staff Relationship

• Interview and recommend candidates to the board for employment
• Work to build leadership capacity and maximize performance through ongoing professional coaching conversations
• Foster an environment of care and compassion, recognizing the human and spiritual nature of each individual  
• Plan for professional development, training, and faculty meetings
• Be responsible for classroom observation of teaching staff and supervision of non-certified staff
• Conduct a continuous evaluation procedure for all building personnel in compliance with State and Archdiocesan guidelines
• Meet frequently with the faculty and parish personnel concerning the goals, objectives, and total educational program of the school

Student Relationship

• Maintain and communicate programs for evaluating student progress toward instructional outcomes
• Work with staff regarding student conduct and discipline
• Work with guidance personnel regarding student concerns
• Be available to students

These duties are not all-inclusive and other duties may be assigned.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, talk, reach, sit, hear, handle and perform repetitive motions of the hands/wrists.  Lifts and moves items up to 20 pounds. 

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described above are representative of the physical capabilities that must be met by an employee and the working conditions that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in a small office setting.  Employee may be required to attend evening meetings and do extensive close computer work.