Position Title: Principal
Reports to: Superintendent
Department: Administration
Position Category: 12-month contract, Exempt, Full-time
Position Summary: The Principal, under the direction of the Superintendent, serves as the chief administrative officer of the school and is responsible for the management, supervision, and operation of the school in compliance with the educational, financial, and other operational laws and procedures established by the Texas Education Agency and Board of Directors. In collaboration with the school's administration, create a positive learning and training environment for the benefit of our artistically talented students in their pursuit of excellence, their families, and the faculty and staff. Primary responsibilities are to administer the educational, financial, and operational functions of Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts to achieve the school's mission and to comply with applicable laws and the procedures established by the Texas Education Agency and the Texas Center for Arts + Academics Board of Directors.
Essential Job Functions: - Create a positive, safe environment, and be a role model and mentor for students, parents, faculty, and staff
- Oversee and administer school activities including:
- Supervision and evaluation of faculty and staff
- Effective, research-based curriculum and instruction, while providing support and leadership
- Design, implementation, and evaluation of high quality organization-approved programs
- Development and implementation of operations and school site plans to achieve approved strategic objectives
- Supervise the educational program and provide curriculum and instruction leadership at the site level.
- Interpret and implement district-approved instructional programs.
- Promote the cooperative development of a school site plan, which best meets the needs of students and district goals.
- Demonstrate skill and knowledge in designing, implementing, and evaluating major programs and activities to bring about needed change and higher performance.
- Apply sound principles of learning theory in developing instructional programs that are of high quality for all students.
- Demonstrate depth of knowledge in curriculum frameworks and in the latest instructional methodology.
- Supervise the implementation of the testing program.
- Have knowledge of and be able to retrieve, analyze, and sort data in order to make instructional decisions to improve student achievement.
- Demonstrate research-based instructional leadership practices and effective instructional programs.
- Coordinate program evaluation and ensure compliance with all local, state and federal programs at the school.
- Maintain and manage accurate data for informed decision-making, evaluation, and compliance
- Create reports and present updates to staff, parents, leadership, and governing bodies
- Others as assigned
Personnel Management: - Supervise and evaluate staff assigned to the district in a timely manner.
- Observe the operation of classrooms and provide assistance to teachers and students in achieving educational goals.
- Assist with the recruitment, selection, and assignment of personnel through coordination with Human Resources.
Student Services: - Supervise the safety and welfare of students.
- Direct disaster preparedness and safety information programs.
- Implement school and district policies and administrative regulations pertaining to student discipline.
- Coordinate and participate in the process of recommending students for support programs.
- Assist with transportation issues and problems, in cooperation with the Director of Fine Arts Operations.
- Coordinate food service program in cooperation with the Child Nutrition Manager.
Finance and Business Management: - Maintain records and submit reports as required, in a timely manner.
- Prepare and manage budgets allotted to the school, recommending and controlling expenditures through coordination with the Superintendent and Business Office Manager.
- Coordinate with Facility Maintenance Manager to provide safe and clean learning and working environments at the school site, supervise the maintenance and care of buildings and grounds.
School/Community Relations: - Establish and maintain good school-community relations.
- Demonstrate effective oral and written skills in communicating with students, staff, community, and district/non-profit personnel in a timely, clear and appropriate manner.
- Demonstrate knowledge and skill in using collaboration and consensus building in decision-making processes.
- Serve as educational advisor to the local PTSO while attending all executive board and general meetings.
- Serve as a member of the School Improvement Committee attending all meetings.
- Use diversified approaches and processes to involve others in generating solutions, predicting consequences and setting priorities.
- Be proactive in integrating parent and community collaboration in the vision and action planning of the school.
Technology Skills: Demonstrate competency in using electronic media and integrating it into leadership and student academics outcomes.
Essential Job Requirements: - Education - Master's degree required with a concentration in education, curriculum, or administration; valid Texas education certification and principal certification
- Experience - minimum eight years education experience; 3 years prior teaching experience required; principal experience preferred, fine arts background preferred
- Required Skills and Capabilities - possess thorough and current knowledge of curriculum design and effective teaching practices; team supervision and leadership with a focus on consensus building; ability to work collaboratively with a diverse team; excellent verbal and written communication; budget planning/management
- Preferred Skills and Capabilities - demonstration of school-wide goals accomplishment
- Physical Requirements - ability to carry up to 35 lbs.; valid driver license
Position Category: Permanent, exempt, full-time