Principal, High School Pool

DeSoto ISD Job DescriptionJob Title: Principal , Secondary (High School) Reports to: Executive Director of School Leadership Pay Grade: Administrative/Professional 08Wage/Hour Status: Exempt Contract Days: 226Revision Date: March 2026 Funding Source: LocalPrimaryPurpose:The DeSoto ISD is actively searching for experienced school leaders who are passionately committed to improving educational options for all students, and who are prepared to take on the challenging work of systemic school change. The ideal candidates will have demonstrated successful experience creating strong school cultures and academic programs clearlyfocused on improvingteaching practice and measurable student achievement gains.Successful candidates must demonstrate strong instructional leadership skills, the ability to build authentic relationships with all stakeholders, and implement a clear vision that focuses on student achievement. The ideal candidate will be a confident administrator who can provide decisive management and vigorous leadership through the change process at each schoolQualifications:Education/Certification:degree in educational administrationTexasprincipalor other appropriate TexascertificateCertifiedTexasTeachers EvaluationSupportSystem(TTESS) appraiser (highly preferred)Experience:3-5 experience as asuccessful classroom teacher3years ofsuccessful experience in instructional leadership rolesDemonstratedknowledgeinEffectiveSchoolsFramework/Leverage Leadership 2.0Principalexperiencehighly preferredSpecial Knowledge/Skills:The Principal will have primary responsibility for establishing his or her school as an active learning center with a focus on student engagement,professionalsupport for teachers,instructional practices that lead to dramatic academic progress, and measurable results.OURVISIONTo inspire curiosity andconsciousness, develop character, buildcourage, and nurturecompassionOURMISSIONTo ensure students, without exception, learn and grow at their highest levelsOURVALUESEvery StudentWe hold an unwavering belief thateverystudentcan achieve interests drive our decisions, actions and behaviors.Unconditional Belonging Together,weareresponsible for cultivating a community where everyone feels they belong and are respected, cared for and safe.CourageousLearningWe seek growth, challenge andinnovationandembrace risk-takingasanecessarypart journey.Relentless EquityEach person has access to the resources and opportunities that meet their individualneeds in a way that allows themtoleveragetheir greatest strengths.CollectiveExcellenceWe foster integrity, accountability and hold high expectations of ourselves as we support each other and collaboratetowardsourvision.Community GreatnessWe are grounded in our connection, pride and partnerships with our communities.Throughourcollective strength, we support peopleto doandbe their best. Candidates should have: A passionate belief in the capacity of all children to learn and succeed coupled with a sense of urgency around executing high leverage leadership strategies that impact student outcomes Demonstrated success in increasing student achievement Experience working effectively with urban schools, students, families, and outsidepartn ers to build student academic proficiency An understanding of competency-based learning with an emphasis on , and the key role this model plays in student mastery and learner-centered experiences Personal sense of accountability around student academic progress, carried out through relentless professional development of staff and evaluation of teachers Ability to motivate and guide faculty in using data to inform instructional decisions as partners in creating a learner-centered school culture Possess the ability to manage the details and rigorous evaluation tasks required to meet transformational goals Consensus building, strategic and collaborative management skills, including the ability to manage the complex transformational process at the school building level Major Responsibilities and Duties: Strong School Leadership & Planning 1. Demonstrates personal and professional standards and conduct that enhance the image of the school and the educational profession 2. Develops shared vision of rigor and high expectations for all students 3. Ensures vision and mission drive school decisions 4. Confronts low expectations and develops solutions utilizing a growth mindset 5. Utilizes current technologies to communicate and support campus leadership teams 6. Demonstrates an understanding of the change process 7. Dedicated to strengthening personal professional growth through seeking and attending learning and collaboration opportunities that continuously model a commitment to excellence. 8. Develop professional learning networks within schools, as well as local, regional, national and international communities Effective Instruction 9. Utilizes the PLC process to drive data informed decisions, analyze data, determine the root cause for mastery and non-mastery, and implement plans for reteach and assessment 10. Creates, develops and sustains relationships that result in active student engagement in the learning process 11. Designs instructional systems and protocols to develop, coach, and monitor leadership teams 12. Leads and engages staff in shared vision for effective teaching and learning by implementing a standards-based curriculum, relevant to student needs and interests, research-based effective practice, academic rigor, and high expectations for student learning in every classroom 13. Ensures the development of high-quality lessons plans through the implementation of a submission, feedback, and revision process Effective, Well Supported Staff 14. Implements ongoing and proactive recruitment strategies that include a variety of sources for high-quality candidates 15. Establishes clear selection criteria, protocols, hiring and induction processes are 16. Develops targeted and personalized strategies to support and retain staff, particularly high-performing staff 17. Understands that teacher placements are strategic based on student need and teacher strengths 18. Relentless in building teacher capacity through observation and feedback cycles 19. Conducts crucial conversations based on student performance data for purpose of enhancing student learning 20. Ensures professional learning for teachers that enhance student learning Positive School Culture 21. Builds a culture of high aspirations and achievement for every student 22. Utilizes meaningful feedback of students, staff, families, and community in the evaluation of school programs and policies 23. Proactively engages families and communities in support of student learning goals 24. Requires staff and students to demonstrate consistent values and positive behaviors aligned to the vision and mission 25. Leads a school culture and environment that successfully develops the full range of learning capacities academic, creative, social- emotional, cultural, behavioral, and physical 26. Builds an environment that considers all aspects of wellness: physical, nutrition, health, safety, decisions, mental and physical well-being. High Quality Curriculum 27. Ensures fidelity of implementation with state and district curricula and assessments 28. Ensures time for corrective instruction is built into the teaching and learning cycle 29. Facilitates access to instructional resources and professional development 30. Creates and implements content-focused professional development 31. Purchases and aligns resources to improve teaching and learning Supervisory Responsibilities: Campus Assigned personnel. Working Conditions: Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors : Must maintain emotional control and exercise reasoning and problem solving skills while under stress. Must demonstrate ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written). Should be able to interpret procedures and analyze data for decision-making. Frequent in-district and occasional in-state or national travel. Occasional prolonged and irregular hours. Safety: Contribute to the prevention of accidents and injuries by observing safety rules and District policy, practicing the principles and skills taught in safety training, wearing personal protective equipment as required, reporting injuries and incidences immediately to supervisor, and being proactive in the ongoing efforts to improve and maintain workplace safety. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills that may be required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. DeSoto ISD does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age disability, military status, or on any other basis prohibited by law. qualifications, experience, and abilities. The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required. The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required. Approved by: Date Reviewed by: Date