Roaring Fork School District | Glenwood Springs, CO
Salary: $106,413 – $129,136 | 204 Days/Year | Full Benefits Package
Sopris Elementary School is a place where tradition meets innovation, where children are known and celebrated, and where learning is a joyful, inclusive, and purposeful journey. We're searching for a collaborative, student-centered, and community-minded leader who will carry forward the momentum of our beloved school and help shape its next chapter with heart, humility, and high standards. This is not just a leadership position, it's a chance to become part of a school family in a tight-knit community. If you're someone who leads with both compassion and clarity, who believes in the brilliance of every child, and who’s not afraid to get a pie in the face during spirit week, we’d love to meet you.
About the Role
- The Principal of Sopris Elementary serves as an instructional, cultural, and operational leader of the school. Reporting to the Chief Academic Officer and Executive Director of Schools, this role directly supervises licensed and non-licensed building staff and fosters a positive, inclusive, and growth-oriented school culture.
What We are Looking For
- Supportive, Caring and holds students, staff, and self accountable to high standards. Encourages academic rigor. Leads by example. Visible in the school and community.
- Has the ability to work collaboratively with teams, including specialist teams, towards the common goal of consistent improvement. Manages and prioritizes through trust rather than micromanagement. Facilitates and strengthens staff sense of collective efficacy - shared goal setting, collaboration and “moving forward together.”
- Consistent and fair, kind and compassionate, an active listener who shows confidence in decision-making, willingness to jump in to help with tasks big and small.
- Knowledge and understanding of Special Education and Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Education (CLDE), and Early Childhood Education (ECE) best practices and programming.
- Values the history, traditions and culture of Sopris Elementary School and knows or is adept at learning the community context of the school.
- Elementary classroom experience - a strong instructional leader who is concerned with the growth of the whole child, respects a variety of teaching styles, demonstrates knowledge of developmentally appropriate best practices, and enjoys working with students!
- Calm through conflict. Emotionally regulated. Skilled at navigating difficult conversations. Understands change management.
- Demonstrates humility, integrity, adaptability, cultural awareness, organizational skills, diligence, neutrality, consistency…and the just the right amount of silliness.
Minimum Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Education or related field
- Valid Colorado Principal License, or enrollment in a program to obtain one
- Valid Colorado driver’s license (or ability to obtain)
- At least 3 years teaching experience and 3 years in a leadership role (Assistant Principal, Instructional Coach, etc.)
- Elementary teaching background and knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices
Why SES and Roaring Fork Schools?
- A school where your presence and passion will make a daily difference
- A supportive and mission-driven district that values innovation, equity, and the whole child
- Salary: $106,413 – $129,136 (based on experience)
- Contract: 204 days/year, paid over 12 months
- Generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, retirement (Colorado PERA), EAP, parental leave, and local perks like discounted ski passes
With 14 schools and 5,600 students, the Roaring Fork School District is located in the culturally vibrant and naturally stunning Roaring Fork Valley serving the communities of Glenwood Springs, Carbondale, and Basalt. The Roaring Fork Schools believe that teachers are our most important asset, and our teachers enjoy a true teacher voice in decision-making; clear and collaborative leadership; small class sizes; a highly competitive and progressive salary schedule; access to our affordable housing program; and a culture of self-care and well-being. We believe diversity is a strength, and our staff makes a real difference for our students who come from different ethnicities, cultures, and socio-economic backgrounds.
Ready to Lead With Heart? -
Come lead with compassion, clarity, and community at Sopris Elementary School—where we believe every child and every staff member matters. Bring your wisdom, your joy, your commitment, and your sense of fun—we’re ready to welcome you.
Learn more about us: https://www.ses.rfsd.k12.co.us/
