Dual Language Middle School Principal

Mount Vernon School District; Mount Vernon (WA); On-site; USD 182,000 - 205,000; Full time

Job summary

Mount Vernon School District in Mount Vernon, WA seeks a Dual Language Middle School Principal to lead a Spanish–English program for adolescent learners. The Principal will advance bilingualism, biliteracy, and high academic achievement within an equity-centered framework.

The role emphasizes collaboration with students, families, staff, and community partners to promote engagement, safe culture, and strong data-informed planning to close opportunity gaps.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in educational administration or related field.
• Washington State principal certification.
• K-12 Principal Certification.
• Three years of teaching/certificated experience at elementary level.
• Five years of elementary administrative school-based experience preferred.
• Commitment to social justice and equity.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and management of the school, including instructional programs, operations, staffing, scheduling, budgeting, and facilities.
• Develop, implement, and monitor the School Improvement Plan aligned to district priorities and strategic goals.
• Serve as an effective and collaborative member of the district administrative leadership team.
• Supervise, support, and evaluate certificated and classified staff in accordance with district procedures and collective bargaining agreements.
• Establish systems, structures, and routines that support effective middle school operations and a positive learning environment.
• Manage time, responsibilities, and competing priorities effectively while modeling strong organizational leadership.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Equity leadership

Data-informed decision making

Education

Master’s degree in educational administration or related field

Washington State principal certification

K-12 Principal Certification

Three years of teaching/certificated experience at elementary level

Five years of elementary administrative school-based experience

Commitment to social justice and equity

Job description

Position closes February 1, 2027

First Screening February 8, 2027

$182,247-$205,108

MOUNT VERNON SCHOOLS
Dual Language Middle School Principal

AFFILIATION: Exempt
SALARY LEVEL: Principal- Middle School Current Salary: $182,247-$205,108
REPORTING RELATIONSHIP: Assistant Superintendent or designee

Mount Vernon School District (MVSD) purposefully prepares every student for success by ensuring inclusion and belonging, providing high-quality instruction, and empowering learners with the skills and confidence to thrive in a diverse and dynamic world. This mission commits us to the success of each student and affirms our responsibility to create learning environments where all students—across every background, language, and identity—can belong, dream, and achieve.
To fulfill this purpose, we recognize the need to confront and transform inequitable systems, structures, and practices that have historically limited access and opportunity, particularly for students of color and other marginalized groups. Guided by our core values and the commitments outlined in the new MVSD Strategic Plan, we strive to eliminate all forms of discrimination and inequity, ensuring that race, ethnicity, culture, language, or circumstance no longer predict student outcomes. By centering equity, inclusion, and rigorous, culturally responsive learning, we hold ourselves collectively accountable for preparing every student to reach their highest potential and to thrive as empowered, capable, and future-ready graduates.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Principal of the Dual Language Middle School serves as the instructional and operational leader of a Spanish–English dual language learning environment serving adolescent learners. The Principal is responsible for the overall administration of the school and for advancing bilingualism, biliteracy, academic achievement, and cultural competence through a high-quality dual language instructional program.
This role provides visionary, equity-centered leadership to ensure rigorous instruction, strong systems of student support, and a safe, inclusive school culture that honors linguistic and cultural diversity. The Principal collaborates closely with students, staff, families, and community partners to promote student engagement, positive school climate, and shared responsibility for student success. The Principal leads with an explicit commitment to closing opportunity gaps and ensuring that all students—particularly historically underserved learners—are supported to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS

• School Leadership and Administration
  • Provide overall leadership and management of the school, including instructional programs, operations, staffing, scheduling, budgeting, and facilities.
  • Develop, implement, and monitor the School Improvement Plan aligned to district priorities and strategic goals.
  • Serve as an effective and collaborative member of the district administrative leadership team.
  • Supervise, support, and evaluate certificated and classified staff in accordance with district procedures and collective bargaining agreements.
  • Establish systems, structures, and routines that support effective middle school operations and a positive learning environment.
  • Manage time, responsibilities, and competing priorities effectively while modeling strong organizational leadership.
• Instructional Leadership and Dual Language Program Support
  • Provide leadership for the Spanish–English dual language instructional model, ensuring fidelity to program design and alignment with district expectations.
  • Demonstrate expertise or strong knowledge of dual language education, language acquisition, bilingual development, and adolescent learning.
  • Lead the development and implementation of rigorous, culturally responsive instruction across content areas in both English and Spanish.
  • Support department-based collaboration, curriculum alignment, and vertical articulation within the middle school setting.
  • Utilize the district-adopted instructional framework to observe instruction, provide meaningful feedback, and support continuous instructional improvement.
  • Promote bilingualism, biliteracy, and cross-cultural competence through instructional practices, scheduling, staffing, and schoolwide initiatives.
• Equity, Culture, and Climate
  • Lead with an explicit equity lens to ensure access, opportunity, and support for all students, particularly historically marginalized populations.
  • Demonstrate a strong commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in leadership decisions, policies, and daily interactions and actively participate in district and site based equity leadership.
  • Foster a positive, inclusive middle school culture that promotes belonging, respect, student voice, and high academic and behavioral expectations.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the social, emotional, cultural, linguistic, and developmental needs of middle school students.
  • Build and sustain collaborative, respectful, and trusting relationships with students, staff, and families.
  • Lead, implement and monitor inclusive models of learning for individuals with disabilities.
  • Demonstrate a strong understanding of the implementation of IDEA and FAPE through past experiences and services provided to communities of students with disabilities.
• Student Support, Discipline, and Safety
  • Establish and oversee MVSD’s comprehensive student discipline system grounded in restorative, preventative, and developmentally responsive practices.
  • Promote social, emotional, intellectual, and physical safety for students and staff.
  • Address student behavior, attendance, and engagement concerns using data-informed and trauma-informed approaches.
  • Supervise and support extracurricular programs, athletics, student leadership, and schoolwide activities.
  • Respond effectively to crises, conflicts, and safety concerns with diplomacy, sound judgment, and clear communication.
• Data-Informed Decision-Making and Closing Opportunity Gaps
  • Analyze and use multiple sources of data to inform instructional decisions, program evaluation, and school improvement efforts.
  • Monitor student academic achievement, language development, and growth in both English and Spanish.
  • Identify barriers contributing to opportunity and achievement gaps and lead targeted strategies to address and reduce those gaps.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of instructional, behavioral, and intervention programs using evidence of student growth.
• Family and Community Engagement
  • Build and sustain strong school–family–community partnerships that support student learning and well-being.
  • Engage families in culturally responsive and linguistically accessible ways, including bilingual communication.
  • Collaborate with community organizations and agencies to enhance student support and enrichment opportunities.
  • Foster a school culture that values family voice, partnership, and shared responsibility.
• Compliance, Professionalism, and Growth
  • Ensure compliance with district, state, and federal laws, policies, procedures, and contractual obligations.
  • Model professionalism, ethical leadership, integrity, and accountability.
  • Demonstrate approachability, strong communication skills, and a commitment to collaboration.
  • Engage in continuous professional learning and leadership development.
  • Ability to engage in and implement adult learning aligned to the MVSD Strategic Plan and the Racial Equity Action Plan.
  • Perform all other duties as assigned in support of school and district priorities.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in educational administration or related field
• Washington State principal certification
• Three years of successful teaching/certificated experience at elementary level
• Five years of successful elementary administrative school-based experience preferred
• Commitment to social justice and equity
• K-12 Principal Certification
• Experience with Special Education programs preferred
• Bilingual English/Spanish required: Proficiency will be confirmed with testing

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

• Criminal background clearance
• Professional experience verification

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee will frequently sit, stand, and walk, bend neck and back, squat, kneel, and use hands for fine manipulation and repetitive grasping and pushing/pulling. The employee will occasionally be required to climb stairs/ladder, lift and reach overhead, and lift/carry. The employee must constantly lift/carry up to 5 lbs, must frequently lift/carry up to 10 lbs, and occasionally lift/carry a maximum of 20 lbs. The employee is occasionally required to push/pull a maximum force of 100 lbs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in indoor conditions and intermittently works near video displays. The employee may occasionally be exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Selection for interview is based on evaluation of complete application file. Employment offer is based on employee evaluations, discipline history and attendance records, training and experience, references, and interview results. Hourly rate placement contingent upon verification of related experience.

Employment contingent upon completion and verification of form information and background check with fee to be paid by applicant.
Pay for contracted classified employees is distributed once/month on the last business day of the month. Pay for employees who work less than full year is spread through August. Questions concerning pay processes may be directed to the Personnel Office.

BENEFIT INFORMATION

Eligibility for SEBB medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, and LTD if anticipated to reach 630 hours in the school year. Eligibility for retirement based on 3.50 hrs/day or more for 5 or more consecutive months. Optional tax-sheltered annuities: Omni 403(b) and Deferred Compensation Plan. Personal leave, vacation leave (260-day employees only), and sick leave prorated based on FTE.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in educational administration or related field
• Washington State principal certification
• Three years of successful teaching/certificated experience at elementary level
• Five years of successful elementary administrative school-based experience preferred
• Commitment to social justice and equity
• K-12 Principal Certification
• Experience with Special Education programs preferred
• Bilingual English/Spanish required: Proficiency will be confirmed with testing