Description
Purpose
At Washougal School District, we are guided by our 2026-2031 Strategic Plan to grow, enrich, and inspire the future. Our mission is to work together to develop responsible, collaborative, continuous learners who positively impact their community. We are seeking highly qualified educators and staff who value inclusive classrooms and are responsive to the needs of all students and families. We celebrate the diversity of our community and invite candidates from all backgrounds to join us in this work.
Job Summary
As the principal of a school, the position provides educational, instructional, and operational leadership. The principal is the model of integrity and ethical behavior for staff, students, parents, and key stakeholders. This leader is highly visible in classrooms, hallways, lunchrooms and playgrounds. Additionally, the principal is prepared to lead initiatives such as Professional Learning Communities (PLC), Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), Inclusionary Practices, and Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID).
Responsibilities include providing leadership aligned and committed to the District's Strategic Plan. The principal provides all aspects of the elementary school program, including teacher evaluation and professional development, curriculum development, supporting positive student behavior, school climate management, family communication and programming, student assessment and data analysis and maintaining positive staff relationships with all stakeholders of the Washougal School District. This position reports directly to the Superintendent.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
Creating a Culture
Develop and sustain a focus on a shared mission and clear vision for improvement of teaching and learning
Engages in essential conversations for ongoing improvement of the school community
Facilitates collaborative processes for leading continuous improvement of teaching and learning
Promotes and distributes leadership
Creates and sustains a culture that values and responds to the characteristics and needs of each learner
Ensuring School Safety
Provides for physical safety
Provides for social, emotional and intellectual safety
Creates a school community, where each learner is valued and recognized for their unique contributions and culture
Planning with Data
Recognizes and seeks out multiple data sources
Analyzes and interprets multiple data sources to inform school-level improvement efforts
Creates data-driven plans for improved teaching and learning
Implements data-informed improvement plans
Provides evidence of student growth that results from the school improvement planning process
Aligning Curriculum
Assists staff in aligning curriculum to state and local district learning goals
Assists staff in aligning instructional practices to state standards and district learning goals
Assists staff in aligning assessment practices to state standards and district learning goals
Improving Instruction
Uses the Center for Educational Leadership Instructional Framework to monitor and support effective instruction and assessment practices
Uses the Center for Educational Leadership Instructional Framework to evaluate instruction and assessment
Assists staff in developing required student growth plans and identifying valid, reliable sources of evidence of effectiveness
Provides evidence of student growth for teachers
Managing Resources
Manages Self
Recruiting and hiring of staff
Assigning staff
Managing fiscal resources
Engaging Communities
Partners with families and the community to promote student learning
Incorporates strategies that engage all families, particularly those that historically have been underserved
Is creative and flexible in providing opportunities for authentic partnerships with communities and families in order to improve student learning
Closing the Gap
Assesses data and identifies barriers
Creates plans to dismantle barriers and increase achievement
Implements and monitors plans to shrink achievement gaps
Provides evidence of growth in student learning
Requirements
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Leads by identifying systemic barriers and assisting to create culturally responsive and inclusive systems for each student
Experience in leading for improvement of student achievement and outcomes
Has extensive knowledge of Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) framework in a K - 5 system
Has experience in AVID K-5 system and structures
Has extensive knowledge of Highly Capable programming and expected learning outcomes
Has extensive knowledge of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support
Has extensive knowledge of best instructional practices in supporting students to achieve high standards
Strong decision-making, analytical and organizational skills
Experience in data-based decision making
Excellent interpersonal relationship skills
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Advanced skills in dealing with students and staff with diverse needs, including in high-stress and/or conflict situations
Knowledge of curriculum, instructional strategies, interventions for students, assessment strategies and staff development techniques specific to elementary school
Knowledge of the role of technology in instruction, especially in a one-to-one student-to-iPad (or similar technology) setting
Strong ability to use technology to support the performance of the essential functions of the position
Ability to develop, monitor, evaluate and revise building plans related to curriculum, student behavior, supervision and safety
Understanding of adolescent physical, emotional and intellectual development;
Knowledge of effective teacher-driven Professional Learning Communities (PLC)
Knowledge of using criterion-based rubrics for the purpose of evaluating instruction and supporting teacher professional growth (Preferably experience with Washington Professional Growth Evaluation System (PGES) and most specifically experience with the CEL 5D+ instructional framework)
Knowledge of the functions of Special Education in an elementary school setting
Experience, Education and Job Requirements
Preferred experience as a building administrator
Preferred experience leading in an elementary school setting
Preferred experience as an elementary teacher
Eligible for Washington Administrator Certificate
Classroom teaching experience required
Masters Degree in Education required
Preferred experience with Washington Professional Growth Evaluation System and most specifically experience with the CEL 5D+ instructional framework
Demonstrated successful experience building positive relationships with students, staff and parents
Experience with a variety of instructional technology applications and other various technologies
First Aid/CPR certificate required
