Principal; Jackson, TN

School Principal Fellows Program

The School Principal Fellows program will support the Founding Jackson School Principals in developing the skills and mindset necessary to lead a high-performing charter school. The fellowship will primarily be based in Memphis for the 2026-27 school year and will transition to a full time Principal role in Jackson, TN for the 2027-28 school year.

The principal fellow is part of the school's leadership team and acts as a Vice Principal. This emerging school leader will be immersed in a comprehensive one-year school-based fellowship program, shadowing a Gestalt Community Schools mentor principal while completing special projects and assignments required to fulfill the program. The program requirements will determine leadership responsibilities and strongly emphasize the areas of strength and opportunity of the fellow and the school assigned.

The principal fellowship pathway at Gestalt Community Schools is designed to cultivate effective school leaders through a structured program. To successfully transition into a principal role, principal fellows must meet specific criteria, including:

• Successful Program Completion:
  Candidates must complete all required components of the principal fellows program. This includes coursework, hands-on leadership experiences, and mentorship opportunities that equip them with the skills needed for effective school leadership.
• Scoring "Effective" in All
  
  Competencies:
  
  Candidates are assessed using a Leadership Framework that outlines the competencies necessary for successful school leadership. To be eligible for a principal position, candidates must score "effective" or higher in each competency, demonstrating their readiness to lead a school.

By fulfilling these requirements, candidates can effectively prepare themselves for the challenges and responsibilities of being a principal within the Gestalt Community Schools network, pending vacancies within Gestalt Community Schools.

Competencies

Lever 1:
Data-Driven Instruction

• Drive Results Through Data Use interim assessments and class-level data to ensure all students are on track to meet performance goals.
• Build a Data-Driven Culture Establish consistent systems (meetings, calendars, PD) so teachers regularly analyze data and adjust instruction.
• Lead Effective Data Meetings (See It, Name It, Do It) Guide teams to identify trends, pinpoint root causes, plan re-teach, and follow through with strong action plans.

Lever 2:
Planning & Instructional Culture

• Ensure Lesson Fidelity Guarantee all teachers have aligned, high-quality plans and are prepared to execute them effectively.
• Drive Aggressive Monitoring Build systems where teachers actively track student thinking and adjust in real time.
• Strengthen Response to Data Ensure classrooms consistently respond to errors through reteach, discourse, and mastery checks.
• Build Strong Academic Habits Develop consistent expectations for writing, discussion, and academic language across classrooms.

Lever 3:
Observation & Feedback

• See It (Identify the Gap) Accurately diagnose the highest-leverage instructional gap using clear models and exemplars.
• Name It (Action Step) Provide precise, bite-sized, observable action steps that target the root issue.
• Do It (Practice & Follow-Up) Ensure teachers practice, refine, and implement changes with accountability and clear timelines.
• Maximize Feedback Impact Increase frequency, quality, and responsiveness of coaching to improve teacher performance.

Lever 4:
Professional Development

• Plan Purposeful PD Design sessions aligned to school priorities with clear objectives and strong See It–Name It–Do It structure.
• Prioritize Practice Ensure teachers actively practice key skills with feedback during PD.
• Facilitate for Impact Lead sessions that engage participants, drive ownership, and lead to clear outcomes.
• Ensure Follow-Through Build accountability systems so PD translates into classroom implementation.

Lever 5:
Student Culture

• Identify and Address Culture Gaps Use walkthroughs and data to pinpoint and prioritize key behavior and culture needs.
• Plan and Launch Systems Explicitly teach, model, and practice routines and expectations school wide.
• Mon…