Principal

Job Description

About St. Mary Regional School
The Mission of St. Mary School, a vibrant Catholic community nestled in the heart of the East Vineland farmlands, is to cultivate Minds at Work, Hearts with God, and Lives of Service. We believe that every child possesses unique potential, and are dedicated to providing a nurturing, supportive environment where students from Pre-K3 through eighth grade are empowered to achieve their goals and grow in faith.

St. Mary School values innovation and creativity in a way that supports the development of the whole child. In our Stream Academy, we utilize an integrated approach to learning by weaving together Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STREAM). This curricular approach is designed to equip students with the critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills necessary to thrive and lead in the modern world, always guided by steadfast Catholic moral values.

Our school serves as a hub of exploration and creativity, boasting specialized spaces that encourage students to look toward the future:
* The Learning Commons: A welcoming, collaborative space that bridges the gap between tradition and technology. Here, students have access to vast digital pathways alongside a rich collection of printed literature, fostering a balanced environment for academic growth.
* The STREAM Lab: A dedicated space where our mission to educate the whole child comes to life through hands-on inquiry and problem-solving.
* The Innovation Lab and Maker Space: A high-energy environment where students learn to create and collaborate. This lab also houses our TV Studio, providing students with the unique opportunity to produce professional video and audio projects that complement their core academic studies.

Application
Interested candidates should submit the following to employment@sjcatholicschools.org with the subject: St. Mary Regional Principal Search. 1) A letter of interest articulating your personal sense of calling to this ministry and how your unique leadership philosophy aligns with the mission and values of St. Mary Regional School; and 2) A resume that clearly indicates your educational and professional background and experience.

Summary of Responsibilities
The Catholic elementary school principal is responsible for the overall direction of the school in Catholic Identity, Academic Excellence, and Operational Vitality. The Principal works collaboratively with the pastor or pastors to ensure the sound management and Catholic Identity of the school. The principal is accountable to the pastor and to the Superintendent of Catholic Schools.

Qualifications:
(1) A practicing Catholic who possesses the knowledge and skills to share the truths of the Catholic Faith with students, parents, and staff
(2) Diocesan Certification as a basic catechist, or its equivalent (or the disposition and willingness to pursue upon hire)
(3) Master's Degree
(4) A New Jersey Teacher or Principal Certificate (preferred)
(5) Five years of teaching and/or educational administrative experience, preferably in Catholic Schools
(6) Evidence of competency in management, communication, and collaborative skills

Job Description and Duties:
The elementary school principal is the primary full-time administrator of the school, with responsibilities in Catholic Identity, Programmatic Excellence, and Operational Vitality. These are the three pillars upon which the success of the Catholic school rests. It is important to note that most Catholic schools in the Diocese of Camden do not have a large leadership or administrative staff infrastructure, so the principal is a very "hands on" position. It requires both deep involvement in the day-to-day reality of the key accountabilities included below and the ability to set a vision and collaborate with relevant members of the diocese, parish, and school to prioritize and deliver on the expectations of those communities.

Catholic Identity
* Collaborate with the pastor as a spiritual leader and religious educator of the school
* Foster a welcoming, inclusive, Christ-centered school culture
Model discipleship for all faculty, students, and the community through prayer, service, and action
* Commit to strengthening and sustaining Catholic perspective and action in all parts of the school, including communication, curriculum, and service
* Ensure that Catholic Identity is an integral part of the school curriculum and that the diocesan curriculum for Religious Studies is used at all grades
* Pursue Catechetical certification for all teachers and facilitate the spiritual and religious formation of all teachers
* Collaborate with parish staff to facilitate sacramental formation and experiences for all students
* Support the activities of the parishes which partner with the school
* Establish and sustain purposeful commitment to the mission of the school among faculty, staff, students, and parents

Programmatic Excellence
* Ensure that the diocesan curriculum is implemented for all subjects and grades, making necessary adjustments to ensure that it is appropriately differentiated for all students
* Select and regularly update curriculum and instructional materials (e.g., textbooks, digital teaching aids, lab supplies) according to the needs of the school
* Establish and maintain an effective system of assessment that includes formative, summative, performance, and standardized assessments
* Ensure that teachers regularly collaborate with each other to improve instruction and student achievement
* Establish and hold students and teachers accountable to rigorous standards of achievement
* Identify and recommend students for further evaluation for supplemental services by the child study team, where appropriate
* Provide for the ongoing professional learning of all teachers, including the use of effective teaching strategies for all students, in collaboration with the Office of Catholic Schools and diocesan initiatives
* Supervise and evaluate instruction through effective hiring and regular observation and dialogue with teachers
* Ensure that effective educational technologies are selected and appropriately used
* Ensure that parents are informed of their children's progress in school and to inform them of programs and activities
* Maintain discipline so that students can thrive in a Catholic academic setting

Operational Vitality
* Implement and supervise the directives and policies of the Office of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Camden, and the New Jersey Department of Education, as applicable
* Act as the administrator of the school and consultant to the pastors affiliated with the school
* Supervise and evaluate all instructional and non-instructional personnel
* Provide an environment which is safe, healthy, and educationally conducive for all students, including the supervision of students whenever and wherever the school has responsibility for them
* Serve on the Executive Board of the PTA/PTO and as an ex officio member of the School Board or School Finance Committee

Records and Administration
* Generate and maintain student scholastic, attendance, and health records and release this information according to the Family Rights and Privacy Act of 1974
* Generate, maintain, and file all required forms, records, and reports with relevant government agencies and the Office of Catholic Schools
* Maintain personnel records for all faculty and staff

Financial
* Work with the relevant parish and diocesan staff to establish and adhere to a yearly school budget, implementing diocesan budget procedures and guidelines
* Coordinate and maximize the use of all state and federal assistance programs provided for the school

Advancement, Enrollment, and Communication
* Establish growth goals for enrollment and supervise the Director of * * Advancement in pursuing effective strategies for realizing them
* Supervise all aspects of the recruitment and registration of students
* Establish and pursue growth goals for fundraising and development, * collaborating with relevant diocesan and parish staff, to ensure that tuition remains affordable
* Communicate regularly and effectively with all school stakeholders, including: parents, teachers, parishioners, parish staff, diocesan staff, funders, and others
* To provide leadership in guiding the faculty and school community through the Middle States Evaluation Process.

About the Employer

The Diocese of Camden is a particular manifestation of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church entrusted by the Pope to the care of the Bishop of Camden. The Church of Camden therefore shares the belief and mission of the worldwide Church and seeks to establish its effective presence in the South Jersey area.