School Principal

Thank you for your interest in employment at Mt. Carmel Christian Academy. MCCA is actively seeking a school principal. The school principal's job description and responsibilities are detailed below. We are requesting resumes and cover letters be sent to gdemerit@sheperd.edu, and we are requesting that cover letters specifically identify the applicant's commitment to Christian Education.

MINISTRY PURPOSE 
The mission of Mt. Carmel Regular Baptist Church (MCRBC) is to be "a disciple-making community with hearts of faith moved by the promises of God contained in the Gospel." We believe that the ministry of Mt. Carmel Christian Academy (MCCA) remains a viable strategy to disciple students’ hearts and minds in the faith and prepare them for a life of service in our world. For the daily success of the school toward this end, the Principal of MCCA functions as the spiritual, academic, and organizational servant leader. He/she is responsible to implement and oversee an educational program marked by Christ-centered excellence that promotes a loving and nurturing environment for each and every student entrusted to our care.

QUALIFICATIONS
Spiritual Attributes
The school Principal must:

• profess and demonstrate a personal faith in Jesus Christ and a vibrant, growing intimacy with Him through prayer, Bible study, and spiritual impact upon others;
• exemplify Christ-centered responsibility in his/her own home;
• be an active member and participant of a like-minded, Bible believing church;
• affirm and support, unreservedly, the statement of faith and mission of MCCA; 
• clearly articulate how a Biblical worldview is the foundation for all subjects; and
• view his/her role in Christian school administration as a God-given ministry calling. 

Personal Attributes
The school Principal must:

• be a person of integrity, respectful of and loyal to constituted authority; 
• have a track record of relational interactions with students, parents, and fellow staff that are positive, courteous, professional, and tactful; 
• be a good listener, open to criticism and input, and perceived as approachable; 
• reflect discretion and uphold confidentiality in the handling of school matters; 
• maintain professional standards of grooming, dress, and appearance;
• be a self-starter with a high-energy level and desire for personal and Christ-centered professional achievement for himself/herself and a creative and motivational leader who inspires the same in others; and
• handle everyday stress with stability, optimism, objectivity, and perseverance.

Professional Attributes
The school Principal must:

• be able to articulate a Christian philosophy of education consistent with the Bible and be able to explain to potential students and parents the value of such education;
• hold at least one degree in education and have formal teaching experience;
• possess effective oral and written communication skills; 
• demonstrate excellence in organizational administration and time management;
• handle multiple tasks and responsibilities with competing due dates and priorities;
• know how to delegate tasks to a staff team through coordination and facilitation;  
• reflect evidence of being a team player, willing to work under the leadership of the MCRBC pastoral staff and in partnership with the MCCA school board; 
• be a pro-active problem solver who takes initiative to engage all affected parties in the development and implementation of solutions in a timely and Biblical manner;
• have emotional fortitude and calmness to enforce policies and procedures fairly and consistently, even when doing so may be unpopular;
• demonstrate computer literacy and vision to incorporate technology as an educational tool;
• demonstrate openness to implement new educational concepts and strategies, while careful to preserve traditional methodologies that remain effective; and
• be committed to regular professional development and training, both for personal benefit and for the benefit of MCCA staff.

RESPONSIBILITIES
The following is a list of various responsibilities. Some are done directly by the Principal, while others are or may be delegated. Areas delegated still require attention and follow-up.
Staff

• Continuously cultivate a Christ-centered, inspiring, and unified work environment.
• Hire and dismiss all staff in conjunction with the input of the MCCA school board and the approval of the MCRBC pastoral staff.
• Carefully review experience and qualifications of each staff member to assign responsibilities strictly in accord with areas where each is qualified and competent.
• Delegate areas of responsibility, other than teaching, among staff as needed (such as coordination of service projects, fundraisers, concerts, etc.)
• Conduct staff orientations and workdays before and after the school academic year and also regularly throughout the school year, at least once a month.
• Review and schedule teacher enrichment opportunities and arrange logistics.
• Annually conduct personal reviews of each teacher according to stated criteria and provide them a written evaluation with recommendations for growth. 
• Facilitate the acclimation of new teachers to the culture and climate of MCCA and assign a mentor to each one.
• Submit a written list of potential substitute teachers to pastoral staff for pre-approval and then arrange for substitutes from the approved list as needed and assist them in successfully carrying out their responsibilities.
• Maintain or delegate personnel records, including documentation of personal time off.
• Elaborate a staff handbook and review annually and revise as needed.

Students

• Implement, oversee, and review recruitment strategies and enrollment procedures.
• Conduct interviews with all prospective new students and parents.
• Arrange or delegate placement testing for all new students.
• Verify or delegate that all required enrollment documents are received for every student.
• Organize,  maintain, or delegate  a complete system of office records, including grades, attendance, disciplines, health records, etc. for all students.
• Conduct student orientation.
• Counsel students with poor grades or attendance and, along with teachers who are directly involved, develop and monitor successful strategies for improvement.
• Oversee the administration of reasonable and appropriate consequences for misconduct as established by the school handbook.
• Mediate disputes among students or between teachers and students.
• Encourage a spirit of service by promoting community service opportunities.
• Constantly seek out opportunities to pray with and minister to students individually.

Parents

• Schedule and monitor conferences with parents and teachers regarding continuous academic struggles or behavioral problems.
• Cultivate a family spirit by involving parents in prayer and volunteerism to the maximum extent possible.

Schedule

• Prepare or delegate yearly and monthly calendars with grading periods and all major activities.
• Establish procedures for weather-related school cancellations, delays, or early dismissals and communicate such decisions to staff, students, and parents. 

Academics

• Develop and implement integrated curriculum program throughout the school, including scope and sequence within approved educational objectives.
• Verify that materials used for each subject at each grade level integrate a Christ-centered, Biblical worldview as much as possible.
• In collaboration with the school board, lead the school in meeting and maintaining accreditation requirements. 
• Establish a class schedule for each grade level.
• Review, order, or delegate necessary teaching materials and resources for each classroom.

• Verify that each school classroom reflects a professional and Christian environment.

• Arrange or delegate college placement testing (SAT, ACT, etc.) for upperclassmen.
• Establish dates and procedures for achievement testing of all students at least once every two years.
• Review report cards each marking period and prepare honor rolls as well as meet with staff, students, and parents as needed regarding grade-related concerns. 

• Determine dates, hours and costs of summer school and what students need to attend and then assign necessary teachers and contact parents.
• Oversee forwarding of academic transcripts to other schools/colleges upon request.
• Monitor the need for and implement college level AP or Dual-Enrollment as appropriate.

Graduation

• Schedule speaker for senior graduation and make necessary logistical arrangements.
• Assist seniors in ordering announcements, diplomas, gowns and tassels, and set graduation rehearsal time and communicate to all parties involved.

Co-Curricular

• Work with designated member of pastoral staff to set format and arrange for gospel-centered speakers for student chapels throughout the school year.
• Review field trip requests from teachers and coordinate the ones that are approved into the overall academic program/calendar.
• Oversee and approve general preparations for concerts and school programs.
• Approve and arrange appropriate external services, such as tech center classes, driver education classes, dual credit programs with community colleges, etc. 
• Work with Athletic Director to approve game schedules to coordinate with school calendar.
• Approve and work with adult sponsor(s) to coordinate and accompany planning and fund-raising for missions-focused senior class trip.
• Support the broader program of the school by attending extracurricular activities.

Safety

• Schedule annual inspection and conduct fire drill and keep records as required by the State Fire Marshal.
• Establish and oversee safety procedures, such as parking lot regulations, student pickup, and bus room oversight.
• Orient staff and students regarding procedures for dealing with emergency situations and implement required emergency safety drills as necessary. 
• Notify the proper individuals of needed repairs/maintenance to school facilities and equipment. 

Finances

• Review tuition and fees and make recommendations to school board.
• Review staff salary and benefits and make recommendations to the school board.
• Approve, coordinate, and oversee all school related fund-raising activities.
• Work with the bookkeeper to verify timely tuition payments and the collection of delinquent accounts.
• Work with the school board to receive and evaluate all tuition assistance requests.

Public Relations

• Develop and disseminate promotional information, in both printed and digital form, to expand community awareness of the school. 

ACCOUNTABILITY
The MCCA Principal functions under the oversight of the Mt. Carmel Regular Baptist Church pastoral staff and in partnership with the MCCA School Board. He/she will meet regularly with a designated pastor in order to give feedback and/or receive counsel on any school-related issues, including conferring about and praying for individual students, parents, and staff. The Principal will also meet periodically with the MCCA School Board to provide updates and seek input, as necessary, regarding school-related concerns.