Founded in 1912 as an adoption agency, Canopy Childrens Solutions is Mississippi's most comprehensive nonprofit provider of children's behavioral health, educational, and social service solutions. Canopy employs a diverse group of mission-driven individuals committed to honoring the voice of Mississippi children and families. Being an integral part of the Canopy team involves committing to the Core Values that drive our organization forward:
Canopy has been recognized as a Great Place to Work for the fifth consecutive year and is one of only nine companies in Mississippi to earn this certification for 2025-2026. At Canopy, employees are committed to fostering a healthy workplace culture built on trust and driven by a shared mission: helping children thrive and empowering families to overcome extraordinary challenges.
We offer a comprehensive benefits package for all eligible full-time employees. Benefits include, but are not limited to:
Position Overview
The Principal is responsible for administration of the CARES School - Biloxi educational services. The Principal works with the staff to plan, organize and implement school activities and services, including operations, curriculum, scheduling, staff development, and development of individual education plans. The Principal maintains good relationships with students, staff, and parents. The Principal complies with established lines of authority.
Physical Responsibilities:
Required Physical Activities:
sitting, standing, walking, reaching, pushing, pulling, grasping, lifting, talking, seeing, hearing, kneeling, stooping, bending, reaching overhead, and climbing stairs as needed and repetitive motions.
Must have the physical ability to assist in the physical or therapeutic hold of youth when required, following organization approved safety protocols.
Characteristics of Work:
Frequent standing and walking, occasional sitting, lifting and carrying objects up to 50 pounds.
Must be able to respond quickly to emergencies and physically assist or support youth and/or staff.
Vision Requirements:
Close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
Environmental Conditions:
This job requires exposure to both inside and outside weather conditions; the typical noise level for the work environment is moderate to loud noise.
Job Responsibilities:
Educational Responsibilities
Administrative Support
Principal Responsibilities
Implement the school curriculum for students.
Reports to the Regional Director, regarding the needs of the school with respect to personnel, equipment, supplies and curriculum.
Furnishes the necessary supplies and instructional aides to staff for the improvement of instruction.
Participates in and/or leads curriculum development activities commensurate with school and organization goals.
Identifies curricular and extracurricular needs by analyzing current programs and student achievement.
Regularly uses the results of student assessment data to identify problems and implement program improvements and/or pacing.
Emphasizes student achievement as the primary outcome of schooling.
Works with staff to systematically identify and respond to at risk students; makes referrals to appropriate organization personnel when needed.
Models and facilitates good human relations skills; effectively interacts with others.
Works to effectively:
Coordinate teacher and student schedules to promote maximum learning and minimize conflict.
Maintain high visibility in the school.
Provide for adequate supervision and acceptable student behavior at all school functions planned and operated by school personnel.
Responsible for the recruiting, screening, hiring, training, and evaluation of the school's professionals, Behavioral-Educational Interventionist, support staff, volunteers and interns.
Listens and responds to staff, student, and community concerns.
Develops communications that reflect and support management team decisions in the implementation of Canopy Children's Solutions policies.
Effectively utilizes community resources and volunteers to promote student learning.
Identifies problem areas and seeks solutions before crisis situations develop.
Effectively delegates decision making and problem solving to appropriate personnel.
Delegates' authority to responsible personnel to assume responsibility for the school in the absence of the principal.
Ensure that the requirements for the Educable Child Program are met.
Submit Tuition Reimbursement Applications quarterly to the Department of Education.
Submit quarterly attendance data, reimbursement reports, and invoices to MDE.
Submit application and reimbursement forms for Extended School Year annually.
Meet accreditation requirements and complete process to maintain accreditation on an annual basis.
Supervises the cleanliness, maintenance and security of the building and all of its contents.
Organization and Community Training
Required Qualifications:
Minimum of BS/BA degree in Education, or related field, with a Special Education concentration preferred.
Master's in Special Education preferred.
License in Education Administration required.
Three years teaching/supervision experience dealing with children and adolescents with learning and emotional problems.