Principal, Education Administration

Are you an experienced professional looking for new opportunities to further your career? The South Carolina Governor's School for Agriculture at John de la Howe is seeking a hardworking and dependable candidate just like you to apply! This position will offer great benefits with the state, including 15 days of annual and sick leave per year or more depending on applicable state service.

The Principal serves as the chief instructional and operational leader responsible for advancing SCGSA's mission as a statewide, residential, agriculture-focused high school. The Principal leads academic and agricultural programming, ensures academic excellence and authentic hands‑on agricultural learning, and establishes a professional, equitable, mission‑aligned culture. The Principal provides visible leadership across campus (classrooms, barns, greenhouses, land labs, and residential settings), strengthens staff morale and retention, and implements strong systems for accountability, efficiency, safety, and continuous improvement.

The Principal must work cohesively with the Farm, Residential Life, and Admissions department heads to ensure aligned operations, consistent communication, and a unified student‑centered experience across the campus.

Understand agricultural education operations-including production agriculture, livestock management, land‑based learning, and FFA/4‑H-as well as instructional leadership, curriculum alignment, assessment systems, and school culture within a residential agriculture focused campus. They must communicate effectively, lead staff through coaching and evaluation, engage diverse stakeholders, and demonstrate proficiency with key technology platforms. The role also requires the ability to lead in nontraditional environments, unify academic and agricultural teams, balance tradition with innovation, and consistently exercise sound judgment in complex operational and safety matters.

Works under limited supervision of the Agency Head/President and provides structure for staff across campus departments. Exercises significant independence and discretion in decision‑making related to instructional leadership, operations, culture, partnerships, and student well‑being. Interprets and applies state/federal policies and procedures and resolves complex issues involving multiple stakeholders.

• Supervises staff to include preparing performance planning and evaluation documents and related personnel paperwork. Coaches, counsels and trains employees. Establishes and monitors work processes. Implements management policies and initiatives and promotes teamwork.
• Instructional Leadership (Academic & Agricultural):
  • Ensure high-quality instructional practices across core academics and agriculture programming, including curriculum coherence, assessment systems, and student support.
  • Bridge silos between agriculture and core teachers by promoting blended teaching, shared expectations, and cross‑department collaboration.
  • Protect instructional time and establish efficient meeting and communication structures that respect planning workload.
  • Strengthen student outcomes through aligned instruction, consistent expectations, and supportive intervention systems.
• Culture, Professionalism, Equity & Student
  
  Experience:
  • Establish and model a culture of professionalism, high expectations, and consistent follow‑through across staff and operations.
  • Promote an equitable, culturally competent environment where all students have access to opportunity and rigorous expectations.
  • Address staff dissatisfaction and unprofessional behaviors promptly through coaching, clarity, and consistent accountability.
  • Strengthening school spirit and unity through trust‑building and improved internal communication.
  • Work cohesively with Farm, Residential Life and Admissions department heads.
• Staff Leadership, Development & Retention:
  • Recruit, develop, evaluate, and retain high‑performing educators and staff; implement strategies to reduce burnout and improve working conditions.
  • Build leadership capacity through distributed leadership, mentoring, and succession planning.
  • Provide ongoing coaching and support while…