Principal Fellow

Overview

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!

To build more high‑performing schools, we need leaders who commit 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 that role, they will co‑lead a school alongside an Uncommon Director of Operations.

The Fellowship is a full‑time position, 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.

Principal Fellows will receive formal and informal feedback throughout the Fellowship during their time in schools, professional development, and cross‑regional Fellow cohort gatherings. This includes feedback from the Host Principal, the Regional Superintendent of Instruction, and the Senior Director of School Support.

By fully integrating 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 will manage the complexity of scenarios that occur at a school. They will work with their Host Principal and the Senior Director of School Support 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 to demonstrate a leadership presence and readiness to lead while being fully immersed within a school.

Principal Fellows join our Principals in monthly, cross‑regional professional development. They also attend cohort‑specific workshops, allowing intimate practice and direct application to their school immersion.

• Passionate commitment to the mission of Uncommon Schools;
• Passionate commitment to expanding 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 navigate difficult conversations and hold staff, scholars, and families accountable in a supportive manner;
• Ability to develop and maintain a strong staff culture 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 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;
  • At least 1 year of experience coaching, leading, and/or…