Berean Baptist Academy is a Pre-K–12 Christian school and ministry of Berean Baptist Church located in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Now in its 51st year, BBA exists to develop disciples of Christ who strive for academic excellence. The school enrolls approximately 650 students — including roughly 280 in the elementary division — and is known throughout the region for its spiritual commitment, academic rigor, and its uniquely diverse, military-connected community near Fort Bragg.
BBA is seeking an experienced and relational Elementary Principal to lead its elementary program (K through 4th grade). Reporting directly to Superintendent Dr. Jack Farmer, the Elementary Principal will serve as the primary instructional, operational, and spiritual leader of the elementary division — managing the daily life of the building, developing and evaluating faculty, and cultivating a healthy, Christ-centered school culture where students and teachers flourish.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
Berean Baptist Academy operates as a ministry of Berean Baptist Church on a shared campus in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The elementary division serves approximately 280 students in Pre-K through 4th grade with a faculty and staff of approximately 35 employees. The school is led by Superintendent Dr. Jack Farmer, who oversees the full academy and is supported by an executive team that includes division principals, a dean of students, and operational leadership — 100% of whom have served at BBA for five or more years.
BBA serves one of the most diverse student populations of any Christian school in the Southeast, reflecting the cultural richness of the Fayetteville community and its proximity to Fort Bragg, one of the largest military installations in the world. Stakeholders describe a school that "matched the community better than any school I've ever seen that wasn't a public school." Military families, local families, and international students worship and learn together at BBA, and the school has built a culture of welcome and belonging that embraces families from every major population group. The school maintains a strong community reputation and was described by stakeholders as "the best Christian school in the community" with "the highest Biblical standards.
WHAT THEY DO
A Christ-Centered Spiritual Environment
Berean Baptist Academy exists to develop disciples of Christ who strive for academic excellence. In recent years, BBA has made a deliberate transition from a traditional discipleship model to a Great Commission model — a school that actively welcomes and evangelizes families who may not yet profess faith while simultaneously discipling believing students toward spiritual maturity. This shift has energized the school's outreach and broadened its community impact, while also creating a healthy organizational conversation about how to hold evangelism and discipleship in productive tension. Biblical integration is woven into every subject, every classroom interaction, and every school event. Students take Bible as a core subject, participate in weekly chapel services and quarterly convocations, and are immersed in a culture where the gospel is communicated clearly and consistently. Faculty are expected to model authentic Christian faith in their teaching and relationships, with a strong emphasis on worldview integration across the curriculum.
Academic Pursuit and College Preparation
BBA offers a rigorous academic program designed to prepare students for success in college and beyond. The curriculum emphasizes mastery of core subjects — reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies — with an increasing focus on critical thinking, higher-order reasoning, and standards alignment. The elementary program serves as the academic foundation for the entire school, and BBA's leadership has identified curriculum refinement and instructional consistency as strategic priorities. Teachers are encouraged to pursue professional development and collaborative planning to strengthen their practice.
A Diverse, Military-Connected Community
BBA's location near Fort Bragg gives the school a uniquely diverse and transient student population. Military families from across the nation and around the world enroll their children at BBA, creating a community that reflects virtually every major ethnic and cultural group. The school has developed a culture of welcome for military families, understanding the unique pressures of deployment, relocation, and family separation. For many families, BBA becomes their home church and school family during their assignment in Fayetteville, and the bonds formed during those years endure long after families move to their next duty station.
Athletics, Fine Arts, and Extracurricular Life
BBA fields competitive athletic teams across a range of sports and offers fine arts programs in music, visual arts, and drama from the earliest grades. Elementary students participate in music instruction, art classes, physical education, and school productions that celebrate creativity as an expression of worship and stewardship. Extracurricular offerings provide students with opportunities to discover and develop their God-given talents in a supportive environment.
Elementary Program Focus
The elementary division is the heart of BBA's academic pipeline. The program combines structured literacy and mathematics instruction with Biblical integration, character education, and age-appropriate enrichment. Elementary teachers at BBA are known for their genuine love for students and their commitment to creating nurturing classroom environments. The faculty includes experienced educators with deep institutional knowledge alongside newer teachers bringing fresh energy. In a recent stakeholder survey, 76% of respondents scored a 9 or 10 on their likelihood to recommend BBA, producing a referral Net Promoter Score of +72 — reflecting a community that believes deeply in the school's mission and is ready to rally behind the right leader.
Faculty Care and Empowerment
Under Dr. Farmer's leadership, BBA has implemented meaningful policies to support faculty well-being, including a communication blackout between 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM and a culture that respects teachers' personal and family time. The school's faculty flourishing scores on the national Flourishing School Instrument survey have risen from below the national benchmark to well above it. The Superintendent has also built a leadership culture where principals are trusted, empowered, and given genuine decision-making authority through a formalized framework that grants autonomy on operational and instructional matters. The new Elementary Principal will not be micromanaged, but will be expected to lead with confidence and supported as a full partner in the school's leadership.
OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES
OPPORTUNITIES
Shape the Culture from the Ground Up. The BBA elementary program is at a pivotal inflection point. After a period of leadership transition, the community is hungry for a stabilizing leader who will define and build a healthy, unified culture. This is a rare opportunity for a principal to establish the systems, norms, communication structures, and relational tone that will define the elementary experience for years to come. The faculty is ready for consistent leadership, and the community has expressed overwhelming willingness to support the right person. Few principalships offer this combination of institutional backing, community readiness, and genuine space for a leader to build.
Lead with Empowerment and Autonomy. BBA's Superintendent has deliberately created a leadership structure where principals are trusted and equipped with real authority. The Elementary Principal will operate with clear decision-making power and the backing of an experienced executive team committed to collaboration. For an aspiring principal who has been waiting for a role where they can truly lead rather than simply manage, this is that opportunity. Dr. Farmer views the principal role as both a stewardship responsibility and a professional growth pathway, and BBA is committed to investing in the development and success of its leaders.
Serve a Uniquely Diverse and Mission-Committed Community. BBA's military-connected, culturally diverse student body is unlike most other Christian schools in the country. The next principal will have the privilege of serving families from every background and from around the world, in a community where the gospel is central and diversity is celebrated.
CHALLENGES
Stabilizing After Leadership Transition. The elementary program has experienced leadership turnover in recent years, creating gaps in operational consistency and institutional memory. The new principal will need to establish trust quickly, demonstrate commitment, and provide the steady, reliable presence the community has been missing.
Building Instructional Consistency Across Grade Levels. Stakeholders have identified inconsistency in curriculum delivery and instructional expectations between classrooms and grade levels as an area for growth. The new principal will need to establish collaborative planning structures, implement regular observation and feedback cycles, and drive toward coherence in academic standards across the elementary program. This work will require both curriculum expertise and relational skill.
Strengthening Communication and Relational Health. The elementary community has experienced communication breakdowns that have affected faculty cohesion and trust. The new principal will need to build transparent, consistent communication systems and model the direct, fair, relational leadership that the community is seeking. This is real work that requires emotional intelligence, courage, and a commitment to doing hard things with grace.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Elementary Principal
Reports to: Superintendent, Dr. Jack Farmer
Supervises: Elementary faculty and staff
Position Location: Fayetteville, North Carolina (on-site)
Classification: Full-time, 12-month position
JOB PURPOSE
The Elementary Principal serves as the chief instructional, operational, and pastoral leader of BBA's elementary division (K through 4th grade). This leader is responsible for the daily management of the elementary program, the professional development and evaluation of elementary faculty, the spiritual formation and academic achievement of elementary students, and the cultivation of a healthy, Christ-centered school culture.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Instructional Leadership
Observe teachers regularly through both formal and informal classroom visits; provide timely, meaningful, and growth-oriented feedback
Ensure curriculum consistency and standards alignment across all grade levels and classrooms
Lead collaborative planning structures that give grade-level teams dedicated time to coordinate instruction, assessment, and student support
Drive continuous improvement in literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking instruction
Support teachers in differentiating instruction for diverse learners, including students with learning differences
Evaluate and refine academic programs to ensure mastery-based learning and higher-order thinking
Operational Management
Manage the daily operations of the elementary building with competence, consistency, and visible presence
Establish and maintain clear, fair, and consistent systems for student discipline, attendance, communication, and scheduling
Be physically present and accessible throughout the school day — in hallways, classrooms, at drop-off and dismissal, and during school events
Cultural and Relational Leadership
Build a culture of trust, transparency, and mutual respect among faculty, staff, students, and families
Address interpersonal conflicts directly, fairly, and promptly
Establish consistent, equitable treatment of all faculty, students, and families
Foster healthy communication flows and support faculty morale through genuine care and professional investment
Spiritual Leadership
Lead and participate in chapel services, devotions, and spiritual formation activities
Model authentic Christian faith in all professional and personal interactions
Ensure Biblical integration remains central to instruction and school culture
Provide pastoral care and encouragement to students, families, and faculty
Communication and Community Engagement
Communicate proactively and transparently with families regarding academics, student progress, and school events
Serve as the primary point of contact for elementary families and the public face of the elementary program
Collaborate with the Superintendent and executive team on school-wide initiatives and strategic planning
Faculty Development and Accountability
Recruit, mentor, and retain high-quality elementary educators aligned with BBA's mission
Conduct regular performance evaluations with clear expectations and individualized growth plans
Provide intensive support for new teachers through coaching, observation, and mentoring
Address underperformance directly and constructively with appropriate documentation
QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
Education and Experience
Master's degree in Education, Educational Leadership, or related field preferred; Bachelor's degree required
Minimum of 5 years of elementary classroom teaching experience required
Administrative experience (assistant principal, curriculum coordinator, or equivalent) required
Experience in Christian school education and public school candidates with a clear calling to Christian education both considered
Character
A mature, growing believer in Jesus Christ with an authentic, Christ-centered testimony
Demonstrated alignment with BBA's statement of faith and the mission of Christian education
High emotional intelligence with the ability to navigate complex relational dynamics with grace, directness, and fairness
Personal integrity, humility, and the courage to lead with conviction
Competence
Deep knowledge of elementary curriculum, instruction, and child development
Proven ability to observe instruction and provide meaningful, actionable feedback
Strong organizational and operational management skills
Excellent written and verbal communication abilities
Facility with educational technology and school information systems
Chemistry with Culture
Comfortable working within a church-school ministry model
Sensitive to the unique needs of military-connected families
Willing to build relationships with long-tenured faculty while bringing fresh perspective
Energized by the opportunity to build and stabilize rather than simply maintain
Theologically compatible with a Baptist tradition that welcomes believers from a range of evangelical backgrounds
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Salary: Competitive and commensurate with experience
Benefits: Health insurance, retirement plan, and additional benefits per BBA's compensation package
Tuition: Faculty tuition discount for dependent children enrolled at BBA
Professional Development: Investment in ongoing leader growth through conferences, training, and mentoring
Relocation: [If applicable, describe any relocation assistance]
Travel: Minimal; primarily local with occasional conference attendance
ABOUT FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA
Fayetteville is a city of approximately 210,000 people located in the Sandhills region of south-central North Carolina. Known as "America's Hometown" for its deep connection to the United States military, Fayetteville is home to Fort Bragg — one of the largest military installations in the world and headquarters of the XVIII Airborne Corps, the 82nd Airborne Division, and U.S. Army Special Operations Command. The military presence shapes every dimension of life in Fayetteville, from its cultural diversity and patriotic spirit to its economic vitality and community character.
Fayetteville offers a cost of living significantly below the national average, making it an attractive destination for families seeking affordable housing and a comfortable standard of living. According to Zillow, the average current price of a 3-bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home in the area is $260–$320,000.
The city features a growing downtown district with restaurants, shops, and cultural venues, and is home to the Airborne & Special Operations Museum, the Cape Fear Botanical Garden, and the Fascinate-U Children's Museum. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy the Cape Fear River Trail, Carvers Creek State Park, and numerous parks and recreation facilities. Fayetteville is approximately one hour south of Raleigh, two hours from the North Carolina coast, and three hours from the Blue Ridge Mountains, providing easy access to the full range of North Carolina's natural beauty and metropolitan amenities. The area is served by Fayetteville State University, Methodist University, and Campbell University, and the regional economy is anchored by the military but increasingly diversified across healthcare, education, logistics, and manufacturing.
NEXT STEPS
To learn more about Berean Baptist Academy, visit bbafnc.org. To express interest or to learn more about this opportunity, qualified and interested candidates are invited to contact:
Daniel Tubbs
Search Consultant
Email :: daniel@missionleadership.org
Phone :: 757-452-1001
More: All inquiries and applications will be handled with strict confidentiality.
If you are not personally interested but know a gifted elementary leader who might be an ideal fit for this role, we would welcome your referral. The right leader for BBA may be in your network — please help us find them.