Teacher Special Education Director (SY 2018-2019)
Job Description
Harlem Village Academies
Harlem Village Academies is a community of educators working to build an urban K-12 school model based on the principles of progressive education. Located in Harlem, HVA is also the demonstration site for the Progressive Education Institute.
The Opportunity
Joining a dynamic team of educators, the Instruction & Culture Director will take our work to the next level. The ideal candidate is a master teacher with broad knowledge and deep experience in quality instruction and progressive classroom culture as well as a sense of urgency around student achievement results and a passionate commitment to quality. S/he will work closely with the principal and the network education leadership team to implement and contribute to the continual improvement of HVA’s model of progressive, accountable teaching and learning.
Responsibilities
Serve as an instructional leader for HVA Elementary responsible for excellence in:
Instructional Leadership and Teacher Development
- Aligned with HVA’s progressive vision, directly manage and support teachers and instructional coaches to produce outstanding instruction and classroom culture
- Develop teachers through professional learning with a focus on planning, modeling, and in-class coaching — and follow-up with urgency to ensure teachers are effectively implementing what they have learned (e.g., follow-up observations same or next day)
- Use student achievement data and student work to drive instructional improvement and decisions and to help teachers achieve learning goals
- Co-lead with principals the teacher performance management process including direct and clear ongoing feedback, and development
- Teach daily at least 60 minutes or more to model exemplary teaching for coaches and teachers
- Develop, supervise and support teachers in progressive classroom culture that is respectful, focused, independent and aligned with HVA’s student culture principles and practices
Instructional Management Systems
Lead and continually improve the effective implementation of school systems and structures related to:
- Curriculum implementation
- Professional learning
- Informal daily assessment including learning targets as well as regular interim assessments
- Authentic presentations of learning based on criteria for quality student work
- State test preparation
- Communicating student progress to parents and ensuring parents are informed and involved
- Effective data-driven tutoring to ensure students keep pace daily (rather than catching up)
School Leadership
- Collaborate with and supervise the Special Education Coordinator to ensure all students are receiving appropriate services and making appropriate progress toward learning goals
- Collaborate with and supervise the reading remediation specialist to ensure all students are receiving reading remediation and achieving 1.5-2 years growth each year
- Collaborate with the Operations Director and teachers to ensure the learning environment is beautiful, clean, and designed to support student independence
- Support the leadership team to ensure effective implementation of logistics necessary for running a well-functioning school, such as scheduling, test administration, and other details
Candidate Qualifications
Instructional Background
- Demonstrated ability in quality instruction particularly in literacy and literacy remediation
- A track record of strong quantitative student achievement results
- Exceptional teaching abilities – engaging, sophisticated, effective, and progressive
- Experience teaching in an urban setting
- Seven years of teaching experience preferred
- Well-versed in the most important aspects of progressive pedagogy and/or experience in a K-8 suburban, selective, or private progressive school
- Experience analyzing qualitative and quantitative data to inform instructional decisions
Leadership Experience
- Experience leading teachers and/or managing a team to achieve ambitious goals
- Experience managing systems and programs with attention to detail
- Ability to build strong adult culture and positive relationships
- Good judgment and ability to navigate challenging situations
Skills
- Incredibly high expectations for all aspects of schools and ownership over results
- Maturity, humility, and a strong work ethic – continually seeks to learn and improve
- Agile and thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
- Ability to work autonomously, as well as to take direction
- Excellent organizational skills and acute attention to detail
