OVERVIEW

 

Memphis-Shelby County Schools is seeking dynamic educational champions ready to position our district as a national exemplar of education transformation. We need leaders with a fierce commitment to actualizing a bold vision that yields ambitious outcomes for more than 110,000 students and families across the Memphis-Shelby County area. The reality is that we can do better for kids, and we will with the right leaders in place. The most successful candidates believe that more is possible for Memphis and are:

• Courageous Thinkers & Doers: Prepared to navigate and thrive in a complex and ambiguous environment on day one, present innovative ideas to address systemwide issues, and execute sustainable plans toward transformation.
• Solutions-Oriented: See the possibilities, demonstrate the capacity to synthesize information and adjust short and long-term goals, and consistently find a window when doors close to deliver measurable results for kids and families.
• High-Performing Gamechangers: Leader of leaders with the capacity to mobilize and empower an outstanding team, make people-centered data-informed decisions, and operate with a relentless hyperfocus on removing stubborn barriers that destroy the hopes and dreams of too many of our students.

 

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

 

The Principal/Assistant Principal provides the leadership and management necessary at Memphis-Shelby County Schools to maximize the efforts of teachers, and students, parents, and the community. The Principal/Assistant Principal also inspires and influences people to accomplish the District’s mission, vision, and strategic goals by motivating our urban community to do their best work for students. They are results-oriented, actionable, and critical thinkers who understand the demographic and culture that makes Memphis unique. Principals/Assistant Principals are responsible for directing all daily operations of the school campus, supervising, and coordinating the work of all professional and classified personnel, ensuring subordinates’ adherence to District policies, regulations, and goals. Additionally, the Principals/Assistant Principals are responsible for preparing required reports, and performing other professional, administrative, and supervisory work as required. Principals/Assistant Principals also develop and implement programs within organizational policies; reports major activities to executive-level administrators through conferences and reports.

 

This position description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, knowledge or abilities associated with this classification, but is intended to accurately reflect the primary job elements.

Principal Functions

1. Builds capacity among the school leadership team and school staff when analyzing and using multiple sources of student, educator, and school-wide data.
2. Develops and monitors a school-wide data plan that includes the following:

• student progress tracking
• establishing specific strategies to meet or exceed academic and behavioral growth and achievement goals
• baseline comparisons to benchmarks throughout the year
• time for instructional adjustments informed by data

3. Leads educators to develop and execute interventions to address all student learning needs grounded in multiple sources of data (academic, social, and/or emotional).
4. Monitors and adjusts progress toward established goals and facilitates procedures and practices leading to continuous improvement.
5. Leverages educator strengths to engage all students in meaningful, relevant learning opportunities.
6. Fosters a safe, respectful, and orderly learning environment for all children.
7. Takes measures to actively involve families in the education of their children.
8. Models and communicates expectations for individual and shared ownership of student, educator, and school success.
9. Recognizes and celebrates improved educator and student performance related to school vision and goals.
10. Implements and monitors a rigorous evaluation system using an approved Tennessee evaluation model and uses educator evaluation data to inform, assess, and adjust professional learning goals and plans.
11. Engages faculty and self in data-informed, differentiated professional learning opportunities for educators, aligned with the Tennessee Standards for Professional Learning.
12. Collaborates with others to induct, support, retain and grow/extend effective educators based on evidence of student and educator outcomes.
13. Identifies and supports potential teacher-leaders and provides growth opportunities in alignment with the Tennessee Teacher Leadership Standards.
14. Improves self-practices based on multiple sources of feedback, including performance evaluation results and self-reflection.
15. Utilizes community resources and partners to support the school’s mission, vision and goal
16. Performs other related duties as assigned or directed.

Assistant Principal Functions

1. Oversees the daily operations and administration of the assigned school; assumes responsibilities of the Principal in his or her absence.
2. Supervises assigned professional, para-professional, administrative and support staff members, including establishing staffing standards, organizing, selecting, or recommending selection, assigning and evaluating work, counseling, disciplining, and terminating or recommending termination; prepares periodic employee performance evaluations.
3. Develops and implements staff training and development programs and opportunities.
4. Assists in planning and implementing school-wide programs, policies, goals and objectives; ensures program and policy adherence to organizational standards and legal regulations.
5. Assists in establishing and maintaining plans and actions to accomplish school goals; establishes school calendars and schedules.
6. Assists in the development of long-range facility needs at assigned school; assists in coordinating safety and facility/grounds inspections at the school. 
7. Assists with the preparation and management of the school budget; solicits and secures grants for special programs and projects; may direct or assist with the procurement of equipment and supplies.
8. Assists in reviewing and evaluating the instructional program; observes classroom environment and makes recommendations for improvement in instruction and class management as appropriate; establishes and maintains a system of school-wide textbook accountability.
9. Performs other related duties as assigned or directed.

Educational Experience: 

Requires education or training equivalent to a Master’s Degree in educational administration or supervision from an accredited college or university. 

 

Cerification(s): 

State certification in Administration/Supervision at the elementary and/or secondary level, Educational Leadership, or an equivalent certification as defined by the Tennessee Department of Education.

 

Experience:

Principal

Requires eight (8) – ten (10) years of progressively more responsible experience in teaching and administration or supervision with two (2) years in a supervisory or leadership capacity. An equivalent combination of training, and experience which provide the knowledge, abilities and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered (Examples: Adult Higher Education, MBA, Organizational Management, and Public Administration).  PROOF OF EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND/OR EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED

 

Assistant Principal

Requires three (3) - five (5) years of successful teaching experience with some demonstrated leadership experience.  An equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the knowledge, abilities and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered (Examples: Adult Higher Education, MBA, Organizational Management, and Public Administration).  PROOF OF EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND/OR EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED

  

Degree Equivalency Formula:

 

Bachelor’s Degree= 4 years plus required years of experience.

Master’s Degree= 2 years plus required years of experience. Where Master’s degrees are required, years for bachelor’s Degrees must be included. 

INFORMATION FOR 2025-2026 CANDIDATES

Thank you for your interest in serving as a Principal or Assistant Principal to contribute to the LEGACY of Memphis-Shelby County Schools. Please review the information provided to ensure full consideration.

Please review the information provided to ensure full consideration.

***All interested applicants must apply through the MSCS Careers website and complete the following items to be considered for these positions.

Application Requirements:

• Online Application
• Updated Resume
• Pre-Screening Questions
• Writing Sample (Recent Memo)
• Video Prompts

Deadline for Submission: All materials are due on or by 5:00 pm Friday August 1, 2025. Video responses and current writing sample are due within 10 business days after online application submission.

Application Packet Requirements:

___ Email an updated resume and recent memo written to staff and/or families to legacyleader@scsk12.org with the title of the position in the subject.

___ Video Responses to Prompts
In a quiet setting, candidates should record a response to the prompts below within the specified timeframe.

Prompt 1 (3 Minutes)- Please share measurable results directly related to student achievement that you have accomplished in your current role that support your candidacy for the Principal or Assistant Principal position. Please be succinct and specific.

Prompt 2 (2 Minutes)- How do you build consensus with students, staff, community members, and school partners to elevate achievement in your current role. Please be succinct and specific.

Save all files using the naming convention: [Last Name. First Name. Title of Position Seeking. Resume (or Memo)]

*Submissions exceeding the time listed or without the correct naming convention will not be reviewed.

Applicants to this pool allow you to be considered for the following:

12-month Principal Elementary role at $109,421.26 to $139,590.42 salary range

12-month Principal Middle role at $117,035.10 to $146,240.18 salary range

12-month Principal High role at $124,905.40 to $156,984.08 salary range

10.5-month Assistant Principal Elementary role at $90,690.21 to $110,507.39 salary range

10.5-month Assistant Principal Middle role at $92,346.60 to $120,284.80 salary range

10.5-month Assistant Principal High role at $98,212.71 to $128,470.25 salary range