Elementary Principal

Position: Elementary Principal (2026-2027)
Location: La Joya

Job Title: Elementary Principal Wage/Hour Status: Exempt

Reports to: Network Executive Director Pay Grade: PEI

Dept./School: Academics and School Leadership Initiated Date: March 2026

WHO WE ARE

La Joya Independent School District (ISD) is committed to excellence for students and our community. We have a strong, 100-year legacy in the Rio Grande Valley. The district's vision - Educational Excellence:
The Right of Every Student - conveys our urgent focus on students.

Our work is rooted in five district priorities, which require collaboration and deep commitment to supporting one another as we serve the community.

Customer Service

Trust & Transparency

High-Quality Instruction

Excellence in Leadership

Integrity & Accountability

We are focused on ensuring every student in La Joya ISD has access to a high-quality, best-fit school as we work to improve from a B-district to an A-rated district. We serve more than 22,000 students in more than 30 schools and span six municipalities, covering more than 220 square miles.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are seeking a Principal that can lead an elementary school to excellence. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated impact on student outcomes, accelerating student growth, building strong community relationships, creating a culture of support and excellence, and coaching and developing staff. You must have the commitment and urgency, and strategic system leadership skills needed to quickly establish excellence and build structures to sustain that excellence over time.

You will have to be skilled in adaptive change management in a very fast environment.

WHY LA JOYA ISD

You will be joining a district that is building on a legacy of achievement while rapidly improving and creating systems to reach new heights for student outcomes. You will receive intentional, targeted support in your leadership journey and have access to the highest-quality, research-based resources and instructional materials. We are also a district focused on continuous improvement and rigorous analysis of where we need to grow and learn.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Certification:

• Master's degree required; preferred in Education, Educational Leadership or related field
• Valid or eligible to receive Texas Principal Certification or MId-Management Certification
• Currently or eligible to become T-TESS certified

Experience:

• Minimum of three year's teaching experience
• Minimum of three year's experience as an Assistant Principal, preferred

Special Knowledge and Skills

• Proven success in leading a school or district community toward continuous improvement in academic goals with a relentless pursuit of academic excellence for all students
• Deep knowledge of curriculum and instruction as well as evidence-based practices in multiple content areas as applicable by grade levels
• Demonstrated leadership on district-wide committees and/or district-wide activities
• Proven experience to use and interpret data to inform decision-making processes that allow for intentional actions and lead to improved student/campus achievement
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral)
• Leadership, management, and organizational skills
• Experience with diverse populations
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred
• Proven success in leading a school or district community toward continuous improvement in academic goals with a relentless pursuit of academic excellence for all students

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Executive Leadership

Serve as a transformational leader working to create a best-in-class learning environment.

Participate in professional development and training to improve skills related to job assignment.

Foster collegiality and team building among staff members.

Provide for two-way communication with staff, students, parents, and community.

Demonstrate professional, ethical, and responsible behavior. Serve as a role model for all campus staff.

Develop and set annual campus performance objectives.

Lead the development of the campus improvement plan with staff, parents and community members.

Delegate leadership responsibilities as appropriate, ensuring strong systems of monitoring, support, and feedback for campus staff.

Instructional Leadership:

Promote the expectation for high-level performance from staff and students and recognize excellence and achievement.

Develop and monitor instructional and administrative processes to ensure that instructional practices are aligned to evidence-based practices and implemented with fidelity.

Ensure high-quality instructional materials and resources are implemented with fidelity.

Utilize campus data for corrective action leading to improvement, as well as for recognition of success.

Provide professional learning to support the teaching staff in accomplishing the school's instructional goals.

Evaluate and adjust educational programs and approaches to ensure rapid student acceleration.

Establish clear expectations for staff performance with regard to instructional strategies, classroom management, and communication with the…