Preschool Principal (Brucker)

Saginaw Intermediate School District; Birch Run (MI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Saginaw Intermediate School District seeks a Preschool Principal to provide instructional leadership, curriculum oversight, and program compliance for early childhood programs serving ages 0-5. The role ensures implementation of high-quality, developmentally appropriate instruction aligned with GSRP, Head Start, EHS, and regulatory standards.

The principal will coach staff, monitor assessments (TS GOLD, CLASS), support inclusion, coordinate transitions to K-12, and engage families and community

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or Educational Leadership is required.
• Valid Michigan Administrator Certificate or eligibility to obtain within three years is required.
• Leadership experience in GSRP/Head Start/EHS or related programs is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead curriculum implementation for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers (0-5) in alignment with GSRP, Head Start, and Early Head Start standards.
• Provide ongoing instructional coaching, mentoring, and professional development to ensure evidence-based teaching practices.
• Conduct regular classroom observations to enhance teacher effectiveness and child outcomes using CLASS and TS GOLD.
• Oversee development and implementation of individualized learning plans aligned with state standards and readiness goals.
• Support inclusion and intervention strategies for children with disabilities and social-emotional needs in collaboration with teams.
• Guide the transition process from early childhood programs into K-12 to ensure continuity of learning.

Skills

Curriculum leadership

Instructional coaching

Observation & assessment

Stakeholder engagement

Data-driven decision making

Education

Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or Educational Leadership

Michigan Administrator Certificate

Tools

TS GOLD

Creative Curriculum

Job description

GENERAL SUMMARY
The Preschool Principal provides instructional leadership, administrative oversight, and program compliance for
early childhood education programs serving children ages 0-5. This role ensures the implementation of high-
quality, developmentally appropriate instruction that aligns with the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP), Head
Start, Early Head Start (EHS), and state and federal regulations.
In addition to overseeing curriculum implementation and compliance, this position leads curricular enhancements
that enrich early learning experiences, including the integration of STEM overlays when applicable, literacy
initiatives, social-emotional learning, and play-based inquiry approaches. The principal fosters an inclusive, safe,
and engaging learning environment, guiding educators, supporting families, and collaborating with community
partners to ensure strong school readiness outcomes.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead curriculum implementation for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers (ages 0-5) in alignment with GSRP,
  Head Start, and Early Head Start standards.
• Provide ongoing instructional coaching, mentoring, and professional development to ensure evidence-
  based teaching practices.
• Conduct regular classroom observations, using tools such as CLASS and TSG, to enhance teacher
  effectiveness and child outcomes.
• Oversee the development and implementation of individualized learning plans, ensuring alignment with
  state early childhood standards and school readiness goals.
• Support inclusion and intervention strategies for children with disabilities and social-emotional needs in
  collaboration with mental health and special services teams.
• Guide the transition process from early childhood programs into K-12, ensuring continuity of learning for all
  children.
• Oversee the scheduling, completion, and quality assurance of CLASS observations, ensuring required
  observation cycles are completed and data is used to strengthen instructional practices.
• Monitor Teaching Strategies GOLD (TS GOLD) implementation, fidelity, and compliance, ensuring timely
  completion of checkpoints, documentation, and assessment requirements.
• Plan, facilitate, and coordinate instructional cluster meetings to promote consistent implementation of
  curriculum, assessment, and instructional best practices.

Compliance & Program Administration

• Ensure all early childhood programs (0-5) comply with local, state, and federal guidelines, including:
  • Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP)
  • Head Start/Early Head Start (EHS)
  • Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA)
  • Office of Head Start (OHS) and MiLEAP Standards
• Maintain accurate records, reports, and data tracking related to enrollment, child outcomes, compliance
  monitoring, and licensing audits.
• Supervise and support teaching staff, paraprofessionals, and family engagement teams, ensuring
  adherence to performance standards and best practices.
• Oversee program scheduling, staffing allocations, and professional learning plans for educators.
• Ensure compliance with all Teaching Strategies GOLD documentation, assessment, and reporting
  requirements.
• Monitor completion of required CLASS observations and maintain documentation to support federal, state,
  and program monitoring requirements.

Staff Supervision & Professional Development

• Supervise and evaluate teachers, associate teachers, and support staff, fostering professional growth and
  accountability.
• Assist with pre-service and in-service training on curriculum implementation, child development, and
  trauma-informed teaching practices.
• Develop and oversee professional growth plans for educators, supporting credentialing pathways,
  including CDA, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degree programs.
• Facilitate monthly coaching meetings, providing structured feedback and instructional modeling to enhance
  teaching effectiveness.
• Collaborate to integrate inclusive practices for children with disabilities and special needs.
• Oversee any additional staff as assigned
• Coordinate onboarding and orientation for newly hired instructional staff, ensuring successful transition into
  district expectations, curriculum, assessment systems, and program requirements.
• Coordinate and facilitate training for substitute teachers to ensure continuity of instructional practices,
  classroom expectations, and health and safety procedures.
• Ensure new staff are mentored and supported through coaching, modeling, and ongoing professional
  learning.

Family & Community Engagement

• Serve as the primary liaison between families, educators, and the community, ensuring strong parent
  partnerships and engagement.
• Provide families with guidance on early childhood development, kindergarten readiness, and home-school
  connections.
• Lead family education initiatives, including workshops on literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional
  development.
• Strengthen collaboration with local districts, community organizations, and service providers to enhance
  early learning opportunities.
• Coordinate and support parent-teacher conferences, home visits, and transition meetings for children
  moving into kindergarten.

Data-Driven Decision Making & Continuous Improvement

• Analyze child assessment data (TS GOLD) to inform instructional practices and ensure program
  effectiveness.
• Participate in district-wide data review teams, identifying trends and implementing strategies for school
  readiness improvement.
• Ensure teachers and support staff utilize assessment tools effectively, maintaining inter-rater reliability in
  observation and evaluation.
• Monitor and evaluate student progress, teacher performance, and program quality, making evidence-
  based decisions to enhance early childhood learning outcomes.

Facility & Safety Oversight

• Maintain a safe, clean, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for children ages 0-5.
  
• Ensure smooth and efficient day-to-day operations
  
• Ensure full compliance with health and safety regulations, including:
  • Daily cleaning and sanitation procedures
  • Emergency preparedness drills
  • Playground safety checks
  • Security and access control measures
• Oversee facility maintenance, working with district leadership to manage building improvements, repairs,
  and regulatory compliance.
• Provide administrative oversight and leadership support to additional early childhood sites, including Birch
  Run, as needed or if assigned by the Executive Director of Early Childhood.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Educational Leadership, or a related field, required
  
• Valid Michigan Administrator Certificate (or eligibility to obtain within three years).
  
• Leadership experience (Elementary Education, GSRP, Head Start, EHS, or related programs), is
  preferred.
  
• Proficiency in TS GOLD and Creative Curriculum.
  
• Obtain and maintain CLASS certification.
  
• Strong understanding of the Michigan Kindergarten Readiness Standards
  
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
  
• Experience in data-driven decision-making and program evaluation.
  
• Experience working with community-based organizations and local school districts in a leadership role.
  
• Training in trauma-informed practices, equity in early learning, and family engagement strategies.
  
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and maintain confidentiality regarding student and staff information.

WORKING CONDITIONS + PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be required to lift up to 50 pounds.
  
• Occasional need to lift typical office items, including small furniture, some equipment, boxes, etc.
  
• Must be able to sit at a desk or in meetings for long periods of time and also walk short distances.
  
• Some exposure to communicable diseases.
  
• Noise level in the working environment may be moderate to loud.
  
• Work is generally performed outside of an office environment, involving face-to-face communication for
  paperwork and technology.
  
• Must be available for a variety of evening and weekend meetings as well as social and community events.
  
• Travel by car, bus, airplane or train may also be required associated with attendance at conferences,
  meetings and other duties carried out at distant locations in and out of state and in some cases where
  some overnight travel may be required.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION

Saginaw Intermediate School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity, disability, age, or national origin in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Executive Director of Human Resources

Saginaw Intermediate School District

3933 Barnard Road, Saginaw, MI 48603

Telephone: [phone], Fax: [phone]

Email: [e-mail] Web: www.sisd.cc