Early Childhood Principal

Position Posting: Early Childhood Principal 

Location: Harrison Community Schools - Harrison, Michigan
Position Type: Full-Time, 45-week Administrator
Start Date: August 3, 2026
Salary: Administrator Salary Schedule; includes comprehensive benefits package

Deadline to Apply: May 22, 2026

About the Role

Harrison Community Schools is seeking a dynamic, student-centered Early Childhood Principal to lead our Preschool and Kindergarten programs, including developmental kindergarten. This leader will play a critical role in shaping foundational learning experiences, with a strong emphasis on early literacy, whole-child development, and family engagement. 

We are looking for an instructional leader with deep expertise in early childhood education who can support staff, partner with families, and ensure all students build a strong academic and social-emotional foundation.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide visionary leadership for Preschool and Kindergarten programs aligned with district goals
• Serve as the instructional leader with a strong focus on early literacy development, including phonemic awareness, phonics, language development, and emergent reading practices
• Co-lead district K-3 literacy initiatives
• Supervise, support, and evaluate teaching and support staff
• Lead implementation of research-based early childhood curriculum and assessment practices
• Use data to drive instructional decisions and improve student outcomes
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate school culture
• Build strong partnerships with families and the community
• Support Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) for academic and behavioral needs
• Ensure compliance with Michigan early childhood regulations and licensing requirements
• Manage building operations, scheduling, and budgeting

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in Educational Leadership, Early Childhood Education, or related field
• Valid Michigan Administrator Certificate (or eligibility to obtain)
• Early Childhood (ZS) Endorsement (birth - age 8); will consider a ZN endorsement
• Minimum of 3–5 years of successful teaching experience in early childhood settings
• Demonstrated knowledge of early literacy instruction and best practices

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous administrative or leadership experience
• Strong background in literacy initiatives (e.g., Science of Reading, early intervention strategies)
• Experience with developmental kindergarten
• Experience working in rural and/or high-poverty communities
• Knowledge of trauma-informed practices and whole-child supports
• Experience with grant-funded programming (e.g., GSRP or other early childhood funding sources)

Key Competencies

• Instructional leadership in early childhood and literacy
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Data-driven decision-making
• Collaborative leadership style
• Commitment to equity and student-centered practices

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit: 1) resume; 2) copies of certifications;  3) contact information for three professional references; and 4) a brief video, not to exceed 3 minutes, introducing yourself and why our district and this position are of interest to you, to Judy Walton, Superintendent (juwalton@harrisonschools.com).