Lower School Principal JFCA

BASIC PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Above all, to grow closer to Jesus Christ. Through intentional, daily time with the Lord, seek to keep Jesus Christ as the priority of your life, realizing that prayer, Bible study, and Christian discipleship are essential to growing in God’s will each day.
2. Seek to emphasize quality, Christ-centered relationships for both family and friends. We therefore highly encourage a strong work-life balance for our team members.
3. Actively seek to be an individual who emphasizes a spirit of teamwork, flexibility, and quality in all aspects of daily work.

JOB SUMMARY 

• The Lower School Principal is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and day-to-day operations of the Lower School (Kindergarten through 7th grade) at JFCA. This role requires a dynamic leader who will foster a Christ-centered learning environment, ensuring all students' growth in academics, faith, and community. The principal will collaborate closely with teachers, parents, and the broader school community to cultivate an environment that nurtures both academic and spiritual development in alignment with JFCA’s mission and vision.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

• Leadership – Lead the K-7 school community by modeling Godly character to nurture growth in students, families, and staff in alignment with JFCA’s mission and vision. Provide support for faculty and staff in integrating their faith with learning across all areas of the school.
• Academics – Develop, implement, and evaluate curriculum and instructional strategies for K-7 students while fostering and promoting ongoing professional development for teachers to deliver quality, effective, and missional education. Adhere to and deliver an academic program meeting all state and accreditation standards and requirements.
• Faculty & Staff – Lead, motivate, and mentor faculty and staff to promote a team environment conducive to collaboration and a positive setting for Kingdom education. Regularly evaluate and observe teaching staff and provide constructive feedback to support continued professional growth. Lead the hiring, onboarding, and training of new faculty members ensuring commitment to mission the of JFCA.
• Family Engagement – Develop and maintain strong relationships with students and parents to ensure open communication, involvement, and growth. Address any disciplinary issues, in cooperation with the Assistant Head of School, to foster discipleship and development of Godly character in students. Actively engage in and assist in admissions, new family onboarding, and the hosting of regular parent meetings and conferences to maintain open dialogue for student progress and growth.
• Assessment & Continuous Improvement – Assess and track student progress through appropriate tools, standardized assessments, and observations. Utilize data to make informed decisions regarding instructional practices, student support, and continuous improvement of the hybrid model to support the family toward academic and spiritual outcomes.
• Other – Responsibilities and duties as assigned by the Head of School. Support the Senior Pastor and collaborate with church staff.

TEAM VALUES & CRITICAL SKILLS  

• Team Values
  • Trust – We are for one another. We have the courage to offer and receive honest thoughts and feedback, while also protecting our relationships.
  • People-First – We believe that people are our first ministry priority. Events and programs are important only to the extent that they allow us to love and serve people.
  • Health – We desire to be the healthiest version of ourselves: relationally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. 
  • Collaboration – Our overall mission and vision drive what we do. We work hard to destroy ministry silos and believe that we are better when we work together.
  • Development – We desire to grow and improve in our work. We strive to multiply our impact by training and developing others to follow God’s calling. 

• Critical Skills
  • Ability to build rapport and manage conflict biblically through effective communication skills in large settings or one-on-one meetings. Quick and sound decision-making based on facts and supported by the philosophy and mission of the school.
  • Protect the confidentiality of records and information gained as part of exercising professional duties and use discretion in sharing such information within legal confines. 
  • Work effectively in a team environment and independently through self-motivation, personal responsibility, and a desire to joyfully serve God’s Kingdom through Christian education.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE 

• Master’s degree in education, administration, curriculum & instruction, teaching, or another related field to meet ACSI Certification requirements preferred. A related Bachelor’s degree with a willingness to complete an advanced degree may be considered. 
• Experience in leading, managing, and developing teams in a supervisory role.
• Educational background in teaching, administration, or leadership preferred. 
• Experience with various educational software including FACTS SIS, Canvas LMS, Raptor Tech, and others. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk or working on a computer.
• Must be comfortably able to work in both indoor and outdoor environments.
• Must be able to lift 15 or more pounds at time.