Middle School Principal at The International School of Kenya

Responsibilities of the Middle School Principal

• The Middle School Principal is the educational leader of ISK’s Middle School, responsible for bringing the school’s Mission, Vision, and Aims to life for approximately 220–240 students and 35–40 faculty and support staff. This role blends inspirational leadership with strategic operational oversight to ensure a dynamic learning environment where all students can thrive.
• The Principal fosters a culture of belonging, innovation, and academic excellence, guiding curriculum, pedagogy, and professional learning with a focus on inclusion, student well-being, and international-mindedness.
• Key areas of responsibility include:
  • Curriculum and instructional leadership
  • Faculty growth and evaluation
  • Resource management
  • Parent and community engagement
  • Cultural responsiveness and safeguarding
  • Fostering a positive, inclusive school climate
• This is a pivotal leadership role at a time of continued growth and development for ISK. The Middle School Principal serves as a core member of a strategic and collaborative Leadership
• Team, contributing to the school’s ongoing commitment to excellence, innovation, diversity, and holistic education.

Leading for Learning:

• Leads and supports the implementation of the ISK Mission, Vision, and Educational Aims.
• Cultivates a collaborative learning community, motivating and mobilizing people for an ethos of adaptive change.
• Leads with cultural humility, actively working to build a school climate where all students and staff feel a strong sense of identity, belonging, and inclusion.
• Has a growth mindset in support of strategic initiatives.
• Guides assessment practices (external, internal, common assessments) and communicates learning results transparently and equitably.
• Supervises and leads the ongoing professional development of faculty, with a focus on culturally responsive teaching and the use of student learning data to inform instructional practice.
• Supports a philosophy of inclusion and the ongoing development of student-directed learning through the UDL and MTSS frameworks.
• Creates collaborative partnerships in a caring and culturally responsive environment with all stakeholder groups.
• Has a visible, engaged presence within the middle school community, building trusting relationships with students, teachers, and parents.
• Serves as a thoughtful contributor and collaborative leader within the school’s Leadership
• Team—advocating for the unique needs of the middle school while supporting decisions that advance the mission and strategic goals of the whole school.
• Champions safeguarding practices by embedding a culture of care, protection, and ethical responsibility into daily school life.

Managing for Learning:

• Oversees the design of middle school programming and scheduling to ensure alignment of the educational program with the diverse learning and developmental needs of students.
• Develops and sustains open communication channels within the middle school community to foster trust, empathy, and shared responsibility.
• Allocates resources (including time) productively and creatively for optimal learning and equitable access.
• Coordinates the preparation of the annual middle school budget and monitors its implementation with a focus on transparency and student impact.
• Leverages student information systems and digital tools to enhance communication, data-informed decision-making, and operational efficiency.
• Responds to day-to-day challenges with calm, clarity, and a commitment to student dignity and well-being—including behavior, parent communication, and operations.
• Ensures that middle school events, trips, and co-curricular programs are developmentally appropriate learning experiences aligned with ISK’s Mission, Vision, and Aims, with student safety and safeguarding standards at the forefront.
• Recruits, develops, and supports high-quality faculty and staff who are culturally competent, mission-aligned, and committed to inclusive, student-centered professional growth.
• Leads and collaborates with the counseling team to ensure holistic student well-being, with attention to mental health, identity development, and successful transitions to high school pathways where all students can thrive.

Qualifications:

• It is expected that candidates for this position will be highly qualified educators capable of leading a faculty toward measurable improvement in the learning environment and overall student experience. Characteristics and qualifications of the ideal person for this position would include:
• A Master’s Degree in Educational Administration, Leadership, or a related field (Administrative Certification preferred).

Successful prior experience:

• At least 10 years of teaching experience, including work with early adolescents.
• A minimum of five years in a significant leadership role, preferably as a Middle School Principal, in a culturally diverse international school.
• Demonstrated ability to guide colleagues in curriculum transformation, improve instructional practices, and implement innovative learning designs.
• Proven success in leading the implementation of inclusive practices, such as Universal Design for
• Learning (UDL) and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS).
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability and desire to work collaboratively within the school community.
• A community-oriented, student-centered, and passionate approach to leadership.
• Proficiency in the use of current educational and communication technologies.
• An energetic, goal-oriented, and self-motivated mindset, with an optimistic, “can-do” approach to challenges and transformational change.
• Integrity and clarity in personal values, including a genuine love of learning and a deep respect for students as individuals.
• Adaptability, resilience, and a sense of humor appropriate to a vibrant Middle School environment.
• A track record of collaboration, including skill in facilitating dialogue, active listening, and fostering innovation.