Principal in Residence

About Us:

Freedom Preparatory Academy Charter Schools (www.freedomprep.org) is a network of PreK-12 free public charter schools serving students in Memphis, TN, and Birmingham, AL. Our mission is to prepare all students in grades PreK-12 to excel in college and in life. Since our founding in 2009, we have grown from a class of 96 sixth grade students to now serving over 1950 students across multiple campuses. In 2024, we expanded into Birmingham, AL, starting with grades K-1, with plans to grow to a K-5 campus. 

At Freedom Prep, we are committed to transforming education for students of color across the South, ensuring they have access to high-quality educational opportunities that empower them to thrive. Over the past 15 years, our students have consistently exceeded both local and state averages in math and have surpassed local benchmarks in English Language Arts on state assessments. Our mission is guided by three core beliefs: every child deserves the right to a high-quality public education, character development is essential to student success, and exposure to diverse opportunities builds the confidence and skills needed to excel in college and in life.

At Freedom Prep, we cultivate a structured, academically rigorous environment that fosters excellence in core subjects, promotes advanced academic skills, and encourages students to embody the core values of Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Excellence, and Community.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Principal in Residence (PIR) is an integral part of the school leadership pathway with the primary goal of building and sustaining high-performing schools. Engaging in a one-year residency program, the PIR develops adaptive, technical, and managerial skills to lead a Freedom Prep school as either a Successor or a Founder. As a Principal in Residence, you must be open to any location after your residency which include: Memphis, TN, Birmingham, AL, or Montgomery, AL. 

RESIDENCY PROGRAM:

In the one-year program, PIRs are on an accelerated track to become Successors at their placement school or Founders in a community they will establish a school in. 

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Throughout the development program, the PIR's role mirrors that of an Assistant Principal, focusing on coaching and developing teachers, teacher leaders, and deans. The PIR contributes to the academic and cultural vision of the school, with the role evolving towards that of a School Leader towards the program's end.

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:

PIRs actively develop leadership competencies, including a student focus, direction setting, achievement orientation, equity-centered leadership, instructional leadership, and relationship building. They work towards achieving academic success and holistic growth while participating in the Freedom Prep PIR cohort.

RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM:

• Support the Principal in leading and overseeing the school’s instructional program.

• Analyze student achievement and teacher performance data.

• Ensure dramatic achievement gains and meet performance goals.

• Teach and reinforce behavior management systems.

• Manage a team of teachers and staff, providing professional development.

• Maintain communication with families and engage in home visits.

• Collaborate with the leadership team to reinforce a data-centered and achievement-oriented school culture.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Candidates must have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree preferred

• Minimum 4 years of teaching experience

• Minimum 2 years in Assistant Academic Leadership role (AP/AHOS/Instructional Coach)

• Minimum 1 year Senior Academic Leadership (Principal/Head of School)

• Valid Tennessee/Alabama teaching license and endorsement(s)

• Valid Professional Leadership Certification 

• Strong records of academic success, experience in underserved communities

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications are required

• Ideal candidates possess mastery of K-12 academic subjects, a track record of achieving student success, optimism, excellent communication skills, and organizational skills

We are excited that you are inspired or called to learn more about our mission, values, and potential opportunities. We’d encourage you to explore a few additional resources about us, the recent investment for what’s possible, and why you should consider our community as a place for you to become a part of. We are one of the few networks that centers the whole person and their needs to thrive and support themselves and their families in the South.

BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION: At Freedom Prep, we prioritize transparency in everything we do. We believe that open communication fosters trust and collaboration. As part of this commitment, we make our salary scales available online for you to view, ensuring clarity and fairness in our compensation practices. You can view our compensation scales on our website. Please click HERE to be redirected.

Check out some of the unique and rare benefits here, including but not limited to: 

-Paying higher, scaffolded teacher salaries from Year 1 to retirement stage

-Zero dollar monthly premium options, including holistic options such as chiropractic or acupuncture care (TN ONLY)

-Focus on staff well-being and collective care through our Adult Social-Emotional Learning

-Support in obtaining licensure

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY: Freedom Preparatory Academy is actively seeking to build a diverse and experienced team of educators. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin. We are an equal opportunity employer.