Duties

Key Responsibilities

Instructional Leadership

• Serve as the primary instructional leader, ensuring high-quality, standards-aligned instruction across all content areas.
• Lead the implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices.
• Conduct meaningful classroom observations and walkthroughs, providing timely and actionable feedback to support teacher growth.
• Use multiple sources of data (academic, attendance, behavior, and assessment) to guide instructional decisions and school improvement efforts.
• Support and develop Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) focused on student learning, instructional alignment, and equity.

School Culture & Student Support

• Foster a safe, inclusive, and supportive school environment where all students feel known, valued, and challenged.
• Promote positive student behavior, engagement, and attendance through proactive systems and supports.
• Support social-emotional learning, student well-being, and postsecondary readiness (college, career, and military).
• Collaborate with the district counselor, SOAR Liaison, social workers, psychologist, special education staff, and support personnel to meet diverse student needs.

Staff Leadership & Development

• Recruit, hire, support, and retain high-quality staff aligned with the district’s mission and values.
• Provide leadership in staff supervision, evaluation, and professional growth aligned with Illinois Performance Evaluation Reform Act (PERA) requirements.
• Encourage teacher leadership, collaboration, innovation, and reflective practice.
• Build a culture of trust, accountability, and shared responsibility for student success.

Family & Community Engagement

• Maintain strong, consistent communication with families and community stakeholders.
• Build partnerships with parents, local organizations, and businesses to support student learning and expanded opportunities.
• Represent the school positively at district and community events.

Operations & Management

• Oversee daily school operations, including schedules, student discipline, and extracurricular programs.
• Ensure compliance with district policies and state and federal regulations.
• Collaborate with district administration on budgeting, staffing, safety planning, and facility needs.
• Support district initiatives, including grade-level transitions and long-range planning.

Qualifications

• Valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with General Administrative or Principal Endorsement required.
• Master’s degree required.
• Successful administrative experience at the secondary level preferred.
• Demonstrated strength in instructional leadership and data-informed decision-making.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and organizational skills.
• Commitment to continuous improvement, equity, and student-centered practices.

Salary/Benefits

Contract: 11-month (238-day) administrative contract; Board-paid TRS, with salary commensurate with experience.

Additional Notes

Heritage Community Unit School District #8 seeks a dynamic, student-centered High School Principal with a strong instructional leadership focus to lead Heritage High School. The successful candidate will serve as the instructional leader of the building, fostering high-quality teaching and learning, a positive school culture, and continuous improvement while building strong relationships with students, staff, families, and the community.

The Principal will work collaboratively with the Superintendent, the Elementary/Junior High Principal, and educators across the district to advance academic excellence, student engagement, and postsecondary readiness while supporting district priorities and long-term strategic initiatives.

How to Apply

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit the following to
Dr. Kimberly Norton, Superintendent
norton.kimberly@heritage8.org

• Letter of interest
• Current resume
• Copy of Illinois administrative licensure
• Three professional references

Applications will be reviewed as received until the position is filled.

Heritage CUSD #8 is an equal opportunity employer.

Email Address

norton.kimberly@heritage8.org

School District

Heritage CUSD #8

Position Website

www.heritage8.org

ILearn Link

ILearn

Report Card Link

District Report Card

Application Deadline

2/20/2026