Principal Selection Criteria

The following criteria summarize the characteristics shared by every Newark Public School principal and are the basis for all principal selection decisions.

Belief and Urgency

• Passionately believes that every student, regardless of background, can achieve success at the collegiate level
• Creates a collective sense of urgency around driving student achievement

Personal Responsibility and Relentless Drive

• Holds self personally responsible for ensuring high academic achievement of all students
• Demonstrates relentless drive to achieve goals and results

Results Orientation

• Exhibits strong focus on goals and results, and sets clear metrics for success
• Monitors progress and adjusts to reach goals
• Demonstrates resourcefulness to achieve goals and results

Strategic Problem-Solving

• Identifies problems; analyzes and diagnoses complex issues and root causes
• Prioritizes the most critical issues and related action steps to have the greatest impact on student achievement
• Anticipates and prepares for subsequent risks and challenges
• Articulates clear action plan to address identified issues and balances big picture with detailed steps to reach end goal

Instructional Expertise

• Demonstrates knowledge of and implements effective instructional practices to meet the needs of all students
• Uses data to inform instruction
• Diagnoses quality of instruction and distinguishes between ineffective, effective, and highly effective teaching

Coaching and Development

• Identifies teacher's strengths and growth areas and supports teachers in identifying, prioritizing and using effective instructional strategies that will impact student achievement
• Effectively delivers feedback and coaching; demonstrates multiple strategies to support teacher development in a way that will increase student achievement

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Articulates a clear point of view in a coherent, concise, and compelling manner; supports perspective with rationale and details
• Tailors message for the audience, context, and mode of communication
• Actively listens to others, asks questions to clarify and demonstrates understanding
• Demonstrates cultural competence - treats all with dignity and respect, honors differences, views diversity as a benefit, and interacts knowledgably, respectfully, and constructively among cultural groups
• Consistently exhibits poise and professionalism, especially when under pressure

Adult Leadership

• Motivates and moves other adults to have ownership and take action to achieve ambitious goals
• Holds adults accountable and exhibits courage to have difficult conversations
• Considers diverse perspectives in order to make informed decisions in the best interest of students
• Anticipates and manages conflict to effective and productive resolution
• Builds coalitions and works collaboratively with diverse stakeholders at all levels

Strategic Change Management

• Articulates a clear vision and mission and builds buy-in and urgency to achieve it
• Removes obstacles to change and creates short-term wins
• Personally demonstrates flexibility to adjust to changing circumstances

Self-Awareness and Commitment to Ongoing Learning

• Accurately self-assesses strengths, substantive growth areas and pursues one's own growth and development
• Demonstrates strong awareness of both impact on and perception by others; uses this awareness to adapt communications and actions
• Consistently seeks out and incorporates feedback from others