Assistant Principal of Culture

Assistant Principal of Culture

Memphis Grizzlies Preparatory Charter School
Location: Memphis, TN
FLSA: Exempt
Reports To: Principal, Memphis Grizzlies Prep

Start Date: July 2026 (or earlier, depending on readiness)
Salary Band: $75,000–$95,000

About Memphis Grizzlies Prep

Grizzlies Prep is the only charter school in the nation affiliated with an NBA team. Memphis Grizzlies Prep (MGP)
was founded in 2012–13 and is an all-boys, college-preparatory middle school serving grades 6–8. With a
student body that is 93% African American and 20% SPED, MGP is redefining what is possible for boys in one of
the poorest major cities in the United States.

Over the past four years, MGP has achieved Level 5 TVAAS growth each year, moved from the 25th to the 80th
percentile in state test growth, and been named a Reward School three times.

Building on this success, MGP is entering its next phase of growth with the planned launch of Memphis Grizzlies
Prep STEAM School for Girls, creating a two-school network committed to excellence, equity, and culturally
affirming education. This role may be either at the boys’ or girls’ campus.

Position Summary

The Assistant Principal of Culture is responsible for ensuring that Memphis Grizzlies Prep maintains a joyful,
structured, and character-driven school culture that enables exceptional academic learning.
Working closely with the Principal, the Assistant Principal of Culture leads the design and implementation of
systems that shape student behavior, character development, attendance, and daily school routines.
This leader also serves as an instructional coach, supporting teachers in classroom management, student
engagement, and culturally responsive practices so that every classroom reflects the school’s high expectations
for both learning and character.

The Assistant Principal of Culture manages culture staff, monitors behavioral and attendance data, partners
closely with families, and serves as a highly visible steward of the school’s student-centered culture.

Core Responsibilities

School Culture & Student Development

• Build and sustain a school culture rooted in character formation and academic excellence.
• Lead implementation of the school-wide behavior management system to ensure consistency and fairness across classrooms.
• Ensure strong daily routines for arrival, transitions, lunch, dismissal, and other non-classroom moments.
• Develop and oversee incentives that reinforce habits of success including attendance, citizenship, and academic effort.
• Implement proactive and restorative approaches to student behavior that reduce suspension rates and strengthen accountability.
• Partner with counselors, special education staff, and families to implement individualized behavior supports including FBAs and BIPs.
• Lead student development programming including advisory systems, character development initiatives, and student leadership opportunities.
• Plan and oversee school-wide events and rituals that reinforce identity, belonging, and school pride.
• Maintain strong student attendance and partner with families to address chronic absenteeism.

Instructional Leadership

• Support teachers in building classrooms where strong culture and strong instruction coexist.
• Conduct regular classroom walkthroughs focused on classroom management, student engagement, and learning environment.
• Provide real-time coaching and feedback to teachers to strengthen classroom management and student relationships.
• Lead professional development aligned to classroom culture, student engagement, and social-emotional learning.
• Model effective classroom practice through co-teaching, demonstration lessons, or targeted interventions.
• Support teachers in designing lessons that meet both academic and behavioral needs of students.
• Participate in formal teacher observations and evaluation processes as assigned by the Principal.

Student Behavior Systems & Data

• Ensure behavior systems are data-informed, proactive, and continuously improving.
• Monitor and analyze schoolwide behavior data including detentions, suspensions, attendance, and other
• key indicators.
• Identify trends and design interventions to address areas of concern.
• Coordinate in-school suspension, detention systems, and behavior interventions.
• Maintain accurate behavioral records and ensure compliance with school, district, and state policies.
• Provide regular updates to the Principal and leadership team on school culture metrics and progress.

Staff Leadership & Team Development

• Develop and manage the team responsible for maintaining a strong student culture.
• Supervise culture team members including behavior interventionists, aides, and other support staff.
• Provide clear expectations, ongoing feedback, and professional development to team members.
• Collaborate with grade-level teams to ensure consistent implementation of culture systems.
• Promote a professional culture defined by teamwork, accountability, and shared responsibility for student success.

Family & Community Engagement

• Build strong partnerships with families to support student growth and success.
• Communicate regularly with families regarding student behavior, attendance, and development.
• Facilitate family meetings related to student interventions when needed.
• Lead family engagement efforts related to school culture and student expectations.
• Serve as a visible presence during arrival, dismissal, school events, and daily school life.
• Reinforce family partnership in supporting the school’s culture and expectations.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree in Education, Educational Leadership, or related field
• Minimum 3 years of exemplary teaching experience
• Minimum 2–4 years of school leadership experience (Dean, AP, instructional coach, or comparable role)
• Demonstrated ability to build strong classroom management and student culture systems
• Experience coaching and developing teachers
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in high-performing urban or charter schools
• Experience supporting African American students in culturally responsive environments
• Experience with behavior intervention frameworks (RTI2-B, FBAs, BIPs, SEL systems)
• Tennessee administrative license or ability to obtain within six months
• Experience leading school-wide culture or discipline systems

What We’re Looking For

The Ideal Assistant Principal of Culture Is:

• A culture builder who creates structured, joyful environments where students thrive
• A coach who strengthens teachers through clear, actionable feedback
• A systems thinker who builds consistent behavior and attendance systems
• A data-driven leader who uses evidence to improve student outcomes
• A visible and engaged leader deeply present in the daily life of the school
• A champion for students committed to rewriting what is possible in Memphis

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods standing and actively monitoring student behavior while teaching
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times
• Must be able to assist students who have physical impairments
• Must be able to traverse classrooms and hallways, including stairs
• Prolonged periods sitting and working on a computer to complete necessary documentation

Americans With Disabilities Act Compliance

• Grizzlies Prep is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires Grizzlies Prep to provide adequate
  accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are
  encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.

To apply, please send a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references to
careers@grizzliesprep.org.

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