PK-12 PRINCIPAL Grand Rapids Montessori Calendar: 52 Weeks Earning Days: 212 Salary Range: $73,896 - $86,977 GRPS Mission: Our mission is to ensure that all students are educated, self-directed and productive members of society. Human Resources Department Mission: Human Resources, in support of the District s mission, will recruit, grow and retain talented and diverse employees in partnership with our customers. JOB SUMMARY The Pk-12 School Principal serves as the visionary school leader: Facilitating all phases of the school including the leadership and organization of the instruction program. Ensuring students academic and socio-emotional success Administration of the school and supervision of staff, personnel and students Helping teachers and students to be successful. Creating and fostering positive relationships between teachers, students and parents. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Essential functions under the Americans with Disabilities Act may include any of the following duties, knowledge and skills. This list is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by employees in this position. Regular attendance is an essential function of this job. Other essential functions may include, but are not limited to the following: INSTRUCTIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS Coordinate and implement the instructional program of the Grand Rapids Public Schools ensuring an education for all students that is multicultural, gender fair and anti-bias. Work with the instructional leadership team to develop a clear plan for continuous school improvement that is consistent with the District s mission and belief statements as outlined in the Academic Plan and strategic plan. Implement the District s evaluation process including the District rubric for highly effective teaching and learning to ensure frequent, quality feedback for all instructional staff including Individual Development Plans as needed. Demonstrate proficiency in and provide leadership, time, and space for the following structures that support teaching and learning: Frequent, continuous, quality observing and conferring with teachers. Collegial Learning Walks or Instructional Rounds aligned to professional development to ensure that all elements of the rigorous and relevant curriculum and instructional model are implemented in an environment where all students
experience success. Professional Learning Communities (PLC s). Data Reviews/Governance Board Process. District Level Professional Development and Goal Setting. Student Success Teams/Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Teams Processes that provide for incremental, continuous improvement. Design and implement strategies connected to Positive Behavior Intervention Support that provide a safe and orderly school environment in a climate of high expectations for self, staff, students and parents. Engage staff in regular analysis of and response to relevant data to improve individual student achievement. Facilitate the development and implementation of the District s Instructional model. Review teacher plans/performance to ensure that all elements of the curriculum are taught in an environment where all students experience success. Actively Participate and lead the Montessori Advisory Council. Establish and maintain a cooperative working relationship with the community including existing and/or future collaborative partnerships. Interpret the school program and involve community on a regular basis. Assume responsibility for a performance management system for self and staff. Ensure access to the general education setting to students with individualized education programs (IEPs) and participate in IEP meetings. Participate in professional development/in-service programs to enhance professional or personal skills of staff and self who promote continuous quality improvement and lifelong learning. Actively participate in creating a professional learning community, and in implementing the schools multi-faceted vision of teaching and learning for the 21 st century. Interact with co-workers, administration, students and parents in positive, supportive and cooperative ways. Understand the educational implications for students with disabilities including emotional impairments and appropriate positive behavior support plans. Consider and implement alternatives to out-of-school suspensions. JOB FUNCTIONS Understand District policies, rules and procedures and ensure that they are implemented. Prepare budget and administer expenditure records as outlined in the District s shared decision-making model. Facilitate the operation, maintenance and use of the school building and grounds ensuring that the internal and external facility is clean and well maintained. Procure and provide for effective use of instructional materials, equipment and supplies. Coordinate the unique needs of students and human services agencies through inter-age collaboration. Attend regional and national Montessori conferences, as assigned.
Serve as a liaison with the National Montessori Professional Organizations. Plan and coordinate extra-curricular activities for students. Ensure that parents are provided timely relevant information about their student and the school s programs and operations and are actively engaged. Provide for two-way communication between parents, community and school and ensure that the District s customer service expectations are met. Provide opportunities for parent and community engagement in the school. Provide for the supervision of students during non-instructional hours (before school, lunch and after school, bus loading and unloading). Maintain an up-to-date inventory of equipment, books, and supplies. Understand special education laws, rules and procedures regarding the implementation of IEPs, instructional accommodations, behavioral assessments, discipline, and suspension, particularly the requirement that positive behavior support plans be developed, implemented, and revised when needed. Provide leadership in creating an environment where responsible leadership can be taught and applied. Direct, oversee and evaluate teachers and staff effectiveness in terms of their performance responsibilities and productivity in achieving the district s priorities and results. Work with teachers and staff in his/her school to identify expertise and support services necessary for assistance in meeting their identified needs. Plan, organize, staff, implement and evaluate school programs and functions necessary to support effective teaching and quality learning utilizing district expertise and assistance when the need is identified and requested. Be visible in, and engage the school community and be recognized as the educational leader responsible for effective teaching, student learning and a safe, healthy environment. Recruit and retain students from the community. Perform other relevant duties and responsibilities assigned. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Master s degree in administration, supervision or education preferred. Have a valid Michigan School Administrator certificate or have the ability to enroll in a program leading to the required certification within six months of employment with the ability to complete the program within 3 years. Have at least five years of successful teaching experience at the elementary and/or secondary level and/or administration experience. Knowledge of Montessori programming strategies and beliefs. Montessori Certification is preferred. Prior administrative experience preferred. Demonstrated strong dedication and related skills/knowledge for child-centered teaching and learning which builds student, family and community connections. Demonstrated professional and personal expertise in best practices and research in reading and writing instruction, brain-based teaching and learning and effort based education.
Knowledge or experience with the Principles of Learning, Balanced Literacy reading framework, and Disciplinary Literacy or willingness to learn or participate in training to learn the framework if not currently knowledgeable or experienced. Demonstrated leadership skills in effective problem solving, human relations, interpersonal communication skills, fiscal responsibility, and bringing staff, students and community together to achieve a shared mission. Demonstrated strong dedication and related skills/knowledge for child-centered teaching and learning which builds student, family and community connections. Demonstrated ability to work in an economically, culturally and racially diverse environment. Demonstrated ability and desire in managing diversity by creating an environment for all in the school community regardless of differences and similarities, to reach their full potential in accomplishing the objectives of the school and the District. Demonstrated administrative ability and experience in collaborative skills and attitudes to work with others in teams, effective interpersonal communication skills, creativity, optimism, problem solving and flexibility. Must meet the continuing education requirement per the State of Michigan. ADA Requirements: The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus. WORK ENVIRONMENT: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. MENTAL FUNCTIONS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to compare, analyze, communicate, copy, coordinate, instruct, compute, synthesize, evaluate, use interpersonal skills, compile and negotiate.
This description is intended to describe the type and level of work performed by a person assigned to this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required to be performed in the position. METHOD OF APPLICATION: A letter of interest and resume must accompany the electronic application for full consideration. A complete job description and electronic application can be accessed on the district website at www.grps.org. No paper applications/resumes will be accepted. No telephone calls please.