Director of Curriculum - STEM

Job Title:  Director of Curriculum - STEM

Start Date:  TBD

Location:  Harlem & Bronx, New Rochelle, NY & Bridgeport, CT

About Capital Preparatory Schools

Capital Preparatory Schools is a charter school management organization operating a network of educational communities. Our mission is to build a path where none existed. From its inception, the Capital Prep community—our scholars, parents, faculty, and staff—has committed to creating a compelling and meaningful educational experience. The Capital Preparatory Schools has five school locations: one in the Bronx, one in Harlem, one in New Rochelle, NY, and two locations in Bridgeport, Connecticut, providing students in grades K–12 with a year-round, college-preparatory education that encourages students to become scholars and agents of change. 

Capital Preparatory Schools believes that all children, when given the right conditions and environment, will succeed and excel in their academic and social-emotional growth. This is achieved by blending elements of academic models that successfully support scholars from historically disadvantaged populations, with innovative approaches that get 100% of our graduates accepted to four-year colleges.

Focusing on the key attributes of leaders, our learner expectations are designed to develop scholars who are:

• Collaborators, by showing respect and cooperation to achieve individual and common goals,

• Problem Solvers, by using appropriate personal and team strategies to address interpersonal, intrapersonal, and group conflicts,

• Researcher/Information Processors, by looking for and listening attentively to important information and utilizing the information to make positive choices/decisions/conclusions,

• Empathetic Citizens, by acting responsibly, safely, and thoughtfully to create positive change for all members of the school, local, and global communities,

• Pillars of Knowledge, by modeling the above expectations in our words, actions, and goals.

With the support of the Capital Prep team of skilled and compassionate educators, students realize their academic abilities, advocate for social justice, and fulfill their civic responsibilities. As leaders of social justice, we expect our students to use their education to improve the lives of others.

Capital Preparatory Schools is committed to teaching and learning that promotes the success of every student by:

• Creating a safe and enjoyable educational environment that encompasses our social justice model and that ensures every graduate moves on to attend college;

• Providing individualized instruction and enrichment opportunities for students to ensure that gifted students are challenged and struggling students are supported; 

• Hiring and growing quality teachers and leaders and empowering them to use their craft to inspire students to achieve at the highest levels.

Director of Curriculum at Capital Preparatory Schools

Capital Preparatory Schools is committed to teaching and learning that promotes the success of every student by:

• Creating a safe and enjoyable educational environment that encompasses our social justice model and that ensures every graduate moves on to attend college;

• Providing individualized instruction and enrichment opportunities for students to ensure that gifted students are challenged and struggling students are supported; 

• Hiring and growing quality teachers and leaders and empowering them to use their craft to inspire students to achieve at the highest levels.

Capital Preparatory Schools seeks passionate educators who have demonstrated leadership. 

The Director of Curriculum STEM responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Working with all subject leads, or stipendable curriculum writers to ensure the creation and implementation of instructional programming for Mathematics, Science, and designated specials across the district.

• Working with building administrators in the creation and implementation of all STEM test critical paths and Minute By Minute (MBM) to ensure successful test sessions within their buildings. 

• Overseeing and providing professional development for the implementation of tiered coaching strategies for all building instructional coaches across STEM courses. 

• Preparing and providing professional development for new administrators, and others as needed to ensure the successful implementation of CPS curriculum resources to foster quality instruction and assessment within their building in coordination with the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction and the State Superintendent(s). 

• Standardizing curriculum, assessments, and lesson plans across the network.

• Informally observing each STEM illuminator at least once every two weeks.

• Identifying trends in implementation, providing coaching to novice illuminators, and issuing targeted feedback for lesson implementation.

• Serving as content area expert for the entire network. 

• Leading and supporting systems and processes for the selection, development, and curation of curricular resources in core content areas across K-12 so that all scholars have access to high quality curriculum, with particular attention to needs of our most vulnerable student populations (English learners, students with disabilities, etc.).

• Leading and facilitating learning walks with the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Chief of Schools, and organizational leaders to assess the quality of teaching & learning and improve instruction.

• Using scholar data to drive informed instructional practice and guide content area faculty to use data effectively.

• Conducting curriculum audits and gather and utilize other sources of quantitative and qualitative data in conjunction with the Data & Assessment Team to monitor progress towards improved student and staff outcomes and assess the impact of shifts to STEM curriculum and curricular resources, PD, and instructional practices on student and staff outcomes.

• Working with the Director of Professional Learning/Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum to develop on-boarding and professional learning systems and structures to support illuminators.

• Designing, facilitating, and delivering professional development for leaders and illuminators across the network on curriculum and instruction and state requirements, including yearly summer curriculum institutes for illuminators.

• Developing test preparation practices and assessments.

• Monitoring pacing in all classrooms and ensuring benchmarks are regularly administered and that actionable data is communicated to faculty and school leadership in a timely fashion.

• Drafting state test preparation guides for their teams to steer illuminators to high leverage standards, creating data-driven lessons, integrating adaptive software to enhance RTI, and providing administration with real-time feedback regarding student performance.

• Working with principals and school leadership teams to provide differentiated coaching and professional development for staff.

• Performing any and all duties as may be assigned by the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction.

Skills:

• Instructional and programmatic vision, leadership, and deep knowledge of CCSS and relevant state standards K-12 and knowledge of and commitment to culturally responsive and equity-centered practices.

• Expert at designing, assessing, and curating learner-centered curricular resources and supporting curriculum adoption implementation processes.

• Deep knowledge of adult learning theory and ability to lead teams in the development and delivery of high-quality learner-driven, relationship-based, and purposeful curriculum and instruction K-12.

• Facilitation of data-driven and equity-focused teams and processes.

• Highly flexible and comfortable with change, growth, and possibility.

• Skilled collaborator, communicator, and relationship-builder.

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. 

Experience/Training:

• Significant teaching and instructional leadership experience required (including at least 7-10 years of successful classroom teaching and instructional leadership, preferably including principal or dean experience)

• Administrative credential or certificate of eligibility, preferred; Master’s in Education or related field, preferred

• Deep knowledge of culturally responsive pedagogy

• Deep knowledge of CCSS and CT and NY standards/framework. Experience as content area teacher/coach preferred

• Deep knowledge of K-12 curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices aligned to Capital Prep instructional practices

• Charter school experience, a plus

• Capital Prep model experience, a plus

Supervision 

This position reports to the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction

Compensation: 

Salary for this position is competitive and commensurate with experience. Capital Preparatory Schools offers a comprehensive benefits package. This is a twelve-month, full-time, exempt position.  This is an in-person role.

*Weekend or evening work and travel is required. 

CPS is an equal opportunity employer.