Elementary School Principal

St Martha School, in Okemo, MI, is seeking a full-time principal as a servant leader under the pastor of St. Martha Parish. The principal will enthusiastically share a zeal for learning and a passion for the Gospel, while embodying the school’s mission, values, and vision within the lens of the Catholic intellectual tradition. As a disciple of Jesus Christ, the principal will develop relationships of sincere care, trust, and leadership support with staff, parents, families, and students of St. Martha School. Above all, the principal will demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ in teaching, serving, and living a sacramental life. The principal will shepherd students by helping them to live in light of our school mission, by partnering with parents to root students in the Gospel teachings of Jesus Christ, modeled by Mary our mother, encouraging a virtuous life following the Catholic faith and pursuing academic excellence. The principal will exhibit administrative competence and efficiency in ensuring that the school finances and records are maintained in good order, budgets are met, and timely and accurate communication with stakeholders is maintained.

Catholic schools in the Diocese of Lansing exist to serve parents in their duty as primary educators to form young people in knowledge, wisdom, and virtue so that they develop into happy, holy adults who fulfill their God-given potential in this world and become saints in the next. The schools are to be prayerful communities of witness, evangelization, and discipleship, where the distinctively Christian way of life is modeled, taught, and lived. In every respect the schools are to be grounded in truth and Christ who is the Truth.

Roles and Responsibilities

* Demonstrates loyalty to the school and support of its mission, values, and vision within the lens of the Catholic intellectual tradition.
* Demonstrates ongoing growth in understanding of and commitment to the Catholic liberal arts philosophy and pedagogies, and articulates them clearly to teachers, students, and parents.

Day-to-Day Operations 

* Provides leadership of direction and decision making for all staff, faculty, and administrative positions.
* Oversees enforcement of all school policies, code of conduct, and state and federal regulations for     staff, faculty, and students.
* Oversees overall management of day-to-day school operations, as appropriate, delegating to and       overseeing other staff members.
* Works with the parish maintenance staff regarding day-to-day operational items and facility maintenance.
* Serves as primary liaison with the Parent Service Organization.
* Works with the Director of Operations to execute all budget planning and oversee operational finances, under the authority of the Parish Finance Council.
* Builds and sustains positive relationships with parish staff to promote unity between the church and school, and fulfills all other tasks delegated by the pastor.
* Coordinates and collaborates with school staff, the Director of Operations, and the pastor to ensure thorough preparation for the MANS accreditation process.

Faculty Development

* Conducts classroom observations of teachers in alignment with diocesan guidelines, offering coaching, modeling, and feedback to promote professional growth and instructional excellence.
* Conducts faculty/staff meetings and ensures continued staff growth in Catholic liberal arts and the Catholic intellectual tradition via in-house formation or partnership with outside services.
* Annually conducts Performance Evaluations for each staff and faculty member.
* Makes formal recommendations and final approval of changes of curricular resources, texts, documents in consultation with the faculty.
* Identifies and arranges for annual professional development training in curriculum and pedagogy.
* Leads, serves on, and has final approval with the pastor on the faculty hire recommendations of interview committees.
* In collaboration with the Director of Operations, oversees the operational aspects of onboarding staff and faculty (e.g., payroll, Child Protection Program, etc.), and issues all offers of employment, renewals, and adjustments.
* Where necessary, tasked with terminating staff/faculty in conjunction and cooperation with the pastor.

Student Services

* Oversees and conducts interviews with prospective students and their families focusing on background in the Catholic faith, academic readiness, and social maturity.
* Develops and maintains positive relationships with students, functions as an authoritative and engaged presence in the school, especially between classes, during lunch, and at the beginning and end of the day.
* Functions as the primary communicator with the student and his/her parents in cases of serious misconduct and supports faculty in all necessary communication with students and parents in cases of lesser misconduct or academic struggles.

Communication

* Meets weekly with the pastor to provide updates on current school activities and needs, and to arrange priestly support of school religious formation and activities.
* Provides a weekly, all-parent newsletter with current school activities, events, and cultural formation.
* Establishes and maintains open lines of communication with individual students and parents concerning students’ academic, social, and behavioral progress.
* Leads, supports, and encourages faculty and staff in carrying out their responsibilities, regularly listening and responding to concerns, offering advice on how to address behavioral and academic issues, and facilitating cooperation and collaboration among staff members.
* Maintains conduct, speech, and demeanor befitting a disciple of Christ and Principal of St. Martha School in public conduct and conversation.

Safety/Security

* In collaboration with the pastor and the Director of Operations, is responsible for the emergency management plan of the school and periodically reviews and updates safety/security policies and procedures.
* Communicates with the Chief of Police and Chief of the Fire Department.
* In collaboration with the Facilities Manager, ensures the LockOut Smart Boot system is maintained and functional.
* Schedules and leads periodic lockdown, fire, and tornado drills.
* Serves as an engaged member of the Safety and Security Committee, collaborates in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of safety and security measures, and consistently attends and participates in all committee meetings.

Fundraising

* Works with the pastor and Director of Operations to plan, coordinate, and execute an annual auction.
* Solicits volunteers to form committees to aid in the planning, coordination, and execution of an annual fundraiser.

Abilities, Knowledge, and Experience

* Engaging communicator who builds strong relationships.
* Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and coordinate teams.
* Confident public speaker.
* Strong organizational, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
* Proficient in computer applications, financial procedures, and education related legal requirements.
* Knowledge of school health, safety, emergency, and child welfare policies.
* Experience in classroom teaching, curriculum development, and classroom management.
* Experience in classroom teaching and curriculum development.
* Master’s degree preferred; bachelor’s degree required.

Interested candidates are asked to please submit the online application and attach a Curriculum Vitae and Letter of Introduction.