Principal - Middle School

Principal – Middle School

The East Providence School Department seeks an experienced, collaborative, and student-centered educational leader to serve as Principal of Edward R. Martin Middle School, a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility designed to prepare students for continued success at East Providence High School. Located in a dynamic community that strongly supports its schools and is committed to providing exceptional educational opportunities for all students, Martin Middle School offers its next principal the opportunity to lead a school focused on student achievement, effective instructional practices, a positive school culture, and the successful operation of the school.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong understanding of middle-level education and the academic, social, and developmental needs of adolescents. The Principal will work closely with faculty and staff to maintain high expectations for students, strengthen instructional practices, support professional growth, and ensure that programs and resources are responsive to the needs of all learners. The Principal reports to the Superintendent of Schools and works collaboratively with district administrators, faculty, staff, students, families, and community partners.

Essential Responsibilities

Educational Leadership: Provide leadership for the continued development of a rigorous, engaging, and supportive educational program. Maintain a visible presence throughout the school, including classrooms and other learning environments. Support the effective implementation of district curriculum, instructional programs, assessment practices, and academic initiatives. Work collaboratively with teachers and instructional leaders to identify areas of strength and opportunities for continued improvement. Use student achievement data, assessment results, classroom evidence, and other relevant information to establish priorities and guide school improvement efforts. Promote instructional approaches that address the varied learning needs of students and provide appropriate levels of challenge and support. Support effective implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), interventions, special education services, multilingual learner programs, and other student supports. Facilitate professional learning and collaborative opportunities that strengthen educator practice and support school and district priorities. Promote consistency and alignment of curriculum, instruction, and expectations across grade levels and content areas.

Faculty and Staff Leadership: Recruit, supervise, support, and evaluate faculty and staff in accordance with district policies, collective bargaining agreements, and Rhode Island requirements. Conduct classroom observations and provide meaningful feedback that supports professional growth and effective practice. Establish clear expectations for professional performance and accountability. Support assistant principals, department leaders, teacher leaders, and other staff members in developing their leadership capacity. Provide structures and opportunities for faculty collaboration, professional learning, and shared problem-solving. Foster a professional culture characterized by collaboration, respect, high expectations, and continuous improvement. Recognize and utilize the expertise of faculty and staff in advancing school priorities.

Student Success and School Culture: Establish and maintain a safe, welcoming, respectful, and academically focused school environment. Promote high expectations for student achievement, attendance, behavior, citizenship, and personal responsibility. Develop practices that strengthen students' sense of belonging and connection to the school community. Ensure student discipline is administered fairly, consistently, and in accordance with district policies and applicable laws. Support programs and activities that address the academic, social, emotional, and developmental needs of middle school students. Work collaboratively with teachers, counselors, social workers, psychologists, administrators, and families to identify and address barriers to student success. Encourage student participation in extracurricular activities, enrichment opportunities, leadership experiences, and school life.

Family and Community Engagement: Establish positive and productive relationships with students, families, faculty, staff, and members of the East Providence community. Maintain regular and effective communication with families regarding school programs, expectations, accomplishments, and important initiatives. Create opportunities for families to participate in and contribute to the school community. Respond to student and family concerns professionally, promptly, and constructively. Develop partnerships with community organizations and other resources that enhance opportunities and supports for students.

School Management and Operations: Provide effective oversight of the daily operation of Edward R. Martin Middle School. Develop and implement school improvement priorities aligned with district goals and identified student needs. Manage staffing, scheduling, budgeting, facilities, and school resources effectively and responsibly. Ensure that schedules, staffing decisions, and allocation of resources support the school's educational priorities. Ensure compliance with School Department policies, collective bargaining agreements, state and federal laws, and Rhode Island Department of Education requirements. Maintain appropriate systems related to student attendance, safety, emergency preparedness, student records, facilities, and school procedures. Collaborate with central administration and other district principals to advance districtwide initiatives and provide consistent educational opportunities for students. Perform other duties as assigned by the Superintendent of Schools.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Strong knowledge of curriculum, instruction, assessment, student support systems, and effective educational practices. Experience supervising, evaluating, coaching, or supporting educators. Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills. Ability to establish productive relationships with students, families, faculty, staff, administrators, and community members. Administrative or leadership experience at the secondary level. Experience supporting curriculum implementation and school improvement initiatives. Demonstrated ability to use multiple sources of data to identify priorities and improve student outcomes. Experience developing and facilitating professional learning for educators. Knowledge of MTSS, special education, multilingual learner services, intervention systems, and differentiated instructional practices. Experience managing a school-based budget. Demonstrated understanding of the academic, social, emotional, and developmental needs of middle school students.

Minimum Qualifications

Master's degree from an accredited college or university in educational leadership, curriculum and instruction, administration, or a related field. Current Rhode Island certification as a Building Level Administrator. Documented proficiency as a classroom teacher.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to work in a variety of physical positions, including, but not limited to, sitting, standing, stretching, and walking. The employee is regularly required to talk and/or hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands, handle, or feel. The employee must be able to perform physical activities such as, but not limited to, lifting, and/or moving light objects up to ten (10) lbs., and occasionally lift items slightly over ten (10) lbs. The use of a step stool may be required to reach the top drawer of a filing cabinet as necessary. Specific vision abilities include close vision and color vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.