Principal Fellow

Uncommon Schools; City of Rochester (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Uncommon Schools seeks a Principal Fellow to co-lead a school alongside an Uncommon Director of Operations. This full-time Fellowship prepares Fellows to become principals across our network, with embedded coaching, classroom observation, and district-level support.

The role centers on leadership development, instructional leadership, and strong data-informed decision making, with emphasis on equitable, high-expectation instruction in diverse communities.

Qualifications

• Passionate commitment to the mission of Uncommon Schools.
• Commitment to expanding knowledge, skills, and opportunities for students.
• Dedication to building culturally responsive learning partnerships with students, teachers, and families.
• Demonstrates tenacity, ownership, and ongoing professional growth.
• Strong people management and ability to handle difficult conversations with staff, scholars, and families.

Responsibilities

• Support leadership development and observation of instructional practices.
• Engage in ongoing feedback, coaching, and professional development with Fellow cohorts and host principals.
• Plan and lead school immersion activities to develop readiness for principalship.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching feedback

Data analysis

People management

Instructional leadership

Communication

Time management

Autonomy

Job description

Company Description

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing public charter schools dedicated to providing an exceptional K-12 education in economically disadvantaged communities. Operating in Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester, we are committed to closing the college completion gap and preparing every student for college and beyond. Our students consistently exceed national benchmarks, reflecting our dedication to their success. We invest deeply in our educators, offering weekly coaching, feedback, and professional development to ensure excellence in teaching and leadership. Join us to work hard, do good, and make a lasting difference!

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;