Principal

Overview

Principal – Koinonia Christian School Red Deer & Emmaus Learning Community
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Position Type: Full-Time | Leadership
Start Date: August 24, 2026

About Us

Koinonia Christian School Red Deer Society exists to partner with Christian families in the discipleship and education of children. Through multiple educational pathways, we seek to help students flourish academically, spiritually, and personally as they are equipped to Transform, Renew, and Serve in the world for Christ.

Our authority operates two distinct but connected school programs:

Koinonia Christian School Red Deer Society

Koinonia Christian School Red Deer – A K–12 independent Christian school offering Alberta curriculum-based education within a Christ-centered learning environment.
Emmaus Learning Community – A Designated Special Education Program School (DSEPS) serving students with diverse learning needs through individualized programming and specialized supports.
Together, these schools serve a diverse student body through distinct programming models united by a shared commitment to Christian discipleship, educational excellence, and strong family partnerships.

Position Summary

The Principal provides spiritual, instructional, and operational leadership for both Koinonia Christian School Red Deer and Emmaus Learning Community. This role requires a mission-driven leader who can effectively oversee two unique educational environments while building a unified culture centered on student growth, staff development, and Christian formation.

The successful candidate will lead with wisdom, humility, and clarity while ensuring both schools operate in alignment with Alberta Education requirements, the school authority’s mission, and the Alberta Education Leadership Quality Standard (LQS).

Key Responsibilities

Spiritual Leadership

Model a vibrant and authentic Christian faith consistent with the school’s statement of faith
Demonstrate a clear Christian testimony and active involvement in a local evangelical church
Foster a Christ-centered school culture where faith is integrated into learning, relationships, and decision-making
Support discipleship initiatives for students, staff, and families
Lead chapel programming and spiritual formation efforts across both schools

Instructional Leadership

Lead teaching and learning excellence aligned with Alberta curriculum requirements
Ensure compliance with the Alberta Education Leadership Quality Standard (LQS) and support teacher growth aligned with the Teaching Quality Standard (TQS)
Oversee instructional supervision, classroom observations, staff evaluations, and professional growth plans
Use student achievement and wellness data to improve outcomes
Support differentiated instruction and specialized learning strategies within Emmaus Learning Community

Special Education Leadership

Provide oversight for individualized programming, inclusion strategies, and specialized supports within Emmaus
Ensure DSEPS compliance requirements are met
Collaborate with families, specialists, and staff to support students with complex learning needs
Oversee documentation, funding requirements, and accountability processes related to specialized programming

Operational Leadership

Oversee daily school operations, staffing, scheduling, and student discipline
Support enrollment growth and family retention initiatives
Collaborate with the Executive Principal and leadership team on strategic initiatives
Ensure effective communication with parents, students, and staff
Maintain compliance with Alberta Education policies, safety requirements, and independent school regulations

Community Leadership

Build strong partnerships with parents, churches, donors, and community stakeholders
Represent the schools professionally within the broader Christian education community
Help advance long-term organizational vision and growth initiatives

Qualifications

Required:

Active Alberta teaching certification (or eligibility for certification)
Leadership Certification
Minimum 5 years of successful school leadership experience
Demonstrated experience leading teams and managing school operations
Strong understanding of Alberta curriculum and educational accountability requirements
Proven ability to lead with organizational clarity and relational wisdom

Preferred:

Master’s degree in Education or currently working toward completion of a Master’s degree
Experience in Christian education leadership
Experience in special education and/or inclusive learning environments
Familiarity with DSEPS programming requirements

Leadership Competencies

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the competencies outlined in Alberta’s Leadership Quality Standard, including:

Fostering effective relationships
Leading a learning community
Providing instructional leadership
Managing school operations and resources
Supporting inclusive education
Building leadership capacity in others
Understanding and responding to societal context

The Ideal Candidate Is…

Deeply committed to Christian education as a ministry calling
A strong communicator who can inspire confidence among families and staff
Organized and capable of leading complex school operations
Experienced in both strategic thinking and day-to-day execution
Passionate about discipleship, student growth, and educational innovation

Application Requirements

Interested candidates should submit:

Cover letter
Resume/CV
Statement of Christian faith/testimony
Philosophy of Christian education
Three professional references
One pastoral reference
Please send applications to:
Gregg McNeil, Executive  Principal

gregg.mcneil@koinonia.ca

Application Deadline: Open until filled

Join Us

This is an opportunity to lead two unique schools with meaningful impact. If you are passionate about shaping students who will Transform, Renew, and Serve, we would love to hear from you.