Principal, Givens Elementary School

GIVENS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

Rooted in the rich history of the North Webster community, Givens Elementary seeks a student-centered leader who will build on its proud legacy while guiding the school into the future. The next principal will cultivate a culture of belonging, where students and staff feel seen, valued, and supported. This leader brings empathy, authenticity, and a commitment to collaboration and innovation that ensures every child thrives.

DR. HENRY GIVENS, JR. ELEMENTARY VIDEO

Reports to:  Superintendent

Characteristics:

• A creative thinker and problem-solver who believes in a decentralized approach to decision-making and is highly skilled at implementing such processes.
• A respected and trusted communicator.  A relationship builder who demonstrates a high level of emotional intelligence by gaining trust and engendering respect through collaborative interactions with students, staff, parents, and community members.
• A thoughtful and dedicated leader who seeks to work with the school and district communities to systemically move toward the schools’ and organization’s vision in an increasingly changing world by nurturing organizational agility. 

Major Areas of Accountability:

• Demonstrates an unwavering commitment to equity, inclusion, and social justice in all aspects of the school’s environment and culture;
• Builds authentic relationships with students, staff, and families to create a sense of belonging and shared purpose;
• Co-designs and implements a strategic process designed to promote learning opportunities for children, which align with the district’s purpose and principles;
• Leads the school community through change with empathy, clarity, and a steady focus on improvement;
• Serves as an instructional leader who supports high-quality teaching, learning, and professional growth;
• Fosters a culture of collaboration and trust, where staff voice and expertise are valued;
• Works to create and maintain a culture of inclusion for all families and community members; 
• Utilizes a comprehensive communication plan which responds to the needs of stakeholders, reflects the most current communication tools, and promotes engagement with stakeholders both inside and outside the schools;
• Strengthens family and community partnerships, including collaboration with the Parent Teacher Organization;
• Creates and sustains a culture in which staff are continually learning from students, colleagues, external resources, and community resources;
• Encourages innovation, creativity, and continuous learning for staff and students alike;
• Utilizes data and information to ensure that the unique learning needs of children are being monitored and attended to;
• Creates a culture in which new and fresh approaches are openly shared and tried, where staff and students can learn from failures and successes.
• Communicates proactively and transparently using effective, inclusive tools and strategies;
• Leads with authenticity, optimism, and care—creating a school where students are happy, confident, and engaged learners;
• Demonstrates a commitment to change and the necessary skill set to help lead students, staff, and families through the change process in an empathetic manner;
• Recruits, hires, and develops staff who share the school’s and district’s vision and values;
• Ensures operational excellence through strong organizational and management skills.

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree, Ed.D., and/or Ph.D. in school administration
• Experience as a building-level administrator
• Minimum 5 years of teaching experience
• Meet state certification requirements

Application Requirements:

1. Complete a WGSD application online.
2. Describe your philosophy of equity in education in 250 words or less.

WEBSTER GROVES SCHOOL DISTRICT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER & E-VERIFY PARTICIPANT

WGSD District Code of Conduct