Principal Fellow

Job Description

To build more high-performing schools, we need leaders to commit themselves to the most urgent and exciting work of our time. Uncommon Schools Principal Fellows are strategically trained and developed using best-in-class practices with the goal of stepping into an Uncommon Principal role upon completion of the Fellowship, in which they will co-lead a school alongside an Uncommon Director of Operations. This Principal Fellow and eventual Principal is a full-time employee, hired, supported, and evaluated by the Regional Superintendent of Instruction and the Senior Director of School Support.  The fellowship is based on a foundation of core elements aligned to the competencies of Uncommon Principals. Each element is designed to build Principal Fellows’ capacity towards becoming effective instructional school leaders:

Feedback and Assessment 

Feedback, especially individualized feedback, is the main tool that will support the Principal Fellow’s growth as a leader and is the main reason our schools go from good to great. Principal Fellows will receive feedback formally and informally throughout the Fellowship during their time in schools, professional development, and in cross-regional Fellow cohort gatherings. This will include feedback from the Principal Fellow’s Host Principal, the Regional Superintendent of Instruction, and the Senior Director of School Support. 

School Immersion 

By integrating fully into the day-to-day activities of an Uncommon school, Principal Fellows will gain exposure to situations they may face as a school leader and be challenged to manage the complexity of scenarios that occur at a school.  Principal Fellows will work with their Host Principal and the Senior Director of School Support throughout their Fellowship to plan how they will master the skills and competencies needed to lead a high-performing school, including Instructional Leadership, Teacher Development, School Culture, and Family Engagement. Principal Fellows are “in the driver’s seat” of their learning and must seek and plan for opportunities throughout their Fellowship to demonstrate a leadership presence and readiness to lead while being fully immersed within a school.

Professional Development

Principal Fellows join our Principals in monthly, cross-regional professional development. This is an important opportunity to learn alongside Principals and cohort members about the most up-to-date instructional leadership and people management best practices to develop your leadership capabilities. 

In addition, Principal Fellows will attend a series of cohort-specific professional development workshops which are more intimate and allow for more “at-bats,” practice and direct application to their school immersion. These cohort sessions will provide opportunities for Principal Fellows to look to one another for professional and personal support. 

Qualifications

• Passionate commitment to the mission of Uncommon Schools;
• Passionate commitment to expand knowledge, skills, and opportunities for students both in and out of school;
• Dedication to building culturally responsive learning partnerships with students, teachers, and families;
• Demonstrates tenacity, personal responsibility, a founder’s mentality, and a commitment to continual professional growth;
• Strong people management skills, including the ability to effectively navigate difficult conversations and hold staff, scholars, and families accountable in a supportive manner;
• Ability to develop and maintain a strong staff culture that is clearly focused on realizing our Uncommon mission;
• Strong data analysis skills;
• Ability to provide high-leverage feedback via classroom observations;
• Ability to strategically manage and prioritize time and tasks effectively to fully meet the needs of their school, with a lens toward systems thinking;
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment; flexible, able to work autonomously and take direction as needed;
• Familiarity and success with–or commitment to–implementing Uncommon’s core tenets of instructional leadership (e.g., See It-Name It-Do It framework, Leverage Leadership principles);
• Required experience:
  • At least 3 years of teaching experience with evidence of outstanding student growth and achievement;
  • At least 1 year of experience coaching, leading, and/or managing teachers (e.g., Assistant Principal, Dean of Curriculum, Instructional Leader, grade level chair, content/department chair);
  • Experience teaching core subjects (e.g., Math, ELA, Science, History) is preferred.
  • A Bachelor's degree.

Additional Information

Our people are what make us Uncommon. We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits that support the personal health, wellness, and finances of our staff and their families. Our compensation philosophy values equity & fairness and attracting & retaining top talent.

Our Approach to AI and Your Application

At Uncommon Schools, we value thoughtful use of technology. Your responses should begin with your own thinking and reflect your authentic voice, experiences, and commitment to our mission. Generative AI can be used to refine or organize writing, but not to generate initial responses or replace your ideas. Every application is reviewed by a member of our Recruitment Team, and we are committed to understanding the person behind the application. 

Compensation

Compensation for this role is between $110,000 to $116,700. Most candidates who meet job description requirements will receive an offer of $110,000. 

Starting pay is determined using various factors including but not limited to relevant professional development, education certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools. 

Benefits

• Generous paid time off inclusive of sick time, paid holidays, and ~10 weeks of paid breaks (Spring, Winter, and Summer). 
• Extensive, best-in-class training and development  
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans + pre-tax flexible spending (FSA), dependent care (DCFSA), and health saving accounts (HSA)
• Financial Planning
• New Jersey Pension program
• Paid leave of absence options (parental, medical, disability, etc.)
• Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefit

*A detailed list of all SY 26-27 benefits is located HERE.

At Uncommon, we believe that a supportive and welcoming environment helps our students, staff, and community thrive. We are dedicated to building a team that brings a wide range of perspectives and experiences, reflective of the communities we serve---with over 70% of our staff identifying as people of color. Our organization values respect and open dialogue on important topics that shape our school culture.

As an equal opportunity employer, Uncommon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We also ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions. If you would like to request an accommodation, please email [email protected].