SAF STEM Campus Leadership Fellow/Principal - Lufkin Independent School District : Job Details

Position Type: Administration/Principal Date Posted: 5/6/2025 Location: Districtwide Job Title: SAF STEM Campus Leadership Fellow/ Principal Reports to: Superintendent of Schools Date Revised: 05/06/2025 Dept./School: Assigned Campus Primary Purpose:2025-2026 Lufkin ISD is seeking a dynamic and visionary Principal Fellow to lead the design and development of a new STEM-focused elementary school scheduled to launch in the 2026-2027 school year. This unique opportunity allows an experienced leader to shape a school that prepares students with the skills, knowledge, and mindset to thrive in a rapidly changing world - while reflecting the values, voice, and vision of the Lufkin community. During the 2025-2026 planning year, the Principal Fellow will collaborate with community stakeholders and district leaders to create an innovative STEM program rooted in best practices, district goals, and local needs. The Fellow will participate in a New School Design Fellowship, spending 20 hours per week developing the school model. The remaining 20 hours per week will be spent supporting academic outcomes and student success at Lufkin ISD, where they will contribute to current instructional priorities while preparing to lead the new campus. 2026-2027 Transition into the founding principal role of the new STEM elementary school. Direct and manage overall campus operations. Responsible for leadership of the campus instructional program ensuring high standards of instruction and student achievement, compliance with district policies, application of instructional programs, and effective operation of all campus activities. Qualifications: Education/Certification: Master's degree in educational administration Texas principal or other appropriate Texas certificate Certified T-TESS appraiser Special Knowledge/Skills: • Entrepreneurial & Innovative Mindset: Ability to design and launch new initiatives, think creatively, and problem-solve in complex environments. • Strong Elementary Leadership & Instructional Experience: Proven track record of improving student outcomes, developing teachers, and leading a school community with vision and results. • Community & Industry Partnership Building: Experience building authentic partnerships with families, community leaders, and industry to support student learning. Working knowledge of curriculum and instruction Ability to evaluate instructional program and teaching effectiveness Ability to manage budget and personnel Ability to implement policy and procedures Ability to interpret data Excellent organizational, communication, public relations, and interpersonal skills Experience: Two years experience as a classroom teacher One year experience in instructional leadership roles SAF STEM Campus experience (preferred) Major Responsibilities and Duties:SAF STEM Fellowship Responsibilities 1. Gathers, analyzes, and uses data to drive school level STEM programming decisions. 2. Facilitates and supports the development and implementation of a school-wide STEM vision, mission, goals, and action plan. 3. Is ultimately held accountable for meeting the goals of the STEM program and sustaining the program over time Holds faculty and staff accountable for meeting school-wide STEM goals. 4. Makes budgetary decisions and provides financial support for STEM at a building funding level (e.g. STEM human capital, resources and materials, experiential learning experiences for students, professional development, etc.) 5. Creates, communicates, and upholds protocols at the building-level (e.g. processes for acquiring STEM materials, grant writing, off-campus activities, etc.) 6. Engages in current STEM PD that is aligned with organizational goals and the professional learning needs of the individual; encourages and supports on-going STEM PD for teachers and staff 7. For school-based program implementation: a. Facilitates and guides STEM curricular decision-making. b. Leads building-wide STEM initiatives (or this can be delegated to the STEM Coach) c. Develops a master schedule that takes into consideration STEM teaching and learning needs. d. Schedules common planning time for teachers e. Acquires financial/ resource support for STEM learning experiences. f. Assesses STEM teaching/provides constructive feedback for improvement. 8. Builds and maintains relationships with family and community partners (school-based partnerships) 9. Communicates with stakeholders about the school's STEM programming information, activities, and data (e.g. successes, academic achievement, activities and events, etc.) 10. Advocates for building wide STEM needs at the district-level as well as regional, state, and national levels when appropriate. Instructional Management 1. Monitor instructional processes to ensure that program activities are related to outcomes and use findings to take corrective actions where necessary. 2. Provide instructional resources and materials needed to accomplish instructional goals. 3. Establish clear expectations for staff performance with regard to instructional strategies, classroom management, and communication with the public. 4. Foster collegiality and team building among staff members. Encourage their active involvement in decision-making process. 5. Solicit regular input from campus-level committee about planning, operation, supervision, and evaluation of campus education program. Include students and community representatives when appropriate. School or Organization Improvement 6. Build a common vision for school improvement with staff. Direct planning activities and implement programs to ensure attainment of school's mission. 7. Establish campus performance objectives for Academic Excellence Indicators using the campus planning process and involving site-based decision making committee. Demonstrate campus progress using results to promote school improvement. 8. Provide opportunities for interactive communication with superintendent, staff, students, parents, and community. Student Management 9. Work with faculty and students to develop a student discipline management system that results in positive student behavior and enhances the school climate. 10. Ensure that school rules are uniformly applied and that student discipline is appropriate and equitable in accordance with Student Code of Conduct and student handbook. 11. Conduct conferences about student and school issues with parents, students, and teachers. Management of Fiscal, Administrative, and Facilities Functions 12. Comply with district policies, state and federal laws, and regulations affecting schools. 13. Develop and administer campus budgets based on documented program needs and estimated enrollment ensuring that operations are cost effective and funds are managed wisely. 14. Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents required including accurate and timely reports of maximum attendance to requisition textbooks. 15. Manage use of school facilities. Oversee maintenance of facilities to ensure a clean, orderly, and safe campus. [Secondary Principals: Direct and manage extracurricular and intramural programs including management of multiple activity funds.] Personnel Management 16. Select, train, supervise, and evaluate staff and make recommendations relative to assignment, retention, discipline, and dismissal. Approve all personnel assigned to campus. 17. Observe employee performance, record observations, and conduct evaluation conferences with staff. 18. Coach staff and help them identify and develop appropriate professional growth opportunities as well as accomplish improvement goals. 19. Work with campus-level planning and decision-making committees to plan professional development activities. School or Community Relations 20. Articulate the school's mission to the community and solicit its support in realizing the mission. 21. Demonstrate awareness of school and community needs and initiate activities to meet those needs using appropriate and effective techniques to encourage community and parent involvement. Customer Care Skills 22. Provide professional communication with students, parents, community members, staff, and other professionals at all times. 23. Use proper phone etiquette at all times, speaking slowly and clearly. Take reliable messages, and route to the appropriate staff. 24. Ensure superior customer care skills are used via eye contact, facial expressions, voice inflections, body language, and an attitude of going the extra mile for others. 25. Ensure all requests for information are dealt with in an appropriate timeframe. 26. Create and maintain a welcoming, service-oriented environment toward all internal and external customers. Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervise, evaluate, and recommend the hiring and firing of staff assigned to campus including assistant principal(s), teachers, counselor(s), librarian(s), instructional aides, clerical support staff, and custodians. Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors: Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment including personal computer and peripherals. Posture: Frequent sitting and standing; occasional bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting Motion: Repetitive hand motions; frequent keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching Lifting: Occasional light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds) Environment: May work prolonged or irregular hours; work inside and outside (exposure to sun, heat, cold, and inclement weather), exposure to noise; occasional district wide and statewide travel Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress Additional Job Information: Applying for this posting places your name in a pool of applicants who wish to be considered for this position. All applications will be reviewed. Not all applicants will be interviewed. 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 FMLA regulations require all employers to post the updated FMLA notice. LISD reserves the right to not fill positions if it is determined by the Superintendent to not be in the best interest of the district.