Assistant Principal



Starting Date: July 1, 2026

Contract Days: 203 Days

Purpose Statement:

The elementary assistant principal serves as a student-centered and highly collaborative leader, capable of effectively communicating and further developing the school's vision and goals. The assistant principal provides strong instructional leadership and offers encouragement and support to grade-level teams as they use the PLC framework to identify and close gaps in learning for every student we serve.

Essential Functions:

• Creating a school culture that promotes the ongoing improvement of learning and teaching for students and staff
• Develops and sustains focus on shared mission and clear vision for improvement of teaching and learning with the building principal and district administration
• Focuses and facilitates ongoing school improvement and continuous growth through collaborative processes
• Establishing and maintaining a positive learning environment for all
• Supports the community to develop an understanding of safety physically, emotionally, intellectually, and identity safety
• Leading the development, implementation, and evaluation of a data-driven plan for accelerating student achievement, including the use of multiple student data elements
• Assisting instructional staff with alignment of curriculum, instruction, and assessment with state and local district learning goals
• Developing and leading school-based teams in the improvement of instructional and procedural practices
• Designing and leading professional development programs that meet the needs of staff and students
• Work cooperatively with other district administrators and program specialists to meet student needs
• Effectively lead a PBIS approach and communicate with parents to ensure a positive learning environment
• Monitor and assist staff in implementing effective instruction and assessment practices
• Monitoring, assisting, and evaluating effective instruction and assessment practices
• Evaluates the instruction and assessment of educational staff
• Assists staff in developing required student growth plans and identifies valid, reliable sources of evidence of effectiveness
• Develop a plan of assistance or remediation with certificated or classified staff when needed.
• Is accessible for consultation with staff, students, and parents
• Maintains positive and collaborative relationships with students, staff, parents, and the community, and is a model for respect, cooperation, and professionalism
• Provides educational opportunities for parents to assist in the partnership of student learning and growth.
• Develops and supports the PLC framework within the building
• Participates as part of the administrative team to achieve district and community educational goals and the fulfilment of the district's mission
• Provides evidence of student and educator growth and learning
• Partners with the school community to promote student learning and student well-being
• Develops and models positive student behavior and discipline approaches
• Keeps data regarding student behavior and discipline, and complies with Washington State laws and regulations
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills with all constituencies
• Visible and supportive of all curricular and extra-curricular programs
• Other duties that are in support of the school community

Qualifications

• Must possess or qualify for immediate issuance of a valid Washington State Administrative credential
• Master's Degree required
• Successful experience at the elementary primary level, preferred
• Five years of successful teaching experience, preferred
• Leadership experience, preferred
• Training and/or experience working with students with a variety of educational abilities, backgrounds, skills, and cultures, including special needs, English language learners, special education, and/or "at-risk"

Knowledge

• Current experience, knowledge, and commitment to the needs of children
• Current state laws regarding elementary education
• Knowledge of the complete TPEP evaluation cycle
• Knowledge of inclusive special education practices

Skills

• Demonstrated ability to coach and support teachers in the implementation of high-quality instructional practices
• Provides positive, collaborative, and visionary leadership to staff, students, and the community
• Builds, creates, and maintains a culture that fosters collaborative relationships with students, staff, and the community
• Models exemplary professionalism
• Ability to provide timely, meaningful, and actionable feedback to staff that promotes professional growth and improves instructional effectiveness
• Ability to collaborate effectively with special education, intervention, and support staff to create inclusive learning environments for all students
• Expresses and communicates ideas clearly for different audiences in oral presentations and in written communication
• Demonstrated experience facilitating professional learning communities (PLCs) focused on student outcomes and instructional improvement
• Ability to provide appropriate and innovative supervision and leadership to the instructional program
• Ability to seek relevant and current data, as well as analyze and research complex information
• Ability to reach logical conclusions, make high-quality decisions, and set priorities
• Demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion
• Successful experience involving others in solving problems, guiding them to accomplishment, and managing conflict in a positive and professional manner
• Successful experience as a strong facilitator and skilled at group process; positive attitude and a sense of collegiality
• Successful experience in leading discussions and facilitating meetings
• Successful experience and leadership in the PBIS model

Physical Demands and Working Conditions: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Seldom (less than 10%)

Limited (10-30%)

Moderate (31-60%)

Frequent (61-100%)

Lifting up to 30 lbs

Twisting

Sitting

Lifting/carrying up to 10 lbs

Exposure to human-borne pathogens

Lifting up to 20 lbs

Stooping, bending

Repetitive keyboard usage

Lift assist over 50 lbs

Exposure to noise

Kneeling

Computer screen viewing

Exposure to outside elements

After-hours work

Pushing/pulling

Walking

Standing

Compensation & Benefits:

The 2026-27 base salary range for certificated admin staff in the Deer Park School District is between $126,583.00 and $146,744.00 per school year. Placement is based on degree and experience. Pay is annualized over 12 months (if hired after Sept, spread over the remaining months of the contract year (Sept-Aug).

Benefits: This position is benefits-eligible, including medical, dental, vision, life, and AD&D, and flexible spending arrangements in accordance with the state School Employees Benefits Board: https://www.hca.wa.gov/employee-retiree-benefits/school-employees

This position is eligible for retirement: https://www.drs.wa.gov/

Application Requirements:

• Applicants must complete the application online at www.dpsd.org and must include the following:
• Current Resume
• Cover letter highlighting qualifications and outlining leadership philosophy
• Three (3) letters of reference
• Confidential reference checks (at least 1, including the most recent supervisor)

Closing date: