Principal in Residence (PIR)

The Opportunity: 

The Principal in Residence (PIR) program at Phalen Leadership Academies (PLA) is a one-year leadership residency designed to prepare high-potential leaders to become principals of PLA schools. Through a combination of hands-on leadership experience, targeted professional development, and one-on-one coaching, PIRs gain the skills, knowledge, and mindset required to successfully lead a school. PIRs are placed at high-performing PLA schools and work closely with their regional director and national leadership coach. Throughout the residency, PIRs are active members of the school leadership team and are expected to lead key school initiatives, supervise staff, and contribute to the school’s academic and operational success.

Program Goals
PIRs are expected to:

• Complete a rigorous 12-month leadership residency while simultaneously fulfilling a full-time administrative role within the school or organization
• Attend all monthly professional development sessions and weekly coaching calls
• Help ensure the placement school achieves the following organizational goals:
• 7%+ increase in student proficiency in both Math and ELA
• 90% retention of Highly Effective and Effective teachers
• 100% student enrollment goals met, with 90% year-over-year student persistence

• Observe classrooms and deliver actionable feedback using PLA’s coaching framework.
• Lead data-driven instructional planning and monitor academic progress
• Support intervention and enrichment efforts aligned to student needs and school goals
• Champion high-quality, standards-aligned instruction in all content areas

• Supervise and coach a team of teachers or instructional staff toward clear performance goals
• Lead weekly data meetings, PLCs, or department meetings
• Participate in and support teacher evaluation and coaching cycles
• Assist in onboarding and developing new instructional staff

• Co-lead implementation of PLA’s culture systems, ensuring consistency and equity
• Analyze behavior and attendance data to drive proactive student support strategies
• Manage family engagement initiatives, student discipline plans, and culture-building projects
• Plan and lead at least one school-wide event or initiative to strengthen student and family
• culture

• Participate in school strategy meetings and contribute to the school improvement plan.
• Support or lead projects, including master scheduling, testing, or recruitment events
• Manage key logistics such as substitute coverage and operational compliance.
• Represent the school at board meetings, family forums, or community events.

• Attend and actively participate in monthly national training sessions and PLA’s summer training
• institute
• Engage in weekly coaching sessions and apply feedback to improve practice
• Complete leadership assignments and build a portfolio of artifacts demonstrating readiness
• Exhibit initiative, coachability, and ownership over your leadership growth

• Master’s degree (or enrollment in a master’s program) in education, leadership, or related
• field
• At least 5+ years of K–12 teaching experience
• Experience managing adults (e.g., assistant principals, deans, coaches, department/grade
• level lead)
• Proven ability to lead teams to achieve strong student outcomes
• Strong track record of using data to drive decisions and improve results
• Commitment to equity, excellence, and the mission of closing the opportunity gap for all
• scholars

• Instructional Expertise: Able to identify, model, and support high-quality instruction
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Comfortable collecting, analyzing, and using data to drive
• action
• Adult Leadership & Management: Skilled in building accountability and coaching others to
• grow
• Communication & Influence: Communicates with clarity and impact across audiences
• Resilience & Growth Mindset: Demonstrates persistence, humility, and a drive to improve continuously

The Network: PLA is a transformative education nonprofit that is changing communities across the country by providing a depth of resources not found in the traditional education model.  In addition to serving as one of the country’s best turnaround school operators and successfully launching charter school start-ups, PLA also provides our school communities with a successful, research-based summer learning program (Summer Advantage), a successful Reading and Math Intervention program (Reading and Math Advantage), and a workforce development program (Skilled US) that provides expanded opportunities for our high school graduates, along with the family members of our current staff and students. This menu of programs and services is unique to our network, sets us apart from other organizations, and provides expanded opportunities for our staff through career advancement opportunities and expanded income opportunities. 

PLA is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.  We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristics as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. 

Please read carefully.

Phalen Leadership Academies (PLA) is an equal opportunity employer. PLA does not discriminate in employment on account of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, age, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, military status or unfavorable discharge from military service.

By completing this application you understand that neither the completion of this application nor any other part of my consideration for employment establishes any obligation for PLA to hire me. If hired, I understand that either PLA or I can terminate my employment at any time and for any reason, with or without cause and without prior notice. I understand that no representative of PLA has the authority to make any assurance to the contrary.

You attest by applying to this position that you have given PLA true and complete information on this application. No requested information has been concealed. I authorize PLA to contact references provided for employment reference checks. If any information I have provided is untrue, or if I have concealed material information, I understand that this will constitute cause for the denial of employment or immediate dismissal.