Director of Training & Development (STEM)

About Ascend

Ascend is Brooklyn’s premier K–12 public charter network, committed to graduating high-achieving students who have access to boundless choice in their futures—not only through college acceptance, but through meaningful preparation for career readiness and thriving adult lives.

Across our schools, we pair rigorous academics with strong systems, supportive adult culture, and a deep belief in students’ brilliance and potential. Our work is grounded in the understanding that preparing students for long-term success requires excellence in instruction, intentional culture-building, and disciplined execution at every level of the organization.

At Ascend, adults are held to high standards because our students deserve nothing less. How we teach, lead, collaborate, and make decisions every day directly shapes the opportunities our students will have tomorrow.

Join us in shaping learning environments where curiosity is nurtured, excellence is the norm, and every student is prepared for a lifetime of boundless choice.

About the Role

Ascend Public Charter Schools seeks a Director of Training & Development for STEM to lead instructional quality and educator development across STEM classrooms. Reporting to the Senior Director of K–12 STEM Training & Development, this leader is responsible for ensuring that foundational STEM instruction is rigorous, coherent, and aligned to Ascend’s vertically sequenced academic model.

Ascend’s K–4 STEM program builds the knowledge, number sense, problem-solving skills, and intellectual habits that serve as the foundation for Middle School STEM coursework and beyond. This role ensures that elementary classrooms reflect high instructional expectations, strong academic habits, and instructional decision-making in support of learning aligned to curriculum intent.

The Director drives measurable improvement in STEM outcomes through aligned coaching, professional learning, and implementation fidelity.

Key Responsibilities

Elementary STEM Instructional Leadership

Lead the implementation of K–4 STEM instructional priorities across all schools.

Ensure strong execution of foundational Math and Science instruction, including counting jar, number sense, mathematical strategy development, and problem-solving.

Translate curriculum architecture into clear, actionable classroom practices.

Maintain alignment between daily instruction and long-term vertical outcomes.

Coaching & Professional Learning

Design and facilitate professional learning for K–4 STEM teachers and instructional leaders.

Establish expectations for coaching cycles aligned to curriculum benchmarks.

Conduct classroom observations and provide targeted feedback to strengthen instructional quality.

Support school-based instructional leaders in developing strong instructional coaching skills.

Student Achievement & Implementation Fidelity

Monitor K–4 STEM data and identify instructional trends across schools.

Lead targeted improvement plans to address performance gaps.

Ensure instructional fidelity to curriculum design while maintaining high intellectual rigor.

Support consistent implementation of assessment cycles and progress monitoring.

Vertical Alignment

Collaborate with Middle and High School STEM leaders to ensure strong transitions from Grade 4 to Grade 5 while accounting for High School preparedness.

Maintain alignment between foundational numeracy development and long-term Regents/AP trajectory.

Contribute to K–12 STEM academic planning and refinement efforts.

Qualifications

Required Experience

• 6–10 years of professional experience in K–12 education.
• At least 3 years of instructional leadership, coaching, or professional development experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in elementary STEM instruction (Math preferred).
• Proven record of improving STEM outcomes.
• Experience coaching teachers and leading adult learning.

Preferred Experience

• Experience in a high-performing charter network or centralized curriculum environment.
• Experience supporting external assessment, Regents-level or AP-level mathematics instruction.
• Experience working within vertically aligned K–12 math systems.
• Advanced degree in Mathematics, Education, Curriculum & Instruction, or related field preferred.

Leadership Profile

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Deep understanding of early literacy development.
• Strong coaching and adult learning skills.
• Ability to translate curriculum expectations into high-quality instruction.
• High standards for rigor, structure, and classroom culture.
• Commitment to equitable access to strong foundational literacy instruction.

Staff and reporting relationships

The Director of Training & Development (STEM) reports directly to the Senior Director of STEM Training & Development.

Compensation

The salary for this position begins at $95,000. Salaries are determined using an equitable compensation scale that accounts for years of experience and levels of attained education.

Location & Work Arrangement

• Based in our Brooklyn, NY office
• Hybrid work schedule requiring in-office presence at least three days per week

In-person work expectations include network office time, stakeholder meetings, school visits, special events, and other role-specific responsibilities as determined by management.

This is a full-time, exempt position that offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching
• Generous paid time off and additional employee benefits