Fees Principal Lead Learning Architect 2026-2027

TITLE: Fees Principal - Lead Learning Architect

About You:

You have a sense of urgency are conscientious and want your work to have an impact.

You enjoy being a key part of a strong positive and closely-knit team that you can lean on for support collaboration and share in each others success. You also have a great sense of fun.

You have the ability to learn quickly and thoroughly while continually recognizing and adapting to changing conditions.

You see the big picture and think and act strategically.

About Us:

Established in 1874 we have grown to 21 schools serving over 10000 students with over 50 languages spoken by our students.

Our organization is centered around our values and beliefs that our students are confident self-advocates with interpersonal and critical thinking skills who productively and innovatively make a positive impact in their current and future communities.

We are proud of the family-like culture that permeates our system. Our system boasts award winning faculty and principals high achieving students signature programs and unparalleled parental and community support.

We take our mission and vision seriously and we are committed to inspiring excellence in every child and every adult so that our students are prepared to embrace the opportunities of tomorrow. At TD3 you have an opportunity to change the world and life trajectory of over 10000 students.

Who Were Looking For:

Tempe Elementary School District is seeking a founding leader to serve as Fees Principal Lead Learning Architect for an innovative middle school model designed to expand what is possible for adolescent learners.

This role offers a unique opportunity to lead a school where students explore interests investigate real-world problems and develop academic technical and human skills through immersive learning experiences. The Lead Learning Architect will work alongside a team of talented educatorsInstructional Experience Designersto create a learning environment where curiosity is encouraged mastery matters and students move beyond passive consumption of information to active creation and problem solving.

The successful candidate will build strong partnerships with industry experts community organizations and higher education institutions to connect learning to authentic experiences and future pathways. This leader will guide the development of a school culture that values exploration collaboration and meaningful learning while maintaining strong academic expectations for all students.

This is an opportunity for a leader who believes middle school can be a time when students discover who they are what they care about and what they are capable of becoming.

The Lead Learning Architect will help shape a school model designed to inspire curiosity unlock opportunity and prepare students to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Masters Degree in Education Educational Administration or in a related field
2. Valid Arizona Teaching Certificate
3. Arizona Administrative (Principal) Certification
4. Three (3) to five (5) years of successful teaching experience in public schools (Middle School or secondary level preferred but not required)
5. Minimum three (3) years of successful Instructional Leadership experience in a Middle School orK-8 setting (required)

What Makes This Role Unique

Unlike a traditional middle school principalship the Lead Learning Architect is responsible for designing and evolving a learning model that connects academics with real-world exploration and future pathways.

This role requires a leader who is comfortable building new systems refining structures through iteration and leading adults through meaningful change. The Lead Learning Architect operates at the intersection of:

• Instructional leadership;
  
  
• program design;
  
  
• community partnership development;
  
  
• and operational leadership.

Success in this role requires the ability to move ideas into implementation while maintaining strong academic expectations a positive school culture and effective school operations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

(Essential functions as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act may include any of the following tasks knowledge skills and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all duties and responsibilities performed by the incumbents of this class.)

About the Role:

Why the role exists:

The Fees Principal - Lead Learning Architect serves as the instructional and operational leader of a school designed to engage students in inquiry-driven learning and career exploration.

This leader is responsible for building and sustaining a learning environment where students investigate real-world problems explore future pathways and develop academic technical and human skills through meaningful learning experiences.

Working in partnership with teachers district leadership families and community partners the Fees Principal - Lead Learning Architect ensures students are provided opportunities to explore multiple possibilities for their future while maintaining strong academic foundations.

The Fees Principal - Lead Learning Architect ensures innovative learning experiences are implemented with fidelity while maintaining high expectations for student achievement organizational effectiveness and a safe supportive school environment.

Responsibilities & Deliverables:

1. Talent & Capacity Development (Build and develop a team capable of designing and facilitating immersive inquiry-driven learning experiences.)

• Recruit develop and retain high-performing teachers.
• Establish a professional culture grounded in collaboration reflection and continuous improvement.
• Provide coaching and feedback to support interdisciplinary inquiry-driven instruction.
• Support educators in facilitating project-based learning career exploration and real-world problem solving.
• Design professional learning structures that encourage experimentation iteration and growth.
• Ensure strong classroom practice and high expectations for student learning across all classrooms.

1. Operational & Infrastructure Leadership (Develop the operational systems schedules and learning environments necessary to support immersive learning)

• Design and oversee schedules that allow students to explore multiple pathways and areas of interest.
• Ensure facilities labs and learning spaces support collaboration exploration and production.
• Coordinate the use of technology equipment and tools that support career-connected learning.
• Develop operational systems that support interdisciplinary projects and student exhibitions of learning.
• Oversee site-based budgeting staffing and resource allocation aligned to school goals.
• Ensure the school operates safely efficiently and in compliance with district state and federal requirements.

1. Learning Experience Leadership (Ensure learning experiences are rigorous inquiry-driven and connected to authentic applications)

• Guide the development of interdisciplinary learning experiences connected to real-world challenges and career pathways.
• Support educators in designing experiences that promote inquiry design thinking and problem solving.
• Ensure students move beyond passive learning toward creation collaboration and application of knowledge.
• Monitor student learning through performance-based assessments portfolios and demonstrations of mastery.
• Maintain strong academic expectations while supporting exploration of student interests and passions.
• Continuously evaluate and refine learning experiences based on student outcomes and feedback.

1. Community & Partnership Development (Build partnerships that expand opportunities for students and connect learning beyond the classroom)

• Develop partnerships with businesses industry professionals community organizations and higher education institutions.
• Coordinate mentorships guest speakers internships and career exploration opportunities.
• Engage families as partners in supporting student exploration and future pathways.
• Communicate the vision and progress of the school clearly with families and community partners.
• Position the school as a hub for innovation and opportunity within the district.

1. Continuous Innovation & Program Development (Lead the ongoing refinement of the school model through reflection evaluation and iteration)

• Monitor program implementation and student outcomes.
• Identify opportunities to improve learning experiences and operational systems.
• Scale effective practices across the school.
• Collaborate with district leadership to ensure alignment with district priorities and student needs.

Please note that the closing date for this posting may be changed at any time without prior notice

School:Fees Middle School

SALARY:Commensurate with experience (aligned to district administrative salary schedule)

WORK YEAR: 12 months

REPORTS TO: Superintendent or designee

EVALUATION: Principal Performance Appraisal

Required Experience:

Staff IC