Dean of Curriculum & Instruction (SY 23-24)

Company Description

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing, public charter schools providing an outstanding K-12 education in historically under-resourced communities. We have proudly built schools that reflect our student population, with more than 60% of our teachers and staff across our network identifying as a person of color. Uncommon currently manages 53 schools serving more than 20,000 students in five cities: Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester. We are proud that Uncommon graduates persist in and graduate from college at five times the rate of their peers nationally. We achieve this by offering strong academic, co-curricular, and social-emotional learning that prepares students for success in college and beyond.

Job Description

To build more high performing schools, we need leaders to commit themselves to the most urgent and exciting work of our time! At Uncommon Schools, our Deans of Curriculum & Instruction (DCI) are school leaders focused on supporting teachers and instructional leaders to deliver the most rigorous and joyful academic experience for our students that leads to exceptional academic gains. DCIs play a central role in the success of their school and work closely with their Principal as well as fellow DCIs across Uncommon in driving curriculum, assessment, and teacher development. DCIs' responsibilities include the following:

Data Driven Instruction

• Conduct deep analysis of data in order to lead effective analysis meetings based on daily student work samples;
• Build grade level/content area action plans and materials to address data;
• Monitor grade-level progress against assessment cycle benchmarks.

Feedback and Teacher Development

• Conduct daily observations, plan/execute 6-step feedback meetings that lead to teacher and instructional leader development, and support implementation of action steps;
• Provide real-time feedback to teachers during instruction and contribute to teachers’ mid-year reviews;
• Plan and deliver high-quality professional development that trains staff members in Uncommon’s curricular systems and key pedagogical issues;
• Plan and execute team meetings for grade-level or content-area staff.

Curriculum and Assessment

• Own organization-wide curriculum and assessment work based on content expertise such as lesson planning, assessment revisions, collaborative scoring, and/or network analysis;
• Facilitate assessment cycles including scheduling, quality assurance of assessment materials, and teacher/student preparation.

Mission-Alignment

• Demonstrate a passionate commitment to improve the minds and lives of students in and out of school;
• Build professional relationships with teachers that support their development;
• Collaborate with the Home Office, Assistant Superintendent, Principal, Dean of Students, Special Education Coordinator, School Social Worker, and other staff to maximize the ability of Uncommon Schools to support students’ academic and socio-emotional development.

Qualifications

• Passionate commitment to the mission of Uncommon Schools and investment in our vision for being an anti-racist organization;
• Experience and interest in writing curriculum;
• Strong teaching skills;
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Strong communication and negotiating skills, and ability to work well in a team;
• Ability to build, monitor and maintain systems that improve organizational efficiency;
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment; flexible, able to work autonomously as well as take direction as needed.
• Required experience:
  • 3+ years of teaching experience, preferably in urban schools and/or communities;
  • Experience coaching teachers;
  • Evidence of outstanding student growth and achievement;
  • Strong content knowledge, across multiple gradespans or content areas;
  • Bachelor’s Degree.

Additional Information

Our people are what makes us Uncommon.  We believe our compensation philosophy and benefits should reflect our values—equity, transparency, and clarity—to enhance our ability to attract and retain talent and reward their expertise.  Our staff receive best-in-class training, coaching, and support to develop and operate mission-driven schools that provide a high-quality education to our students and families.

Compensation for this position: The starting compensation for this role based in Rochester is between $65,120 to $77,288. The starting pay will depend on various factors that may include but are not limited to professional experience, education, training, certifications, tenure with Uncommon Schools, and work l