KIPP DC
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Principal in Residence (SY26 - 27)
role at
KIPP DC
Organizational Overview For 25 years, KIPP DC has partnered with students, families, and the community to create joyful, academically excellent schools across the nation’s capital. Today, our network of 22 schools educates more than 7,500 students in grades PreK–3 to 12, supported by 1,500 dedicated teachers, leaders, and staff. Our work is grounded in five pillars—Academic Excellence, Joy & Sense of Belonging, Highly Effective Teachers and Leaders, Safe, Structured, and Nurturing Learning Environments, and Commitment to College Readiness—ensuring every student is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to pursue success in college, careers, and beyond.
Program And Role Overview The KIPP DC Principal in Residence (PIR) program is a two-year, regionally operated residency designed to prepare aspiring principals in the adaptive, technical, and managerial skills required to lead a KIPP DC school. PIRs are full‑time members of their residency school’s leadership team and will have daily opportunities to practice the skills and competencies necessary to lead high‑performing schools. The PIR’s role mirrors that of a vice‑principal for most of the program, leading instruction and school culture for subsets of teachers and students in specific grade levels or departments. Toward the end of their residency, PIRs take on more school‑level responsibilities, fully owning key leadership tasks. PIRs also actively develop the leadership skills outlined in the PIR Core Skills, seeking growth through professional development, coaching, and cohort‑based learning experiences with leaders across KIPP DC.
Key Responsibilities Vision & Goals
Support development of the School Leader’s school‑wide vision and mobilize teachers to achieve collective school goals; own the implementation of selected priorities that align with the vision.
With guidance from the School Leader, lead planning and goal setting for grades/departments and ensure alignment with school‑wide goals.
Set, communicate, and execute a vision for a school‑wide initiative that addresses an inequity.
Connect team vision, goals, and actions to KIPP DC’s commitment to becoming an anti‑Racist organization.
Plan & Prioritize
Prioritize and manage own time to accomplish short‑ and long‑term goals.
Demonstrate strong judgment and data‑based, timely decision‑making.
Act decisively to overcome barriers and make difficult choices with long‑term and short‑term impact in mind.
School Culture
Set a vision of excellence for student and staff culture with the School Leader and execute plans to uphold it.
Build positive, affirming, and joyful student culture across teams.
Build an inclusive grade‑level, department, or school‑wide environment for special populations.
Manage parts of daily school operations (e.g., arrival/dismissal, lunch/recess).
Act as the first Leadership Team contact on student intervention and family communication; determine appropriate next steps and follow‑ups.
Plan for and predictably respond to student behavior that does not meet culture expectations; coach and support teachers to empower them to do the same.
Maintain calm and poise in unpredictable, potentially stressful situations with students.
Instructional Leadership
Establish and communicate experiential and academic goals for students.
Demonstrate strong student achievement results across classrooms that PIR coaches.
Understand curriculum, pedagogical practices, standards, lesson plans, unit plans, and assessments across multiple grade levels or departments.
Collaborate with other coaches and leaders to support teachers in instruction and assessment and connect teachers with resources to improve content knowledge.
Participate in ongoing learning to build knowledge outside of own content area expertise.
Lead data‑driven instruction by analyzing homeroom‑specific and grade/department‑level data and developing and executing plans to address gaps.
Lead a culture where general educators, special educators, and other team members collaborate to meet the needs of unique learners.
Talent
Build trusting, strong relationships with teachers and staff as foundations for development and management work.
Capture sharp, meaningful evidence during observations.
Ground feedback and next steps for teachers in student impact and data.
Identify high‑leverage coaching focuses grounded in student impact, transferability, context, and teacher match.
Develop, rely on, and refine systems that result in effective coaching of all teachers.
Identify academic gaps across grade levels or departments and develop and execute plans that improve student experiences and outcomes.
Communicate regularly with the principal about progress, strengths, areas of growth, and potential trajectories of individual team members.
Understand and practice fair and legal employment practices.
Operations Management
Take the lead on staff‑facing, school‑based systems (e.g., testing, school schedule, arrival, dismissal).
Support the leadership team in executing school operational systems such as arrival, dismissal, mealtimes, and attendance.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree.
Minimum of five years combined of lead teaching and school‑level leadership experience (with at least one year of school‑level leadership in addition to the current school year).
Demonstrated academic results.
Demonstrated leadership, management, and coaching experience.
One year of experience as a vice‑principal or equivalent role (preferred).
Experience teaching core subjects (ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, Special Education) (preferred).
Unquestioned integrity and commitment to KIPP DC’s mission and to advancing its anti‑racist ambition through work with staff, students, alumni, and families.
Competencies
Student Focus: Builds strong relationships, holds high expectations, keeps students’ best interests in mind, and builds a culture of respect.
Results Driven: Communicates excellence, sets challenging goals, takes initiative, follows through, and demonstrates resilience.
Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Demonstrates strong judgment, data‑based decisions, gathers information, anticipates problems, and encourages innovative ideas.
Self‑Awareness: Understands own identity, strengths, and weaknesses; seeks feedback; accepts assistance.
Equitable Practices: Believes equity is a continuous lens; defines and communicates beliefs around racial and educational equity.
Impact and Influence: Communicates the “why” to stakeholders, adapts leadership style, and demonstrates a growth mindset.
Empowering Others: Listens, builds trust, promotes collaboration, and is responsive to team needs.
Compensation and Benefits
Principal in Residences are on the Vice‑Principal salary scale: starting at $113,827, increasing with experience, and eligible for up to $5,000 in renewal add‑ons each year they return to KIPP DC.
Robust benefits package including medical, dental, vision, voluntary benefits, short‑term and long‑term disability, life insurance, and a One Medical membership.
403(b) retirement account with employer contributions and match, vesting after three years.
Equal Employment Opportunity Employer KIPP DC Public Schools does not discriminate against, or tolerate discrimination against, employees or applicants for employment on any legally‑recognized basis or protected class including, but not limited to, race, color, national origin, immigration status, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, genetic information, political affiliation, pregnancy, family responsibilities, or veteran status. KIPP DC’s non‑discrimination policy and Title IX Coordinator’s contact information can be reviewed by clicking the provided links. Please note: If you encounter difficulties submitting your application or fail to receive a confirmation email after applying, kindly reach out to Danica Cunningham at danica.cunningham@kippdc.org. Please include your name, resume, and specify the role you are applying for in your email. We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience caused.
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Principal in Residence (SY26 - 27)
role at
KIPP DC
Organizational Overview For 25 years, KIPP DC has partnered with students, families, and the community to create joyful, academically excellent schools across the nation’s capital. Today, our network of 22 schools educates more than 7,500 students in grades PreK–3 to 12, supported by 1,500 dedicated teachers, leaders, and staff. Our work is grounded in five pillars—Academic Excellence, Joy & Sense of Belonging, Highly Effective Teachers and Leaders, Safe, Structured, and Nurturing Learning Environments, and Commitment to College Readiness—ensuring every student is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to pursue success in college, careers, and beyond.
Program And Role Overview The KIPP DC Principal in Residence (PIR) program is a two-year, regionally operated residency designed to prepare aspiring principals in the adaptive, technical, and managerial skills required to lead a KIPP DC school. PIRs are full‑time members of their residency school’s leadership team and will have daily opportunities to practice the skills and competencies necessary to lead high‑performing schools. The PIR’s role mirrors that of a vice‑principal for most of the program, leading instruction and school culture for subsets of teachers and students in specific grade levels or departments. Toward the end of their residency, PIRs take on more school‑level responsibilities, fully owning key leadership tasks. PIRs also actively develop the leadership skills outlined in the PIR Core Skills, seeking growth through professional development, coaching, and cohort‑based learning experiences with leaders across KIPP DC.
Key Responsibilities Vision & Goals
Support development of the School Leader’s school‑wide vision and mobilize teachers to achieve collective school goals; own the implementation of selected priorities that align with the vision.
With guidance from the School Leader, lead planning and goal setting for grades/departments and ensure alignment with school‑wide goals.
Set, communicate, and execute a vision for a school‑wide initiative that addresses an inequity.
Connect team vision, goals, and actions to KIPP DC’s commitment to becoming an anti‑Racist organization.
Plan & Prioritize
Prioritize and manage own time to accomplish short‑ and long‑term goals.
Demonstrate strong judgment and data‑based, timely decision‑making.
Act decisively to overcome barriers and make difficult choices with long‑term and short‑term impact in mind.
School Culture
Set a vision of excellence for student and staff culture with the School Leader and execute plans to uphold it.
Build positive, affirming, and joyful student culture across teams.
Build an inclusive grade‑level, department, or school‑wide environment for special populations.
Manage parts of daily school operations (e.g., arrival/dismissal, lunch/recess).
Act as the first Leadership Team contact on student intervention and family communication; determine appropriate next steps and follow‑ups.
Plan for and predictably respond to student behavior that does not meet culture expectations; coach and support teachers to empower them to do the same.
Maintain calm and poise in unpredictable, potentially stressful situations with students.
Instructional Leadership
Establish and communicate experiential and academic goals for students.
Demonstrate strong student achievement results across classrooms that PIR coaches.
Understand curriculum, pedagogical practices, standards, lesson plans, unit plans, and assessments across multiple grade levels or departments.
Collaborate with other coaches and leaders to support teachers in instruction and assessment and connect teachers with resources to improve content knowledge.
Participate in ongoing learning to build knowledge outside of own content area expertise.
Lead data‑driven instruction by analyzing homeroom‑specific and grade/department‑level data and developing and executing plans to address gaps.
Lead a culture where general educators, special educators, and other team members collaborate to meet the needs of unique learners.
Talent
Build trusting, strong relationships with teachers and staff as foundations for development and management work.
Capture sharp, meaningful evidence during observations.
Ground feedback and next steps for teachers in student impact and data.
Identify high‑leverage coaching focuses grounded in student impact, transferability, context, and teacher match.
Develop, rely on, and refine systems that result in effective coaching of all teachers.
Identify academic gaps across grade levels or departments and develop and execute plans that improve student experiences and outcomes.
Communicate regularly with the principal about progress, strengths, areas of growth, and potential trajectories of individual team members.
Understand and practice fair and legal employment practices.
Operations Management
Take the lead on staff‑facing, school‑based systems (e.g., testing, school schedule, arrival, dismissal).
Support the leadership team in executing school operational systems such as arrival, dismissal, mealtimes, and attendance.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree.
Minimum of five years combined of lead teaching and school‑level leadership experience (with at least one year of school‑level leadership in addition to the current school year).
Demonstrated academic results.
Demonstrated leadership, management, and coaching experience.
One year of experience as a vice‑principal or equivalent role (preferred).
Experience teaching core subjects (ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, Special Education) (preferred).
Unquestioned integrity and commitment to KIPP DC’s mission and to advancing its anti‑racist ambition through work with staff, students, alumni, and families.
Competencies
Student Focus: Builds strong relationships, holds high expectations, keeps students’ best interests in mind, and builds a culture of respect.
Results Driven: Communicates excellence, sets challenging goals, takes initiative, follows through, and demonstrates resilience.
Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Demonstrates strong judgment, data‑based decisions, gathers information, anticipates problems, and encourages innovative ideas.
Self‑Awareness: Understands own identity, strengths, and weaknesses; seeks feedback; accepts assistance.
Equitable Practices: Believes equity is a continuous lens; defines and communicates beliefs around racial and educational equity.
Impact and Influence: Communicates the “why” to stakeholders, adapts leadership style, and demonstrates a growth mindset.
Empowering Others: Listens, builds trust, promotes collaboration, and is responsive to team needs.
Compensation and Benefits
Principal in Residences are on the Vice‑Principal salary scale: starting at $113,827, increasing with experience, and eligible for up to $5,000 in renewal add‑ons each year they return to KIPP DC.
Robust benefits package including medical, dental, vision, voluntary benefits, short‑term and long‑term disability, life insurance, and a One Medical membership.
403(b) retirement account with employer contributions and match, vesting after three years.
Equal Employment Opportunity Employer KIPP DC Public Schools does not discriminate against, or tolerate discrimination against, employees or applicants for employment on any legally‑recognized basis or protected class including, but not limited to, race, color, national origin, immigration status, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, genetic information, political affiliation, pregnancy, family responsibilities, or veteran status. KIPP DC’s non‑discrimination policy and Title IX Coordinator’s contact information can be reviewed by clicking the provided links. Please note: If you encounter difficulties submitting your application or fail to receive a confirmation email after applying, kindly reach out to Danica Cunningham at danica.cunningham@kippdc.org. Please include your name, resume, and specify the role you are applying for in your email. We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience caused.
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