Principal

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced and compassionate Principal to serve as the educational leader of our school-based programs. This individual will oversee daily operations, instructional excellence, staff leadership, and program development while ensuring a safe, inclusive, and student-centered learning environment.

The Principal will work closely with leadership, clinical teams, families, and community partners to support the academic, behavioral, social, and emotional success of students. This role requires strong leadership, a commitment to compliance and educational excellence, and experience working with special needs populations.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and oversight of school-based programming
• Foster a safe, structured, and inclusive educational environment
• Supervise teachers, paraprofessionals, and administrative staff
• Support staff development, coaching, evaluations, and professional growth
• Lead curriculum planning and ensure alignment with Connecticut educational standards
• Oversee implementation of educator evaluation programs, including SEED and TEAM
• Manage daily school operations, including scheduling, supervision coverage, student flow, and school procedures
• Coordinate state testing, reporting, and student data compliance, including CT SEDS
• Partner with clinical teams to support behavioral management plans and therapeutic programming
• Participate in IEP, PPT, and 504 meetings as needed
• Lead staff meetings, grade-level collaboration, and instructional support team meetings
• Manage student referrals, census tracking, and enrollment coordination
• Build strong relationships with families, public/private agencies, and community partners
• Ensure compliance with school policies, state regulations, and organizational standards
• Assist with staff recruitment, onboarding, scheduling, and performance management
• Promote a culture of equity, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement

Qualifications

• Experience working with special needs students in an educational setting required
• Background in behavioral management and special education strongly preferred
• Proven leadership, administrative, and staff management experience
• Strong understanding of educational program development and implementation
• Excellent communication, organizational, and decision-making skills

Required Certifications

Candidates must hold one of the following Connecticut certifications:

• Intermediate Administration or Supervision (#092)
  AND one of the following:
• Special Education Certification (#165)
  OR
• School Social Work Certification (#071)

Additional requirements:

• CPR / First Aid certification (or ability to obtain)
• Crisis Prevention & Intervention certification (or ability to obtain)

Technology Experience

Experience with the following systems is preferred:

• Microsoft Office Suite
• Carelogic by Qualifacts
• ADP WFM / ADP WFN
• Connecticut Special Education Data System (CT SEDS)

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced educational leader passionate about supporting students with specialized academic and behavioral needs in a collaborative environment.