Red Sands Christian School PO Box 579 Winslow, AZ 86047 Christian School Principal Job Description General Description Job summary: The School Principal will oversee the operation of the K-8 th grades and provide leadership, supervision and spiritual guidance to the teaching staff. The Principal will work alongside the Administrator and school staff to provide connections to the churches, parents and community. The strong leadership and oversight will help shape the school, and guide it in accomplishing the overall mission. Hired by: School Administrator with approval by the board Responsible to: School Administrator Supervises: Teachers, Volunteer Staff (when available), and Teacher Aids Evaluated: An annual written evaluation is provided by the School Administrator Type of position: This is a contracted, exempt employee that is paid on a salaried basis. Required Spiritual Qualities It is expected that Christian School Principal will Acknowledge Christ as Savior and seek to live life as His disciple. Believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative, inerrant Word of God our standard for faith and practice. Believe and actively support the school s statement of faith (attached). Demonstrate a desire for spiritual growth as evidenced by his or her prayer life, Bible study, and spiritual outreach to others. Be a Christian role model in attitude, speech, and actions toward others (Luke 6:40). This includes being committed to God s biblical standards for sexual conduct. Evidence the fruit of the Spirit in dealing with people. Share the Christian faith with others.
Have a Christ-centered home. Actively participate in a local Bible-believing church. Required Professional Qualities It is expected that the Christian School Principal will Hold a Master s degree from an accredited postsecondary institution or be willing to participate in a program to complete such a degree within a specified time period. Hold an Elementary/Secondary Education certification and be willing to receive ACSI certifications. Have a minimum of four years of successful classroom teaching experience, and two years of successful administration experience, preferably in a Christian school. Demonstrate a reasonable level of computer literacy, having a basic proficiency in doing word processing, creating and using a spreadsheet, e-mailing, and accessing the Internet. Maintain current infant/child CPR and first aid certification. Required Personal Qualities It is expected that the Christian School Principal will Sign and live by the school s lifestyle statement (attached) as a condition for employment and continued employment in this ministry. Have the spiritual maturity, academic ability, and personal leadership qualities to train a child in the way he should go (Prov. 22:6, NIV). Be an enthusiastic visionary, an encourager, and a self-starter with a high energy level. Demonstrate sensitivity toward staff, parent, volunteers, and children, and an ability to interact effectively with them. Meet everyday stress with emotional stability, objectivity, and optimism. Understand the importance of discernment, discretion, and confidentiality in the operation of the school. Display friendliness and a good sense of humor. Display courtesy and patience in dealing with others. Defend principles and conviction in the face of pressure and partisan influence.
Recognize his or her own mistakes and take measures to correct them. Use acceptable English in written and oral communication. Speak with clear articulation. Respectfully submit and be loyal to constituted authority. Make an effort to appreciate and understand the uniqueness of the community/culture. Place his or her school ministry ahead of other jobs or volunteer activities. Maintain a personal appearance that is a Christian role model of cleanliness, modesty, and good taste consistent with school policy. Be open to new ideas, initiatives, and concepts in education. Be a model of God s ideal for leaders. Essential Job Functions Accountabilities It is expected that the Christian School Principal will Spiritual Leadership Have a conviction that God has called her or him to Christian school administration. Motivate students to accept God s gift of salvation, and be a Christian witness and role model to them in order to help them grow in their faith. Maintain high standards of ethics, honesty, and integrity in all personal and professional matters. Ensure that the campus work environment is Christian-based, nurturing, wholesome, and loving. Lead the staff, students, and school families into a deeper spiritual commitment by example and teaching. Work with the School Administrator and staff to address the spiritual formation needs of the students. Delegate the organization and coordination of chapel programs. Carry out Christ-centered counseling with students and staff or recommend them to professionals who can assist with the counseling needed.
Academic Leadership Have a thorough knowledge and understanding of the Christian philosophy of education that will enable him or her to provide leadership and guidance in the school s development of and commitment to a Christian worldview. Lead in such a way that the school s expected student outcomes are thoroughly addressed through educational programs. Have knowledge of the school s curriculum, standards, and mission. Have a thorough knowledge and understanding of the philosophy and objectives of the school. Provide assistance and input in regards to the curriculum development of the school. Have knowledge of the physical and emotional development of children, and understand the problems they face while growing up. Monitor the certification and licensure status of the teachers. Ensure that school classrooms reflect a professional and Christian environment. Keep abreast of major current trends in education in general and Christian education in particular through reading, graduate studies, conferences, and contacts with other educators. Coordinate all research activities at the school including those in the areas of student curriculum, learning, and evaluation. Coordinate the annual school testing programs. Help interpret test result data to staff and parents. Report the results of standardized testing programs in relation to state and national assessment data that will be understood and useful to the school board and parents. Lead the school staff in continuous professional development through such activities as new staff orientation, in-service opportunities, continuing education, and teaching demonstrations and training. Endeavor to be a resource person when teachers need help with their curriculum planning, teaching techniques or methods, and teacher-child or child-parent relationships.
Evaluate employees using formal and informal evaluation, and hold evaluation conferences for staff members. Administer policy for classification, promotion, or retention of students in the school program. Ensure that school classrooms reflect a professional and Christian environment. Coordinate and supervise the parent-teacher conferences. Administrative Leadership Provide the school environment with appropriate rules, structure, and procedures in which staff, students, and volunteers can function efficiently, effectively, and productively. Understand supervision and how to lead in a positive manner. Have the ability to accomplish the goals and objectives assigned by the school board and school policy. Provide leadership in planning the master schedule, including the coordination of transportation needs. Provide oversight and leadership for staff meetings and in-service opportunities. Meet regularly with the School Administrator to ensure coordination of programs and prompt problem resolution. Assist Administrator in supervision of staff, improvement of instruction, and selection of curriculum. Ensure that school staff communicates with parents consistently and expediently. Be available to assist the teachers in matters relating to student needs and problems. Oversee and maintain positive discipline while ensuring that discipline is consistently maintained within biblical guidelines. Maintain a physical presence with the students by attending and, when possible, participating in school chapels, assemblies, athletics events, and other presentations. Respect professional ethics that require confidentiality concerning the sharing of
information about students, parents, or staff. Possess the ability to interact effectively with school constituents and community entities. Provide for the appropriate delegation of responsibilities and authority within the school. Provide for the evaluation, orientation, and placement of all incoming families and students. Involve parents in prayer, volunteerism, and input and decision making as appropriate. Arrange for substitute teachers when needed, and assist them in successfully carrying out their responsibilities. Have annual end-of-year inventory of textbooks, furniture, equipment, and other items for all classrooms, and keep adequate records of same. Have the ability to accomplish the goals and objectives assigned by the School Administrator and school policy. Help the Administrator with the revision of the parent/student handbooks, employee handbooks, substitute teacher handbooks, the course description catalog, and other such items. In cooperation with the Administrator, plan for adequate supervision of athletics events. Assume all other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Administrator. Legal Compliance Monitor compliance with relevant laws and regulations that apply to schools, and file all legal and regulatory documents in a timely manner. Ensure that all records business, personnel, and student are adequate, accurate, and administered legally. Conduct required emergency safety drills in coordination with school leadership. Governance Keep the Administrator informed on the issues, needs, and operation of the school system at all levels.
Seek and accept constructive evaluation of her or his own job performance. Serve as the educational consultant to the school board by providing information and counsel on all the school s educational challenges and procedures. Offer professional advice to the school board / Administrator on items requiring action, with appropriate recommendations based on thorough study and analysis. Attend all school board meetings, and help the Administrator plan the agenda for these meetings. Serve as liaison between the school board, Administrator and personnel, working toward a high degree of understanding and respect between staff and board. Show support for school board policy and decisions to the staff, parents, and public. Provide information and counsel to the Administrator on the educational challenges and procedures for the school. Provide input to the formation of the school s long-range strategic plan. Deal directly and frankly with the Administrator in an earnest effort to resolve differences of opinion when they exist. Personnel Treat all personnel fairly and in a businesslike manner, without favoritism or discrimination, while insisting on performance of duties. Ensure that all school personnel have current written job descriptions. Ensure that all personnel files are current, treated with appropriate confidentiality, and adequately safeguarded. Make objective recommendations, with adequate supporting data, to the School Administrator in regard to cases of assignment, transfer, promotion, demotion, nonrenewal of contract, or dismissal. Assist the Administrator in developing and training a pool of competent substitute teachers and volunteers to ensure continuity of the school program. Provide input to the Administrator that will help establish, implement, and refine procedures for the recruitment, orientation, supervision, evaluation, and motivation of personnel.
Provide input to the Administrator for staff development and in-service programs on and off campus. Annually evaluate the school staff and provide each employee with a written evaluation. Provide appropriate information to the Administrator regarding the evaluations. Ensure that all personnel files are current, treated with appropriate confidentiality, and adequately safeguarded. Business and Finances Possess an awareness and understanding of basic business and financial concepts, and be able to use these concepts to meet the needs of the school. Assist the Administrator in planning for both short- and long-term budgetary needs to include but not be limited to operations, capital improvements, reserve, and endowment. Present purchases outside the school budget to the Administrator for approval before they are executed. Provide input to the Administrator for the development and implementation of the school s long-range financial plan. Provide input to the Administrator for the annual budget. Development and Public Relations Understand the need and value of planned public relations, and oversee the development of an efficient public relations program. Assist with oversight for development programs and activities in areas of constituency relations, fund-raising, and student recruitment and retention. Help prepare a formal annual published report that includes the statistics and accomplishments of the school and its plans for the future. Cultivate appropriate relationships with the state education department, school tuition organizations, other government agencies, the local school district, and ACSI. Recognize the importance of working cooperatively with organizations, and play a role in state and regional organizations that have an impact on the school.
Represent the school at parent, church, and community groups, as able. Act on suggestions and requests in an appropriate manner, giving prompt attention to the resolution of complaints. Be available for conferences with staff or parents.