UNIVERSITY PREP
Position: Principal Resident (Principal-in-Training)

Our Mission:
Building a foundation of skills, knowledge and character, University Prep educates every scholar for a
four-year college degree and life of opportunity.

The Opportunity:
University Prep is in the midst of bringing its five-year strategic plan to life. As the network continues growing, it is
critical that we build a bench of incredible leaders who are ready to step into the Principal role. Principal
Residents prepare to lead an existing or new U Prep campus typically after 2 years of residency.

Why you’ll love us:
"We have been a part of the University Prep family from the beginning. Over the past school years, I've been so
proud to see my child grow, learn, and get the support that I feel every child should receive.” – U Prep Parent

In 2011, University Prep opened the doors to its first elementary campus. Fast forward 14 years and our founding
scholars are now enrolled in their first and second year of post-secondary programming. With nearly 90% of U Prep
alumni on track for post-secondary success, U Prep is living its mission. Our scholars represent a 3X difference when
compared with their peer group statewide (less than 30% are earning a degree or certificate following high school
graduation). Our alumni are beating the odds and pursuing their dreams and ambitions as they enter young adulthood and
make choices about their futures. We couldn’t be prouder of our now college-going alumni, but more importantly, they
couldn’t be prouder of themselves. Watch this video to hear from them directly and learn more about who we are as an
organization and why we exist.

While you may love us because of the depth of our commitment to our mission and the integrity we carry each day to
bring it to life, we believe your initial love will come from the investment we make in our people. Everything starts with our
care and commitment to the adults who lead our work. They are the game changes who make everything possible.

Our Investment in You:
Our compensation and benefits package includes, but is not limited to the following:

• Up to $6,000 in moving stipends and signing bonuses
• Highly competitive salary within the local market
  • $90,000 – $100,000 (*New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary
    between the range minimum and midpoint depending on experience, historic performance in
    leadership roles, and in alignment with internal equity)
  • 100% of medical benefit covered for all employees, and options to elect dental, vision, critical illness and accident benefits.
  • Up to $600 in contributions to a personal wellness account
• Participation in the Colorado PERA retirement program, including PERA 401K option
• Weekly personalized coaching and supports from our Principals and Principal Manager
• Engagement in multi-day and multi-week residencies at high performing public charter schools nationally

Why we’ll love you:
Do the following must haves resonate with how you’re wired? If so, we invite you to apply and can’t wait to learn more
about you!

You’re mission-driven. You believe educating all children from all backgrounds to grade level proficiency and
beyond is the priority of a school because achieving that ambition sets the stage for young people to live genuine
lives of opportunity.

You love working with people (big & little): Your experience in schools has taught you that an investment in adults
and their mindsets/skillsets makes all the difference for kids. You proactively build meaningful relationships, which
positions you to effectively support, motivate and push those you manage. You show your love and commitment to a
school’s little people through your love and commitment to its big people.

You never give up. When things feel impossible, you roll up your sleeves, stay calm and level-headed, and
carry an unyielding sense of optimism. You take on challenges and find a way to get to the finish line.

You want to be the best. You care deeply about mastering your craft and take full ownership over your growth and
development. You get a little better every day because you are invested in truly becoming the best at what you do.

You operate with deep humility. While you carry skills and knowledge from previous experiences, you
humbly reflect on new learning and are open to change if it means getting better. You ask questions, listen, and
learn from a wide range of stakeholders including families, team members and other leaders.

What you’ll do:

• Fully embody the mission and vision of University Prep along with the organization’s core values and lean in
  to our definitions of diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism.
• Directly manage the growth and development of a subset of instructional staff and instructional leaders.
  • Serve as an instructional coach for leaders and teachers through real-time coaching, regular
    observation and feedback cycles, data meetings, co-intellectual prep and additional supports in order
    to build capacity in others and ensure the instructional program achieves our ambitious goals.
• Build deep understanding of the responsibilities each leadership team member holds at the campus-level
  (Deans of Academics, Deans of Operations and Deans of Scholars) and how the leadership team functions
  as a unit to drive the school forward.
  • Includes learning about the responsibilities held by individuals operating under the Dean of
    Operations (i.e. Office Manager and Family Liaison Manager) and the Dean of Scholars (i.e. Dean of
    Scholars Associate).
• Develop skills in individual and team coaching & management in preparation for leading campus-based leaders in their streams of work and the oversight of their teams.
• Learn about U Prep’s approach to goal setting grounded in Lead & Lag Measures and participate in regular Progress to Goals meetings along with quarterly off-site retreats focused on driving critical outcomes forward.
• Plan and execute small group & staff-wide professional development as needed for individual or multiple campuses.
• Take on projects to develop new systems and/or best practices for the network to leverage in areas the organization may need to improve.
• Analyze scholar achievement data as well as teacher performance data on a variety of metrics, both quantitative and qualitative, and use information to collaborate with leaders on short- and long-term planning to enhance performance.
• Assist in coordination and management of all student assessments, including state assessments, interim assessments, and curriculum-based assessments.
• Manage assigned aspects of school-wide operational routines such as arrival/dismissal procedures, lunch, recess, transitions, community celebrations, etc. to not only build confidence in leading the execution of those routines, but a deep understanding of the rationale behind them.
• Develop, support and maintain a culture of high behavioral and academic expectations that ensures every child is in a position to engage with and learn challenging, grade-level content.
• Leverage school-wide PBIS systems that encourage a predictable and consistent learning environment, logical consequences and restorative practices that are supportive of scholar development.
• Learn key elements of organizational mindsets and school programming that support and uplift scholars with special needs and children who are multilingual learners.
• Directly communicate with families and oversee other staff members in their family communications to ensure a strong and healthy relationship between school and home.
• Participate in additional school-related activities including field trips, intensive academic support sessions, and other required programs as needed throughout year.
• Complete all administrative requirements before given deadlines.
• Work with your coach at enhancing key skills and mindsets aligned to the expectations of principalship.

Position Preferences & Requirements:

• Full commitment to, belief in, and alignment with mission and vision of University Prep.
• Full commitment to organization’s values, definitions of diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism, and core identity statement.
• Unyielding optimism that children can perform at or above grade level regardless of where they may be
  starting their educational journey and can all meet/exceed high behavioral expectations that support learning
  for all.
• Proven track record of successfully implementing Common Core standards-aligned curriculum in the
  elementary grades and coaching teachers with that content.
• Minimum of five years working in public education and preference for candidates who have a history of not
  only working in urban communities, but in driving significant gains in student growth & achievement.
• Evidence of success in building and sustaining positive staff, student and parent relationships.
• Demonstration of cultural competence and a humility/commitment to continue growing in this area.
• Openness to feedback and a strong desire for continual growth and development as a professional.
• Excellent verbal and written skills.
• Strong organizational skills including the ability to multi-task and prioritize.
• Experience and success with analyzing data, finding trends, and using a range of information to drive strategic decisions and build effective plans.
• Able to work full-time, including some evenings and weekends along with a “whatever it takes” disposition given the responsibilities of a leader to drive game changing results.
• Willingness to take full responsibility for scholar outcomes.
• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree (required)
• Bilingual - English/Spanish (preferred)

As an equal opportunity employer, University Prep hires without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national
origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability.