Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders: KIPP Texas’ Principal In Residence (PIR) Program

October is National Principals Month! Throughout the month, we’re recognizing and honoring the essential role that our school leaders play in creating joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare our students to pursue any path they choose — college, career, and beyond — so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world. 

What is the Principal in Residence Program?

We believe in the development of  all staff members, including our aspiring principals. KIPP Texas has invested in a highly-selective residency program called the Principal In Residence (PIR) program to cultivate a talent pipeline that leads to the development and placement of school leaders. 

The PIR program is a two year program designed to prepare our aspiring school leaders with the knowledge, skills, and tools they need to successfully lead a KIPP Texas school as either a successor or a founder. Selected PIR’s are full-time, salaried employees and operate as members of their school leadership team. 

“It was a privilege to complete the PIR program. I understand the skills and competencies I need to be an effective leader, and I am able to apply them to my daily work. I understand what it takes to produce a high quality school.”  – Latasha Henry School, School Leader at KIPP Legacy Preparatory

Principal in Residence Requirements

At KIPP Texas, we value the unique talents and gifts of everyone who walks through our doors. We believe in equity-centered leadership and incorporate high-leverage instructional strategies to support all students. If you are a proven leader ready to take the next step in your career, a strong PIR candidate is someone who currently:

• Has at least 2 years of teaching experience
• Has at least 1 year of school-level leadership experience (Assistant Principal, Dean of Instruction, or Instructional Coach)
• Is open to other roles responsible for teacher development and performance enhancement
• Has proven academic results
• Desires to be a principal in one to two years

Program Overview

The PIR program follows a cohort model that provides coaching and development with a mentor school leader and the director of leadership development. Throughout the program, residents will adhere to our customized development plan and must pass approximately 40 performance assessments to demonstrate school leader readiness. Examples of skills evaluated during these assessments are:

• Set and communicate vision and goals for, and execute, a school-wide initiative/priority that addresses an identified inequity, including backwards planning and progress monitoring to ensure the priority is successful
• Develop a teacher/future leader through the 70/20/10 development plan
• Address a breach of culture in an individual or grade level/department setting
• Demonstrate understanding of relationship between standards, curriculum and assessment in and outside of a content or grade level
• Demonstrate understanding of one’s identity and how his/her identity/role provides privilege and power

PIRs that demonstrate success in school leader readiness can transition into the role as a successor or founding school leader role at a KIPP Texas school. 

“I believe that the PIR program supports residents in becoming people-first, highly-skilled leaders,” said Stephanie Kaplun, Director of Leadership Development. “As PIRs follow our roadmap towards school leadership, they learn both the importance of and how to support their staff  towards their goals and aspirations and increasing opportunities for students.”

Application Process

The KIPP Texas Principal in Residence program has a very selective process. Interested candidates may submit their resume and cover letter on our career development page. Applications will become available November 13, 2023 for SY24-25.

Qualified applicants will have the opportunity to participate in a thorough and equitable hiring process starting with an initial interview, followed by the submission of pre-work assessments and references.

If a candidate moves forward, they will participate in a panel interview panel with regional and school leadership teams, the head of schools, and members of the development team before the final interview.

Start Your Application Today!

To learn how KIPP Texas supports you in every stage of your leadership development journey, explore our teacher and leadership programming on our career development page.

KIPP Texas hires a diverse team of dynamic, collaborative, and dedicated individuals with unyielding belief that every child will succeed. We are always seeking qualified teachers and leaders to join our organization. To learn more about our open roles, visit kipptexas.org/careers.