Operations / Administration Program Director and Education Leadership Coach
Job Description
Overview of Teach Plus
Teach Plus is dedicated to the mission of empowering excellent, experienced, and diverse teachers to take leadership over key policy and practice issues that advance equity, opportunity, and student success. Since 2009, Teach Plus has developed thousands of teacher leaders across the country to exercise their leadership in shaping education policy and improving teaching and learning, to create an education system driven by access and excellence for all. teachplus.org
Program Description
In August 2022, Teach Plus is launching the Illinois Affinity Group Network Fellowship, which seeks to cultivate authentic, inclusive, intersectional spaces shaped by and for educators of color. These affirming and supportive spaces, rooted in an asset-based understanding of diversity, will support educators in navigating and improving their school environments and will be connected to a larger network to build alliances and address systemic issues. To learn more about this initiative, see here.
Position Description
The Program Director and Education Leadership Coach will coach 10-14 Affinity Group Facilitators and provide program leadership to the new Illinois Affinity Group Network Fellowship. Reporting to the Illinois Senior Executive Director, the Program Director and Education Leadership Coach will provide organizational and thought leadership for the initiative, represent the initiative with external audiences, help lead the steering committee, and assist in managing the project’s logistics.
The Program Director and Education Leadership Coach will build solidarity, and community, identify opportunities for local responsiveness and build the capacity of the Affinity Group Facilitators to help their groups identify and propose changes that would improve retention for educators of color. Affinity Group Facilitators will host Affinity Group meetings driven by a collaborative process with participants to focus on better supporting and retaining educators of color. Local needs will determine the content of specific Affinity Group sessions within a framework established by Teach Plus and our partners.
Position Responsibilities
Program Leadership
- Represent Teach Plus in conversations with the Illinois State Board of Education, senior school district officials, stakeholders, and external partners about the Affinity Group Network
- Lead or co-lead the Illinois Affinity Group Steering Committee.
- In collaboration with the Teach Plus Illinois Senior Executive Director, liaise with the Illinois State Board of Education and Regional Office of Education 51 to ensure we are complying with the requirements of the grant agreement, including
- Creating quarterly reports
- Developing a best practices guide
- When seeing common trends across Affinity Groups, develop recommendations that could be implemented statewide.
- Supervise, ensure, document, and report on the program’s high and consistent quality delivery and fidelity.
- Collaborate with the National Director of Program Design and Innovation and the National Director of School Leadership to communicate critical support, outcomes, metrics, and resource needs to the National Program Team.
Coach and Support Fellows as Affinity Group Facilitators
- Foster High Functioning, High Impact Teacher-Leader led Affinity Groups by:
- developing strong relationships and professional collaboration with adult learners;
- ensuring that Affinity Groups are rooted in racial equity, culturally responsive leadership, intersectionality, and identity work;
- observing and strategically contributing to Affinity Group meetings, when possible;
- supporting Teacher Leaders to ensure recommendations and actions are based on evidence and achieve the desired impact;
- Work with Affinity Group Facilitators to thoughtfully use an implementation budget for each Affinity Group, and track the receipts used by the Affinity Group.
- Support Fellows’ ongoing growth and development as Affinity Group Facilitators by providing timely and growth-oriented feedback and support through coaching conversations, professional learning sessions, and collaboration opportunities.
- Help to develop and refine the curriculum for the Affinity Group Program sessions per the program’s objectives, budget, and evaluation feedback.
Support the Development of the Affinity Group Network Fellowship Program
- Within the local context of the Affinity Group, work with Affinity Group Facilitators to identify challenges to teacher retention in the local context and to propose solutions, which may include:
- Elevating the views and experiences of teachers of color in the local context through surveys, focus groups, or discussions;
- Developing written findings and recommendations;
- Empowering the Affinity Group members to advocate for their recommendations OR liaising with appropriate contacts to advocate if AG members determine it is unsafe or unwise to do so.
- Works with the Teach Plus national staff and the National Program Team to develop systems that allow teacher leadership to be implemented more efficiently and effectively
- Communicate critical support, outcomes, metrics, and resource needs.
Qualifications
To be successful in this role, ideal candidates should have:
- 6+ years in the education field, including coaching experience, with preference given to candidates who have both a teaching background and experience coaching teachers and school leaders in diverse school environments
- Strong organizational and communications skills required; experience managing complex projects or initiatives preferred
- Experience with policy, advocacy, or community organizing, preferred
- Preference is given to leaders who have led transformational work in education
- Strong background in racial equity work, including areas such as culturally responsive leadership, intersectionality, and identity; experience facilitating affinity groups, a plus
- Experience in leadership development and facilitation of inquiry with teachers or school leaders
- Experience creating and building professional development materials and training
Commitment to Diversity
To better serve the teachers and students at the core of our mission, Teach Plus is committed to maximizing the diversity of our organization. We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage individuals of all ethnic and racial backgrounds and gender identities to apply to our positions.
Location and Start Date
This position is 80% virtual, with a 20% obligation for travel to join Affinity Group meetings and in-person convenings (3 per year). Although this position will be conducted virtually (primarily from a home office), applicants must live in Illinois.
The target start date for this position is June 1, 2022, but it is flexible based on the candidate’s availability.
Compensation and Benefits
The compensation range for this position is between $85,000 and $95,000. The salary offered will be determined based on the selected candidate’s specific qualifications, years of relevant experience, specialized knowledge, and on internal equity. Teach Plus provides a benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 3% matching 401k plan, disability, life insurance, and Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and childcare expenses. Teach Plus offers generous time-off benefits, including 15 vacation days, three personal days, five sick days, 11 holidays, and winter break. Additionally, Teach Plus offers a 4-week paid sabbatical for every five years of service.
How to Apply
To apply, please complete an online application found here. Teach Plus will receive applications until the position is filled.
Application link: https://teachplus.tfaforms.net/328162
