Principal Fellow

To build more high-performing schools, we need leaders to commit themselves to the most urgent and exciting work of our time. Uncommon Schools Principal Fellows are strategically trained and developed using best-in-class practices with the goal of stepping into an Uncommon Principal role upon completion of the Fellowship, in which they will co-lead a school alongside an Uncommon Director of Operations. This Principal Fellow and eventual Principal is a full-time employee, hired, supported, and evaluated by the Regional Superintendent of Instruction and the Senior Director of School Support.  The fellowship is based on a foundation of core elements aligned to the competencies of Uncommon Principals. Each element is designed to build Principal Fellows’ capacity towards becoming effective instructional school leaders:

Feedback and Assessment 

Feedback, especially individualized feedback, is the main tool that will support the Principal Fellow’s growth as a leader and is the main reason our schools go from good to great. Principal Fellows will receive feedback formally and informally throughout the Fellowship during their time in schools, professional development, and in cross-regional Fellow cohort gatherings. This will include feedback from the Principal Fellow’s Host Principal, the Regional Superintendent of Instruction, and the Senior Director of School Support. 

School Immersion 

By integrating fully into the day-to-day activities of an Uncommon school, Principal Fellows will gain exposure to situations they may face as a school leader and be challenged to manage the complexity of scenarios that occur at a school.  Principal Fellows will work with their Host Principal and the Senior Director of School Support throughout their Fellowship to plan how they will master the skills and competencies needed to lead a high-performing school, including Instructional Leadership, Teacher Development, School Culture, and Family Engagement. Principal Fellows are “in the driver’s seat” of their learning and must seek and plan for opportunities throughout their Fellowship to demonstrate a leadership presence and readiness to lead while being fully immersed within a school.

Professional Development

Principal Fellows join our Principals in monthly, cross-regional professional development. This is an important opportunity to learn alongside Principals and cohort members about the most up-to-date instructional leadership and people management best practices to develop your leadership capabilities. 

In addition, Principal Fellows will attend a series of cohort-specific professional development workshops which are more intimate and allow for more “at-bats,” practice and direct application to their school immersion. These cohort sessions will provide opportunities for Principal Fellows to look to one another for professional and personal support.