ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL

Join Ames Community School District, where your journey matters! ACSD promotes an educational environment that is racially, ethnically, linguistically, and culturally diverse to broaden students' academic experience and to enrich our District. We are focused on creating and supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organizational culture and in our community.

Meeker Elementary is seeking an Elementary Principal for the 2023-2024 school year.

MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Ames Community School District is to ensure that all learners develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes, values, and personal esteem necessary to grow in and shape a changing society.

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Summary
The elementary principal serves as the instructional leader and chief administrator of the elementary school. The principal is responsible for implementing and adhering to all federal, state and district policies, regulations and procedures. Areas of responsibility include directing and administering all educational programs and activities, student support, planning, curriculum development, program evaluation, student activities, personnel management, financial management, emergency procedures, resource scheduling, facilities operations, school climate and community relations for the building.

Distinguishing Characteristics
This position requires demonstrated expertise in educational programs, curriculum, pedagogy, professional development, and culturally sustaining instructional strategies. This position also requires directly-related administrative experience to ensure success in an elementary school leadership role. This administrative experience includes the ability to lead collaboratively, support and promote diversity, foster a student-centered approach leading to student engagement and success, and the ability to create and maintain an emotionally healthy and physically safe school culture. This position has supervisory responsibilities for planning, assigning, supporting, and evaluating the work of licensed and classified employees, and requires strong communication and relationship-building skills with both internal and external stakeholders. 

Responsibilities/Essential Functions:

• Serves as the instructional leader and demonstrates collaborative leadership skills, capable of making tough decisions and leading a cohesive team.
• Plans, designs, and conducts follow-through strategies for teaching and learning designed to meet the differentiated and individualized needs of students and the educational community.
• Leads inclusive decision-making processes to ensure the development of a comprehensive school improvement plan with annual student achievement targets, supported by parents, staff, and community members.
• Oversees the school’s performance evaluation systems to ensure that site goals and objectives are achieved and that all staff adhere to district, state and federal standards and goals.
• Establishes the master schedule for instructional programs, ensuring rigorous and articulated learning experiences aligned to state standards and required instructional hours.
• Supervises the evaluation of all building staff, coordinates all staff development activities, and ensures professional development and support for all staff.
• Ensures that the instructional programs engage the learner in tasks that require analytical and critical thinking, problem solving and creativity, address the range of skills and developmental needs found in the classroom, encourage the student to define individual goals and accept responsibility for learning, and that they provide a variety of methods for the student to demonstrate performance and achievement.
• Serves as a role model for students, dressing professionally, demonstrating the importance and relevance of learning, accepting responsibility, and demonstrating pride in the educational profession.
• Uses data to guide data teams to identify and monitor student needs and growth, and collects and analyzes data to inform practice, develop new programs and make improvements to existing programs.
• Plans, develops, organizes, and administers support systems which provide optimal educational opportunities for adolescent age students. Oversees a multi-tiered system of supports to meet individual student needs.
• Empowers students, staff, and parents to articulate and implement their goals and ideas.
• Develops, implements, and oversees budget planning and financial procedures in accordance with all laws, regulations, and policies.
• Manages a safe and well-maintained facility, identifying needs and recommending additions, modifications, and services.
• Confers with site and district staff in decision-making processes, and in the development of alternative approaches to addressing concerns and issues.
• Assists in the development, implementation, interpretation, and administration of policies, rules, and regulations, and negotiated employee agreements. Ensures compliance with all laws, administrative codes, board policies, and regulations.
• Establishes and maintains procedures for the resolution of conflict in an effort to maintain a high level of staff morale.
• Plans, develops, and provides, as required, management reports pertaining to the educational climate and the functions and activities of the school.
• Effectively allocates resources for the improvement of student learning.
• Ensures the consistent implementation of all District policies and practices.
• Creates a sense of belonging and welcoming environment for all students, staff, and families.
• On-site work required.
• Attends work on a consistent and punctual basis.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Qualifications Education
• Master’s Degree in Education or related field and a valid Iowa Administrative License (or the ability to immediately obtain a license by the date of hire).
 
Experience
• Have a minimum of five (5) years’ experience in teaching and working with adults or adolescents.
• Have at least three (3) years of administrative experience as a principal, assistant principal or central office administrator. Administrative experience should include a record of effective educational leadership, demonstrated commitment to a positive learning environment, excellent communication skills, and a strong commitment to educational equity.

The successful candidate will exhibit:

• Demonstrated commitment to educational equity and excellence for all students.
• Possession of strong leadership skills.
• Excellent ability to be a strong instructional leader and to develop culturally-sustaining instructional and curricular initiatives.
• Unwavering evidence of strong integrity, good moral character, and initiative.
• Consistent usage of highly effective communication skills.
• Evidence of being flexible, innovative, creative, straight-forward, fair and equitable.
• Strong organizational skills and demonstrated ability to follow through with tasks, plans, and promises.
• Ability to manage budgets and implement spending procedures.
• Ability to interact with a broad and diverse population of internal and external stakeholders.

Closing Date: April 12, 2023. Interviews will be held on April 26, 2023
 

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Candidates, please follow the link to apply online: https://www.applitrack.com/amesk12/OnlineApp/JobPostings/View.asp?AppliTrackJobId=976
All employees of the Ames Community School District must pass a background check. ACSD is an E-Verify employer.

To learn more about the Ames Community School District, visit our websites:

• District Website 
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• Amazing Magazine 

It is the policy of the Ames Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact Kristin Johnson, Human Resources Director, kristin.johnson@ames.k12.ia.us, District Offices, 2005 24^th St. Ames, IA 50010, (515) 268-6610.