Principal Mentor (Elementary and Secondary) - (2026-2027) - Posting #1863

Principal Mentor (Elementary and Secondary)

The Cheltenham School District announces the following contractual/hourly position(s) for the  school year:

Title:

Principal Mentor (Elementary and Secondary)

Reports To:

Superintendent or Designee

Terms:

Contractual/Hourly/Part-Time

Salary: $125 per hour

Location:

District-wide

Job Summary:

The Cheltenham School District seeks experienced and highly effective educational leaders to serve as Principal Mentors for elementary and secondary school administrators. Aligned with the district's mission, vision, and Strategic Plan, Principal Mentors will partner with school leaders to strengthen instructional leadership, organizational effectiveness, and leadership capacity while fostering learning environments where every student thrives.

Principal Mentors serve as trusted thought partners. Through coaching conversations, reflective practice, and leadership problem-solving, mentors support principals in deepening their instructional leadership, strengthening organizational systems, improving decision-making, and advancing continuous school improvement. The mentoring relationship is grounded in trust, inquiry, and professional growth while maintaining accountability for measurable leadership outcomes.

The Principal Mentor advances the district's commitment to excellence in teaching and learning by building the leadership capacity of school administrators through individualized coaching, systems thinking, and leadership development. The mentor supports principals in translating strategic priorities into sustainable leadership practices that positively impact teaching, learning, school culture, and student outcomes.

Time Commitment

This is a part-time, hourly position. While work hours may vary based on district needs and are subject to the district's discretion, Principal Mentors are expected to work approximately 2 to 5 hours per week.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Instructional Leadership

• Coach principals in developing and sustaining high-quality instructional programs.
• Support leaders in aligning instructional practices with district priorities and school improvement goals.
• Guide principals in the effective use of student achievement data to inform instructional decisions.
• Strengthen principals' ability to provide meaningful feedback to teachers through instructional supervision.
• Support implementation of evidence-based instructional practices and continuous improvement cycles.

Executive Coaching

• Establish trusting and collaborative coaching relationships.
• Utilize research-based coaching strategies that promote reflection, problem-solving, and professional growth.
• Serve as a strategic thought partner in navigating leadership challenges.
• Facilitate reflective conversations that strengthen leadership efficacy and decision-making.
• Promote adaptive leadership practices and continuous learning.

Systems Thinking and Organizational Leadership

• Assist principals in examining schools as interconnected systems.
• Support leaders in designing sustainable structures that improve organizational effectiveness.
• Guide principals in aligning people, processes, and resources with district strategic priorities.
• Help leaders identify systemic barriers and develop long-term solutions.
• Encourage proactive planning and strategic implementation.

Accountability and Continuous Improvement

• Support principals in establishing measurable leadership goals aligned with district priorities.
• Assist school leaders in developing implementation benchmarks and monitoring progress.
• Encourage evidence-based decision-making through the use of qualitative and quantitative data.
• Promote continuous cycles of reflection, implementation, monitoring, and refinement.

Secondary Responsibilities

• Principal Mentors will:
• Meet regularly with assigned principals according to an agreed-upon coaching schedule.
• Foster reflective practice while honoring the professional autonomy of each principal.
• Model professionalism, integrity, equity-centered leadership, and continuous improvement.

Communication with Central Office

Principal Mentors are expected to provide monthly progress updates to the district's central office. These updates should focus on:

• O…