Principal

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 Open May 23, 2025 - June 13, 2025

Principal Position Overview: 

Title:   Principal Administrator 

Reports To:  Governing Board 

Salary:   $90,000 - $120,000 annual salary

Benefits: Individual health, life, dental, visual and disability insurance will be paid 100% by RBS.  IPERS retirement benefits offered.

This is a full-time, exempt position 

We are welcoming a steward, a guide, and a co-creator to apply for a position as principal of the Red Barn Schoolhouse. Here you’ll lead the way in creating a groundbreaking educational experience that blends nature, community, and artistic creativity. We employ a year-round calendar and a four-day student week designed to support both deep learning, educator well-being, and will shape a school and curriculum that honors seasonal cycles, ecological awareness, and outdoor learning. Fridays are dedicated to teacher planning, reflection, and professional collaboration, ensuring that educators have the time and space to innovate, document learning, and refine their practice. We are searching for an educational leader and storyteller to guide this emergent process and has the ability to hold both vision and structure

—balancing innovation with organizational leadership. Candidates will need a strong belief in academic excellence as a foundation for lifelong learning and believes children thrive when they are: 

● Seen, heard, and deeply engaged in their own learning journeys. 

● Invited into meaningful exploration through nature, art, and inquiry. 

● Surrounded by adults who trust their innate curiosity and capabilities. 

● Challenged and supported in achieving academic excellence through hands-on, inquiry-driven learning. 

If this speaks to you—we invite you to step forward and be part of an exciting educational journey. 

Preferred Education & Experience: 

● Minimum Bachelor's degree in Educational Leadership, Curriculum  & Instruction or a related field. 

● Minimum five years of teaching experience. 

● Experience in school leadership, administration, or program development (or an equivalent role where you’ve guided teams through visionary change).

● Administrative certification preferred. 

Preferred Leadership & Management Skills: 

● Ability to hire, mentor, and support teachers, especially in co-teaching models. 

● Self-starter with the ability to lead innovative curriculum and instructional strategies. 

● Experience managing school operations, including budgeting, scheduling, and compliance with state/federal education policies. 

● Support teachers in comprehensive evaluation, including documentation (photos, video, storytelling) to make learning visible and reflective. 

● Strong collaborator with skills in conflict resolution and team-building and a willingness to build a culture of mutual respect among staff and families. 

● Ability to work with boards, parents, and diverse community stakeholders to advance the school’s mission. 

Curriculum & Instructional Focuses: 

● Knowledge of nature-, project-, and/or art-based learning methodologies. 

● Ability to facilitate the implementation of an integrated curriculum that aligns with state standards and prioritizes outdoor learning. 

● Understanding of child development and diverse learning needs in outdoor settings. 

● Preference given to familiarity with forest school, Waldorf, Reggio Emilia, place-based learning, or emergent curriculum models. 

Community & Family Engagement: 

● Strong communication and relationship-building skills with parents, staff, and local partners. 

● Ability to foster a welcoming, inclusive, and diverse school culture. 

● Experience in fundraising, grant writing, or securing resources for outdoor programs.  

Red Barn Schoolhouse adheres to all non-discriminatory practices as described in Iowa Code, in particular, Section.216.6. The Red Barn Schoolhouse does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Application: 

Please forward a resume, cover letter and three professional references to:  

info@redbarnschoolhouse.org by June 13, 2025.