Director of Curriculum and Instruction

The Opportunity Amani Public Charter School, a public charter school that will serve students in grades 5-8 in Mount Vernon, NY, seeks to hire an outstanding leader with operational skills as the founding Director of Curriculum and Instruction. This opportunity is unique because of: Location: Amani Public Charter School is the first public charter in Mount Vernon, NY. Entrepreneurship: As a community-based independent school, Amani Public Charter School is afforded significant freedom with regards to pedagogy. To that end, the Director of Curriculum and Instruction will have frequent and meaningful opportunities to make significant decisions regarding these aspects of the school. Growth: The school will begin small, allowing for all of the requisite systems and procedures to be put in place and refined before we expand. The School
The mission of the Amani Public Charter School (APCS or the School) is to provide 100% of Mount Vernon students who attend the school from the 5th through 8th grade with the academic and critical thinking skills necessary to succeed in competitive high school programs, college and the career of their choice. APCS graduates are academically accomplished, intellectually curious, and civically engaged young people who tackle challenges diligently and creatively.

The Amani Public Charter School will offer: A rich curriculum that includes strong literacy development, with an emphasis on foundational skills for college level work. A longer school day and a longer school year. A range of support services to address students' academic and social development needs. A carefully selected faculty invested in academic achievement and the intellectual growth of children. A safe and nurturing school culture. Code of conduct; uniform dress code. Position Summary The Director of Curriculum and Instruction (DCI) is entrusted with advancing the mission of the school through the management and development of a rigorous, standards-aligned curriculum; participation in the evaluation, support, and development of teaching staff; and collaboration with the Executive Director on areas of instructional, assessment, and/or curricular need at the school. The DCI will be held accountable by the Executive Director for teacher performance and growth, student achievement, and quality of curriculum. The DCI responsibilities include acting as
educational leader and consensus builder, supervisor and evaluator of staff, the developer and evaluator of programs for all students and the coordinator of curriculum and services. The DCI must ensure compliance with the schools approved charter, board policies, appropriate governmental statutes, NYSED regulations, and the No Child Left Behind Act..

Qualifications and Experience

Director of Curriculum and Instruction

Passionate and completely dedicated to Amani Public Charter Schools mission and a steadfast belief that all students deserve preparation for the college of their choice. Unwavering belief that all students can achieve at the highest academic levels. Results-driven manager with experience in, and commitment to, educational excellence. Detail and solutions oriented. Professional demeanor, strong work-ethic, detail-driven work style with excellent organizational skills. Ability to prioritize, multi-task, delegate and lead by example. Ambition and desire to grow as a leader. An entrepreneurial spirit, who embraces the opportunity for creativity and hard work inherent in a start-up. Willingness to be a team player
Responsibilities Professional Development Oversee all instructional staff professional development and program development. Set professional development goals as well as learning & training opportunities for staff, encourage ongoing personal & professional growth Monitor progress of staff members toward mutually identified individual professional development goals Work with Executive Director to identify and provide professional development related to legal and instructional mandates Evaluation Evaluate teachers and other staff - visit classrooms regularly to observe students and instructional staff at work to observe teacher practices and student responses Facilitate and monitor all initial and ongoing assessments so that students work can be tracked and charted Curriculum Development Select and assess vendors as needed to provide books, materials and services Identify for presentation and choice by teachers books for programs, and classroom libraries Order above mentioned books as well other teaching materials as needed and appropriate Monitor access of students to materials they need to succeed in school Meets regularly with teacher leaders to coordinate school wide curriculum continuity, coherence and development. Oversee authorizer compliance in areas of responsibility Keep abreast of current research, trends, and best practices in education Assessment Select and explain use of non-mandated assessment tools for teachers to consider for use in the school Provide workshops to help teachers use assessment data to inform instructional practices and curriculum development Follow up to ensure intervention services are being provided to at-risk students. Community Outreach Plan and organize semi-annual parent-teacher meetings Participate in school-wide long and short-term planning to address student needs and constantly look for to increase efficacy and rigor in the educational experience. Supervision Supervise teachers and other curriculum area staff Supervise special needs staff Monitor work and functioning of the academic support team through the Literacy specialist, provide any guidance, information and/or training it may need

Director of Curriculum and Instruction

Work closely with literacy specialist to set goals / objectives for student achievement in literacy Identify professional development goals and objectives for teachers in literacy to improve instructional quality Reviews teacher lesson plans on a regular basis and provide feedback Participate in staff recruitment, selection, retention and dismissal decisions Observe and evaluate half the staff semi-annually Teach daily, as needed Technology Participate in the assessment of technology needs and creation of a technology plan Other Perform additional duties as determined by the Executive Director Qualifications Masters degree Additional credentials or exemplary experience Successful experience in leadership and or project management Experienced in curriculum planning and development Minimum three years teaching similar student population Demonstrated positive community relationships

Compensation: Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience. Start Date: Now Applicants should send a resume and cover letter to dstern@amanicharter.org Please include the title of the position you are applying for (DCI) in the subject line, and indicate where you heard about this opportunity in the body of the email. Amani Public Charter School is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, national origin, citizenship or disability.