Elementary School Principal K-8

Deadline: March 23, 2026

District/Organization: St Joseph – Howell

Position/Type: Elementary Principal – Assistant, full time

Position Details

St. Joseph Catholic School, in Howell, MI, is seeking a full-time principal as a servant leader under the Pastor of St. Joseph Parish. The principal will enthusiastically share a zeal for learning and a passion for the Gospel, while embodying the school’s mission, values, and vision within the lens of the Catholic intellectual tradition. As a disciple of Jesus Christ, the principal will develop relationships of sincere care, trust, and leadership; supporting staff, parents, families, and students of St. Joseph Catholic School. Above all, the principal will demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ in teaching, serving, and living a sacramental life. The principal will shepherd students by helping them to live in the light of our school mission, by partnering with parents to root students in the Gospel teachings of Jesus Christ, modeled by Mary our mother, encouraging a virtuous life following the Catholic faith and pursuing academic excellence. The principal will exhibit administrative competence and efficiency in ensuring that the school finances and records are maintained in good order, budgets are met, and timely and accurate communication is maintained. The principal is to carry out the mission of the parish: we exist to invite and accompany one another to encounter Jesus and grow in love of God and neighbor through a Sacramental life.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates loyalty to the school and support of its mission, values, and vision within the lens of the Catholic intellectual tradition.
• Comprehends, embraces, and articulates Catholic liberal arts philosophy and pedagogies to teachers, students, and parents; continues to grow in this understanding and commitment.

Day-to-Day Operations

• Provides leadership of direction and decision making for all staff, faculty, and administrative positions.
• Oversees enforcement of all school policies, code of conduct, and state and federal regulations for staff, faculty, and students.
• Oversees overall management of day-to-day school operations, as appropriate, delegating to and overseeing other staff members.
• Works with the parish maintenance staff regarding day-to-day operational items and facility maintenance.
• Executes all budget planning and oversees operational finances, under the authority of the Parish Business Manager and Parish Finance Council.
• Cooperates with parish staff and fulfills all other tasks delegated by the Pastor.

Faculty Development

• Observes teachers’ classroom instruction on at least a quarterly basis, providing necessary coaching, modeling, and feedback for their success and ongoing growth.
• Conducts weekly faculty/staff meetings and ensures continued staff growth in Catholic liberal arts and the Catholic intellectual tradition via in-house formation or partnership with outside services.
• Annually conducts Performance Evaluations for each staff and faculty member.
• Makes formal recommendations and final approval of changes of curricular resources, texts, documents in consultation with the faculty and appointed parent review.
• Identifies and arranges for annual professional development training in curriculum and pedagogy.
• Leads, serves on, and has final approval with the pastor on the faculty hire recommendations of interview committees.
• Responsible for the operational aspects of onboarding staff and faculty (e.g., payroll, Child Protection Program, etc.) Issues all offers of employment, renewals and adjustments.
• Where necessary, tasked with terminating staff/faculty in conjunction and cooperation with the Pastor.

Student Services

• Oversees and conducts interviews with prospective students and their families focusing on background in the Catholic faith, academic readiness, and social maturity.
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with students, functions as an authoritative and engaged presence in the school, especially between classes, during lunch, and at the beginning and end of the day.
• Functions as the primary communicator with the student and his/her parents in cases of serious misconduct and supports faculty in all necessary communication with students and parents in cases of lesser misconduct or academic struggles.

Communication

• Meets weekly with the pastor to provide updates on current school activities and needs, and to arrange priestly support of school religious formation and activities.
• Provides a weekly, all-parent newsletter with current school activities and events.
• Establishes and maintains open lines of communication with individual students and parents concerning students’ academic, social, and behavioral progress.
• Leads, supports, and encourages faculty and staff in carrying out their responsibilities, regularly listening and responding to concerns, offering advice on how to address behavioral and academic issues, and facilitating cooperation and collaboration among staff members.
• Maintains conduct, speech, and demeanor befitting a disciple of Christ and Principal of St. Joseph Catholic School in public conduct and conversation.

Community Relations

• Spearheads and plans community information meetings and other school promotion and plays a leading role at such meetings and events.
• Organizes and participates in annual Open House events.
• Together with the parish Communications Director and school staff oversees social media presence and school promotion within the local community in concert with a broader marketing and development plan.

Abilities, Knowledge, Experience

• Ability to meet deadlines, work on multiple projects, and coordinate the work of others.
• Ability to speak well, clearly, and confidently in public.
• Ability to maintain positive relationships with students, parents, community members, and staff.
• Ability to provide organization, make near- and long-term decisions, and problem solve.
• Knowledge of computer applications, financial procedures, and legal requirements for schools.
• Knowledge of school policies on immunization, medication, first aid, emergencies, and child abuse and neglect.
• Knowledge of effective classroom management techniques.
• Experience in classroom teaching and curriculum development.
• Knowledge of The Holy See’s Teaching on Catholic Schools
• Preferred Master’s Degree; minimum Bachelor’s Degree.

Interested candidates are asked to please submit the online application and attach a Curriculum Vitae and Letter of Introduction.

Questions may be directed to Dcn. Jasen Wright, Parish Business Manager at (517) 546-0090.

E-mail: [email protected]