2026-2027 Principal Fellow

POSITION SUMMARY:

To build more high\-performing schools, Breakthrough must intentionally develop the next generation of school leaders. The Principal Fellowship is a two\-year, structured leadership development program designed to prepare Fellows to lead a Breakthrough campus upon successful completion.

Principal Fellows are full\-time Breakthrough employees who are strategically trained and developed through immersive, hands\-on leadership experiences within a Breakthrough school.

The Fellowship is designed around core leadership domains aligned to Breakthrough’s expectations for Principals:

• Instructional Leadership
• Teacher Development
• School Culture
• Systems Leadership

Throughout the Fellowship, Principal Fellows work closely with a Host Principal, the Managing Director of Schools, and the Head of Schools to build the knowledge, mindsets, and leadership capabilities necessary to successfully lead a Breakthrough school.

Fellows are placed strategically across Breakthrough campuses, based on organizational need and capacity.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1\. Feedback and Leadership Coaching

Frequent, high\-quality feedback is the primary lever for leadership development at Breakthrough.

Principal Fellows receive ongoing coaching and assessment through:

• Weekly coaching from the Host Principal
• Regular feedback from the Managing Director of Schools
• Network leadership feedback during professional development and school visits
• Structured reflection aligned to Breakthrough leadership competencies

Feedback is grounded in Breakthrough’s instructional framework and leadership expectations, including the ability to drive the Arc of the Year through strong instructional leadership and teacher development.

Principal Fellows are expected to actively seek feedback, reflect on their leadership practice, and demonstrate measurable growth over time.

2\. School Immersion

Principal Fellows are fully embedded in the daily operations of a Breakthrough school. Through this immersive experience, Fellows gain direct exposure to the complex leadership decisions required to run a high\-performing school while progressively taking on greater leadership responsibility.

During their two Fellowship years, Principal Fellows will:

• Lead and coach teachers through real\-time coaching (RTC) and instructional feedback cycles
• Lead and coach Assistant Principals and Deans through real\-time coaching (RTC) and feedback cycles
• Support implementation of the Arc of the Year instructional priorities
• Analyze student achievement data and lead data\-driven improvement planning
• Partner with school culture teams to build and reinforce strong student behavior systems and Common Pictures
• Lead staff meetings, professional development sessions, and instructional planning
• Engage with families and community partners
• Support school\-wide systems including scheduling, operations, and team management

Principal Fellows are expected to demonstrate increasing ownership of key leadership functions and readiness to lead a school.

3\. Professional Development and Network Learning

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Principal Fellows participate in structured professional learning alongside Breakthrough leaders across the network. This includes development during the identified summer months as well as during the school year.

This includes:

Principal Professional Development

Principal Fellows attend network Principal professional development sessions focused on:

• Instructional leadership
• Coaching and teacher development
• Data\-driven school improvement
• Leading strong adult cultures
• Strategic school leadership

Fellowship Cohort Development

Principal Fellows also participate in cohort\-based learning experiences designed specifically for emerging school leaders. These sessions provide opportunities for:

• Leadership practice and simulations
• Case study analysis
• Peer feedback and reflection
• Application of Breakthrough leadership frameworks

These cohort experiences help Fellows develop both the technical skills and leadership judgment required of successful school leaders.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Master’s degree in education or leadership preferred
• Currently holds Principal certification and/or willing to enroll in certification program within the two years of the Fellowship and complete within first full school year of Principalship

Experience:

• Must be a current Breakthrough Public Schools employee in good standing
• Minimum of 3 years of teaching experience with evidence of strong student outcomes
• At least two years of teacher leadership or coaching experience at (e.g., Assistant Principal or Dean level)
• Demonstrated success supporting adult learning and development

Licensure and Certification(s):

• List all licensures and certifications required or preferred.
• Candidate must possess a valid driver’s license with a driving record in accordance with the BPS’s acceptable guidelines.

Technical Skills and Knowledge:

• Strong instructional expertise and ability to analyze teaching and learning
• Ability to provide high\-leverage coaching and feedback to teachers
• Strong data analysis skills and commitment to data\-driven decision\-making
• Ability to build positive, high\-expectation school cultures
• Strong communication and relationship\-building skills with staff, students, and families
• Ability to manage complex priorities through strong systems thinking
• Personal resilience and adaptability in a fast\-paced environment
• Alignment with and commitment to the mission of Breakthrough Public Schools

Breakthrough Leader Mindsets

Breakthrough Principals are more than strong managers—they are leaders who embody the beliefs and mindsets required to build schools where all students can succeed. Therefore, Principal Fellows are expected to develop and demonstrate the following leader mindsets:

### We Do Our Job.

• We take full ownership of results.
• We do not blame circumstances, systems, or people — we improve them.
• We ensure the work gets done at a high level because students are counting on us.

### We Hold High Expectations.

• We believe all students can achieve at the highest levels.
• We define excellence clearly and refuse to lower the bar.
• We intervene quickly when performance slips — in ourselves and in others.

### Kid Needs \> Adult Needs.

• We make decisions based on what is best for students, even when it is hard.
• We prioritize long\-term student success over short\-term adult comfort.

We Communicate Openly and Honestly.

• We give direct, actionable feedback.
• We say what needs to be said in service of growth.
• We seek clarity and alignment rather than comfort.

### We Remain Committed.

We persist through challenge.*

We do not waver when the work is difficult.*

We understand that consistency — not intensity — drives transformation.*

### We Center Joy.

• We believe rigor and joy coexist.
• We create environments where adults and students feel purpose, belonging, and pride.
• We celebrate growth and progress along the way.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Performs work in an office setting with moderate levels of noise, sitting for long periods of time, repetitive motion using computers and phones, with exposure to fluorescent lighting

ANY PERSON WHO KNOWINGLY MAKES A FALSE STATEMENT IS GUILTY OF FALISIFCATION UNDER SECTION 2921\.13 OF THE REVISED CODE, WHICH IS A MISDEMEANOR OF THE FIRST DEGREE

DISCLAIMER:

The information outlined in this job description indicates the general nature and type of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not intended to provide a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities or competencies required of employees within this classification.

Compensation packages are competitive and commensurate with experience. Breakthrough Schools offer a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental and vision, life and disability coverage. Employees are also eligible to participate in the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio (STRS) or the School Employees Retirement System of Ohio (SERS).

Breakthrough Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin.