Urbana Early Childhood School Principal

Urbana School District #116

JOB TITLE:  Urbana Early Childhood School Principal

SUPERVISOR:  Superintendent or Designee

SUPERVISES:  Building Staff

JOB SUMMARY:  The Early Childhood School Principal provides excellent educational leadership and strong school management to promote educational development for each student and the professional development of each staff member. They will have outstanding skills in learning, leadership for equity, professional development, and partnerships with families. They will have a full understanding of the requirements of the ISBE Preschool for All and the ISBE Prevention Initiative grants. They will be familiar with developmentally appropriate practices, authentic student assessment systems, the Danielson Framework, and PERA. The Early Childhood Principal will understand inclusive practices at the PreK level and be familiar with special education policies and procedures. 

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• As a building leader, contributes toward and facilitates the learning needs of the students assigned to the school and obtains the efforts of all staff members through encouragement and example.
• Evaluate the performance of all staff members assigned to the school in accordance with the district evaluation plan and PERA.
• Enables staff to improve performance and to grow on the job by providing professional development or by directing staff to other offerings.
• Selects, hires, and manages the performance of all staff assigned to the building, with the exception of some itinerant special education staff members and service contractors.
• Align program practices and standards to support quality implementation with the Illinois Early Learning Standards 
• Collect, record, and store data and make them available to assist sound planning and decision-making for individual students, classrooms, the school, and the district. Manages data in accordance with all privacy acts and district policy.
• Projects future needs of the school and involves staff in establishing long-term and short-term goals for the school.
• Prepares the school budget within established limits and requirements of the ISBE preschool grants and funding options. Completes and submits all expenditure forms and reports as required by the State and the Urbana School District. 
• Collaborates with the other elementary principals and district administrators to further the cause of preschool education and to promote district-wide activities.
• Collaborates and builds relationships with community agencies to ensure students and families receive the necessary resources.
• Establishes good relationships with school stakeholders, parents, and community members to bring the school and community together.
• Works in collaboration with the Director of Elementary Bilingual Programs, the Executive Director of Student Services, and elementary administrators to promote continuity among district instructional programs and ensure successful Kindergarten transitions for all students. 
• Develops and maintains a positive school climate.
• Supervision of remedial and enrichment summer programming for elementary students.
• Manages all aspects of the physical environment to facilitate the education of students assigned to the school and to ensure the health and safety of students and staff.
• Develops and implements a plan for personal professional growth, which increases the proficiency and effectiveness of fulfilling the leadership role.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Master's Degree, from an accredited college or university, with training in administration and supervision at the early childhood or elementary level. 
• Five years of successful teaching experience, preferably at the elementary level, early childhood, or in special education.  
• Three years of successful administrative or teacher leadership experience preferably at the elementary level, early childhood, or in special education.  
• Illinois Licensure with Administrative Endorsement 
• Must possess, or be able to obtain, the Teacher Evaluator designations from ISBE to allow for evaluation of licensed teachers 
• Strong knowledge of special education policies and procedures preferred. 

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:  

• An administrative leadership style based on positive relationships and a continuous improvement model
• Visible accessibility
• High task orientation
• Excellent communication, presentation, and listening skills
• Vision, compassion, and enthusiasm for effective team leadership to motivate high standards and continuous improvement
• Knowledge of best practices in curriculum and instruction at the early childhood level.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:  Salary is determined by the Superintendent.  This position has an eleventh-month calendar year.

EVALUATION: The performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board’s policy on evaluation of professional personnel and the State Board of Education under PERA.

START DATE:  July 29th, 2024  

REVISED:  February 2024