Elementary Academic Director

Elementary Academic Director Brooklyn, New York

In-Person Work Required

This is an exempt position and is not eligible for overtime.

WHO WE ARE

Explore Schools is a network of public charter schools providing 2,000 students in Brooklyn with the outstanding education they deserve. Our goal is to provide students with curriculum and instruction that is both standards-aligned and culturally responsive. Our approach is designed to provide the conditions that nurture students as critical thinkers and natural problem-solvers.  As an organization we are committed to engaging in work that disrupts and roots out systems and structures that perpetuate white supremacy. We intentionally seek to build and maintain a diverse and talented team that reflects the backgrounds and experiences of our students and creates an inclusive environment for all employees.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

We believe that all children can learn when immersed in a rich environment full of high expectations, rigorous academics, and caring, committed adults. We believe equity and excellence are not mutually exclusive—we can meet the needs of all students in our schools, while actively engaging parents and driving toward excellent academic results. We believe it is both our privilege and responsibility to help close the opportunity gap in the Brooklyn community.

WHO YOU ARE
Explore Schools seeks an experienced educational leader who demonstrates a drive toward excellence and is passionate about serving all students. The ideal candidate is an outstanding leader and manager of adults, who believes and invests in developing talent, while possessing a strong understanding of academic rigor and effective instruction. Successful Academic Directors creatively and stubbornly implement the right solutions to ensure that all of our students have the tools they need to attend a college preparatory high school and beyond. Additionally, you possess the following qualities:

• Dedicated to working in communities that have historically been underserved and under-resourced
• Committed to thoughtfully engaging in identity work necessary to take a culturally responsive approach to pedagogy and relationship-building with students and colleagues
• Exceptional strategic planning, prioritization, and execution skills
• Outstanding manager of people with a passion for developing team members and an ability to leverage the school’s existing leadership team

• Strong culture and relationship-builder who actively engages and builds partnerships with families, staff, and students
• Outstanding content knowledge throughout grades K-5
• Demonstrated achievement of exceptional results with students and successful management of adults
• 4+ years of teaching experience, with experience coaching and/or managing adults required
• Highly organized and detail-oriented

• Bachelor’s degree required
• A master’s degree and administrative certification preferred

WHAT YOU’LL DO
Elementary Academic Directors are directly responsible for the coaching, growth, and evaluation of the teachers they supervise. Working closely and reporting to the school Principal, you will be expected to manage the following daily:

• Collaborate with the leadership team to identify academic priorities, set measurable goals to achieve priorities and monitor progress towards goals

• Make decisions that are strategic, intentional, and grounded in data

• Thoughtfully engage and invest families and community stakeholders in Explore’s work

• Ensure that teacher’s professional development goals are being met through direct, targeted coaching

• Partner with the instructional leadership team to continually assess professional development needs and execute on a differentiated approach to meet those needs

• Collaborate with the instructional leadership to continually assess the development of instructional team members and execute on a differentiated approach to meet their needs

• Oversee the systems, practices, and cycles of assessment and the constant use of date to drive student performance

• Implement school-wide procedures and policies to ensure student safety

• Work closely with the Explore Schools network office to recruit and select new staff members

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Explore Schools staff members receive a competitive salary, paid time off including network shutdown days, considerable matching of retirement contributions, and more.

• The salary range for incoming Academic Directors is $100,000 to $125,000. This is our good faith range at the time of posting.
• Incoming salaries are determined based on experience and internal equity.
• Because we value staff members staying in their roles over time, we do not currently cap salary ranges and this is the range for incoming staff members only.

• This is base salary and does not include additional compensation opportunities, such as signing bonuses, additional time worked pay, stipends, leadership opportunities, and additional pay for specialized certifications and advanced degrees.

Additionally, you can expect:

• A comprehensive benefits plan, covering up to 95% of the cost for employees and their families. Other benefits include dental and vision plans, employer paid disability and life insurance, parental leave benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time and paid holidays, professional development, continuing education scholarships, referral bonuses, employee assistance program (EAP), childcare assistance, a 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching, and more!
• Flexible and reflective leadership: dedicated to staff development, team cohesion, and shared responsibility for decision-making, development, and team-wide priorities

• Driven and passionate colleagues who contribute to a professional and collaborative work environment
• Opportunities to sit on various committees and participate in initiatives central to key organizational decisions and strategic planning
• Our school-based staff also receive:

• Professional development: weekly PD, year-round retreats and trainings, and ongoing coaching by professionals
• Continued education support: staff are eligible to receive scholarship funds towards qualifying certification costs or higher education tuition

• Our ESI Staff also have the opportunity to seek out and attend professional development, have a supervisor committed to their growth and development, and are eligible to apply to our staff scholarship program.

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Explore Schools is a network of 8 charter schools located in Canarsie, Crown Heights, and Flatbush communities of Brooklyn, NY. Our schools are currently operating fully in-person. For this position:

• In-person work is required

• This is an exempt position and is not eligible for overtime.
• The standard workweek is 45 hours, though at times you may work more.
• This role requires that you be able to stand for at least 5 hours a day, take multiple trips up and down the stairs in a day, and be able to move quickly in an emergency.
• This role also requires that you be able to lift up to 15 pounds.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
As discussed in our Who We Are section, Explore Schools is an equal opportunity employer. It is important to us that all staff members have a place of employment that is free of discrimination of all kinds and where staff can bring their authentic selves to work. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran, or military status. If any employee or applicant believes they have been discriminated against, they should let Rachel Modica-Russell or Tiffany Williams know immediately.