Assistant Principal

Title:

Assistant Principal

Location:

Chicago, IL

Reports To:

Principal

Salary:
Starting at $90,000, commensurate with experience

Employee Type:
Regular Full Time

Start Date:

August 2026

Distinctive Schools creates diverse, joyful, welcoming communities rooted in social justice and rigorous learning. We support all learners to be engaged, curious, and to achieve their full potential. Our students become confident advocates, creative problem-solvers, and collaborative leaders.

Position Overview

The Assistant Principal is a self-driven and motivated educational leader whose philosophy and beliefs align with Distinctive Schools mission, vision and values. The Assistant Principal has a keen instructional lens and is able to provide targeted and actionable feedback.

Primary outcomes of the role is to:

* Implement the DS instructional coaching model by supporting and fostering the development of teachers and instructional coaches

* Facilitate and monitor the formal and informal observation processe

* Oversee all MTSS efforts and processes to support student learning including data, planning, and problem-solving meetings

* Support school-wide academic and social and emotional learning to reinforce safe, joyful, and personalized learning environments

Responsibilities

School Culture 10%

* Build and foster a culture of belonging, joy, and a positive climate

* Honor stakeholder perspective as key to the decision-making process

* Cultivate a strengths-based and, equity-focused mindset

* Celebrate individual and collective growth towards goals

* Promote a safe, supportive, and collaborative working environment with an equity-conscious mindset.

* Establish professional rapport with and maintain visibility with stakeholders

* Lead the equity work of the campuses and engage in culturally responsive, student-centered decision making

* Develop positive and professional relationships

* Create and implement consistent routines, procedures, and expectations

Instructional Leadership 60%

* Serve as the model for instructional and social-emotional best practices

* Serve as a member of the schools Instructional Leadership Team (ILT) to support alignment, including and performing other ILT duties (in Professional Learning and Leadership)

* Execute and monitor the campus growth plan in alignment with DS strategic plan in partnership with the School Principal

* Develop, implement, and oversee specific projects based on the unique needs of the campus and in alignment with the campus growth plan efforts, and student-centered learning initiatives in partnership with ILT

* Oversee campus implementation of DS MTSS processes, protocols, and tools with ongoing collaboration with network teams

* Uphold and support successful implementation of core curriculum and assessments

* Meet regularly with Teacher Leaders and Teachers weekly in accordance with DS model with the Instructional Coaches individually at least bi-weekly to prioritize coaching caseload and determine action steps

* Provide actionable feedback to teachers and teacher leaders to support their professional growth and development and ensure follow-through

* Meet with the Mentor Teachers individually or as a team at least monthly to problem-solve and determine action steps

* Provide goal-oriented feedback to Teachers, including Instructional Coaches and Mentors, to support their professional growth and development

* Conduct formal observations in adherence to regional expectations and protocols

* Coordinate and oversee all required testing administration in partnership with the Principal and Director of Data and Assessment

* Plan and present ongoing professional development and collaborative planning sessions

* Oversee the implementation and data analysis of instructional technology and online programs

* Monitor and ensure staff adherence to the norms outlined in the DS Professional Expectations and Responsibilities

* Conduct daily teacher observations and classroom visits and provide real-time, high-leverage feedback to improve student achievement and instructional effectiveness

Instructional Coaching 10%

* Exemplify and support the DS instructional coaching model, including facilitation of deep coaching cycles based on teacher need and experience

* Move the performance of individual Teachers through goal-setting, observation, co-teaching, modeling, and goal-specific feedback

* Model specific teaching skills or strategies for teachers through the use of video and classroom instruction

* Create coaching tools (e.g., checklists, observation protocols, conversation agendas, etc.) to support each teachers progress towards and achievement of the goal

* Support the Lead Instructional Coach in prioritizing the needs of teachers who need intensive and ongoing support (i.e., first-year teachers)

* Provide weekly (minimum) coaching for those teachers actively participating in a deep coaching cycle, including those on a Direct Support Plan (DSP)

* Document and model documentation of deep coaching work

* Monitor instructional coaching…