Principal or Vice Principal Principal for Lincoln Elementary and Montessori School
Job Description
Lincoln Elementary, a small, public, dual-track Montessori school in Denver, seeks an experienced and dynamic Principal/Director to begin in the 2024/2025 school year.
Who We Are
Located in Denver’s historic West Washington Park neighborhood, Lincoln Elementary is a diverse neighborhood school of 320 students ranging from preschool through sixth grade. Our community is defined by strong relationships and shared values that prioritize the highest good for our students, educators, and families. As one of only four public Montessori schools in Denver, our unique model houses both a Montessori and a Traditional program under the same administration. Families at Lincoln have the liberty to choose the program that best fits the needs, abilities, and learning styles of their children. Our diverse and talented staff works alongside families to cultivate a nurturing environment for exploration, learning and play.
Lincoln Elementary School has recently been recognized for exceptional academic achievement and student growth, receiving:
- The John Irwin Award for exceptional achievement over time.
- The Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Award for exceptional student growth.
- Exceeding Expectations on the Department of Education’s rating for academic achievement.
As school Principal, you will receive job-embedded professional development and operational support from departments across Denver Public Schools. At Lincoln, you will lead a staff of strong educators with support from a seasoned leadership and administrative team consisting of a Social Emotional Coordinator/Dean; Full Time School Psychologist; Two Senior Team Coaches (one specialized Montessori, the other Traditional); and a veteran school Secretary.
Lincoln’s website: https://lincoln.dpsk12.org/
Lincoln PTA’s website: https://www.mylincolnptsa.org/
Who You Are:
We are seeking an experienced, pragmatic leader who will build upon our tradition of excellence and lead Lincoln’s students and staff to further achievement within the public school system alongside a deeply supportive and engaged community. The next leader of Lincoln will be proficient in the following areas:
- Educational Leadership: Provide visionary leadership for both the Montessori and Traditional programs, ensuring alignment with Montessori principles, best practices, State standards, and District policies.
- Program Administration: Manage day-to-day operations of both programs, including budgeting, scheduling, enrollment, staffing and compliance with state regulations and accreditation standards while maneuvering as a small school in a large District.
- Staff Development: Stay current with research and best practices in both Montessori and Traditional education; provide opportunities for ongoing professional development and training for all staff to support District requirements; support and mentor teachers and staff, fostering their professional growth and development through coaching, feedback, and opportunities.
- Student Support: Foster a safe, inclusive, joyful, and enriching learning environment where each student is valued, respected, and encouraged to reach their full potential while ensuring continuous improvement of academic and performance standards guided by concrete data.
- Commitment to Equity: Support ongoing work to make Lincoln a more equitable school in terms of educational access and discipline. Lincoln has been a national leader in developing a model to expand public access to Montessori; our staff members have presented at national conferences and hosted study tours for outside educators.
- Curriculum Development: Assisted by two academic coaches, oversee the development and implementation of both a Montessori and Traditional curriculum that promotes student engagement, inquiry-based learning, and individualized instruction.
- Parent and Community Engagement: Cultivate strong partnerships with parents, families, and the community, promoting open communication, collaboration, and involvement in our beloved neighborhood school.
- Advocacy and Accountability: Strive for effectiveness and accountability in all aspects—ie. student and staff performance, financial management, supervision, instructional management, data analysis, recruitment/retention, etc. — to meet organizational needs and adapt to ever-evolving circumstances in public education.
What You’ll Need:
- Hold a Master’s Degree in Elementary/Secondary Education, Administration, Curriculum, Instruction or Guidance, preferred.
- While in the position, hold a valid Colorado Department of Education Principal License and live and work in Colorado
- Demonstrated effective and diplomatic oral and written communication and leadership skills.
- Commitment to lead for racial and educational excellence and work to dismantle systems of oppression and inequity in our community; believe in and support all students.
- Five or more years of experience in education.
- Have the ability, with or without accommodations, to meet the physical demands
of the position.
