School Network Staff Regional Teacher Development Manager
Job Description
Position Title: Regional Teacher Development Manager ( 2022-23SY)
F.T.E: 1.0
Location: Metro-Detroit, MI (Harper Woods, Detroit, Redford & Flat Rock)
Reports To: Managing Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment – Literacy and Executive Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Start Date: Immediately
The Mission of Distinctive Schools, an educational practice leader committed to social justice and the elevation of access and achievement in historically marginalized communities, is to support each child in becoming an engaged and curious learner, a confident self-advocate, and a creative problem-solver by setting high expectations and nurturing a positive culture that honors diversity, collaboration, and optimism.
Position Description:
The Regional Teacher Development Manager is an experienced educational leader who oversees the development of the lead instructional coaches and works in partnership with the campus leader to monitor the implementation of the Distinctive Schools coaching model at all campuses in the assigned region. This leader possesses a deep understanding of research-based instructional coaching methods and understands the tenets of adult learning. They have a proven ability to plan and facilitate impactful professional development that leads to lasting change in practice. This person possesses excellent interpersonal and executive functioning skills and is a leader who has the foresight and ability to capitalize on opportunities for growth and improvement within the organization. The Regional Teacher Development Manager collaborates with stakeholders at all levels of the organization to foster continued improvement and to accomplish the goals of the organization’s strategic plan. This person will:
Culture:
- Build and foster a culture of belonging and positive climate
- Honor stakeholder perspective as key to the decision-making process
- Cultivate a strengths-based and, equity-focused mindset
- Celebrate individual and collective growth towards goals
- Promote a safe and supportive working environment with an equity-conscious mindset.
- Establish professional rapport with and maintain visibility with stakeholders
- Maintain a student-centered perspective in decision making
- Contribute to the equity work of the campuses, region, and network and engage in culturally responsive decision making
- Develop positive and professional relationships
Teacher Talent and Development/Teacher Onboarding:
- Support the planning and facilitation of annual New Teacher Institute to introduce new hires to the organization’s mission, vision and expectations
- Contribute to the development and implementation of a new teacher onboarding program ts to ensure that first year teachers receive the appropriate support at the appropriate time and in order to increase long-term satisfaction and retention
- Partner with regional and network leaders to ensure new teacher onboarding reflects regional needs and priorities
- Collaborate with school director in interviewing and hiring of lead instructional coaches
- Facilitate the Lead Instructional Coach hiring and onboarding in partnership with network team
- Develop the leadership and coaching capacity of Lead Instructional Coaches.
- Partner with members of the regional and network team to improve the design and quality of best practices shared in New Teacher Institute.
- Gather feedback about effective new teacher onboarding, develop and invest stakeholders in a shared organizational point of view about what leads to successful new teacher experiences.
- Support Lead Instructional Coaches in understanding the current experience of first-year teachers
Professional Learning, Leader Development & Coaching:
- Plan and facilitate ongoing regional professional development to strengthen the capacity of lead instructional coaches
- Meet with the principal or assistant principal regularly to review lead instructional coach documentation, monitor implementation of the DS coaching model, and solve for barriers to progress
- Host monthly team check-ins with lead instructional coaches to reflect on leadership development and their role in supporting professional growth in others
- Join meetings between the assistant principal and lead instructional coach to engage in conversations designed to support the growth of the individual
- Partner with lead instructional coaches to conduct DS Observation Structures with a specific focus on observations relate to an instructional goal
- Participate in inter-rater observations using established tools and protocols to support lead instructional coaches in a deep understanding of the DS Teaching framework.
- Partner with the school leader and lead instructional coach to set personalized professional learning goals
- Observe lead instructional coach and coachee meetings providing feedback on the coaching
- Provide timely and actionable feedback to lead instructional coaches in partnership with the school leader
- Lead ongoing collaborative and solution-focused opportunities for Assistant Principals, and Lead Instructional Coaches focused on strengthening implementation of the coaching model
- Design professional learning experiences to develop the capacity of instructional coaches and campus assistant principal, implement the DS Coaching Model, professional learning experiences in response to data
- Remain current in the research of instructional coaching and teacher development in order to inform the continued evolution of the model
- Use Whetstone to document all coaching moves
Leadership:
- Support the Distinctive Schools’ mission, vision, and strategic plan
- Design and implement strategic plan, action plans and monitor ongoing progress towards key initiatives
- Participate in ongoing professional learning opportunities in order to better support network growth and ensure that instructional coaching practices reflect current research
- Contribute to grant applications and other professional writing
- Participate in regularly scheduled network and campus dashboards
- Perform the basic responsibilities of an Academic Team member
Academic Team Member:
- Partner with Academic Team members to lead key initiatives related to the role of the lead instructional coach and teacher onboarding and development
- Uphold the Distinctive Schools’ mission, vision, values, DS Model
- Contribute to and implement the DS Model, strategic plan, campus growth plans, and network and regional priorities
- Provide strategic vision, support, and leadership in new school start-up or restart opportunities in the region
- Design, implement, monitor progress, and provide updates on key instructional coaching decisions with a specific focus on new teacher development
- Partner with the Regional and cross-regional Academic Team members to ensure parity in philosophy, pedagogy, systems, structures, and protocols among all content areas
- Contribute to and implement the DS Model, strategic plan, campus growth plans, and network and regional priorities
- Participate in professional learning opportunities in order to better support network growth and ensure that instructional coaching and teaching practices reflect current research
- Establish tasks and timelines and develop strategies to support projects through from beginning to end
- Maintain a current and detailed understanding of all state laws, curriculum, and onboarding requirements
- Plan, design, and implement regional and network initiatives and professional learning, onboarding, and design teams in partnership with regional and network academic teams
- Contribute to grant applications and other professional writing
- Perform the responsibilities of an Academic Team member and other duties as assigned
- Meet regularly with Managing Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment – Literacy and Executive Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment for feedback, coaching, and partnership
Team Collaboration;
- Conduct DS Observation Structures and Formal/Informal Observations in partnership with campus leaders and Academic Team members to monitor curriculum implementation, instruction, and learning
- Partners with the Director of Math and Science to ensure parity in philosophy, pedagogy, systems, structures, and protocols
- Partners with special education and bilingual/ESL teams in all initiatives
- Work collaboratively with the Academic Team to continuously raise standards of student achievement, and growth for all students through assessment, targeted and specialized instruction and tiered intervention
- Collaborate with Campus Directors and Director of Instructional Coaching to identify and provide professional development and resources needed to build the capacity of instructional coaches and teachers
- Design, plan, and implement regional and network collaboration opportunities to support student growth and achievement
- Support the design and implementation of Campus Growth Plans
Requirements:
Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s preferred
Qualifications:
- Valid Illinois Professional Educators License or Michigan Teacher Certification
- 5 years’ teaching experience
- 3 years’ school leadership experience
- Knowledgeable of the ways in which adults learn
Technology Requirements:
- Proficient with cloud based software solutions (such as GoogleSuite)
- Ability to learn digital tools and programs as needed for the position
- Travel: Ability to travel to regional campuses
Physical Demands:
- Ability to work 40+ hours per week between the hours of 8am-7pm
- Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 20% sitting, 50% walking, and 30% standing.
Why Join the Distinctive Schools Team:
- We are a collaborative team of professionals supporting each other to instill a love of learning in our students
- We empower students, families and staff to contribute to our mission in a meaningful way
- We make an impact in our communities by serving some of the most historically marginalized in the city
- We offer a great benefits package for full time employees (Medical; Dental; Vision; PTO; 403b match, discounted gym membership, tuition reimbursement options, referral bonus)
Distinctive Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other personal characteristic protected by applicable law.
