Network Director of Science

Overview

Ascend seeks a dynamic Network Director of Science who will work closely with our Senior Managing Director of School Design and the Managing Directors of Schools to establish a strong vision and set of outcomes in our Science program. This role sits on our Schools Team, which ensures that we provide students with a high-quality education that unlocks a life of boundless choice. We do this by creating the conditions for excellence across our schools. As the leader of our Science program, the Network Director of Science will own our vision for Science instruction in K-12, manage the implementation of that vision, and ensure our leaders are equipped with the skills and knowledge to achieve that vision.

Why extraordinary professionals work at Ascend

Ascend is the largest Brooklyn-based public charter school serving nearly 6,000 K-12 students in 17 schools. We exist to serve every student – to help them embody their inherent excellence by providing rich, joyful learning experiences that unlock a life of boundless choice.

Access to education is a social justice issue. As educators, we center justice and live out our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism (DEIA) by ensuring that our students have the skills, tools, and confidence they need to thrive today and in the future. We are proud to have a workforce that mirrors the diversity seen in our students. Working at Ascend provides a community focused on developing an environment of support and belonging. Educators collaborate closely and encourage each other to achieve great outcomes.

Our schools honor, nurture, and challenge the whole child. Ascend fosters critical thinking skills and a love of learning through an inquiry-based learning approach, Responsive Classroom model, and anti-racist education. We are deeply committed to advancing educational equity for all of our students. Students at Ascend benefit from a rich and rigorous liberal arts curriculum that nurtures natural curiosity about the world and guides them to think critically and independently.

For more information on Ascend Public Charter Schools’ model, approach, and core values, please visit our website.

Responsibilities

Program Vision

• Create, refine, and plan a pathway to achieve our vision for Science instruction in grades K-12.
• Invest our broader community in our shared approach to science instruction, including our curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, and data analysis and response.
• Ensure alignment with best in class research and practices across the industry.
• Ensure our schools meet and/or exceed their goals for all Science assessments.
  
  
  

Implementation Management

• Research, select, pilot, and implement best in class Science curriculum that aligns with our vision for science.
• Create, refine, and implement our network-wide strategy to ensure we implement our science program in alignment with our vision and beliefs.
• Develop, implement, and refine our professional development for both leaders and teachers aligned to our vision for science and curriculum implementation.
• Continuously provide feedback to our schools and network on the quality and implementation of science at our campuses, and ensure an urgency in moving to vision.
  
  
  

Team Management

• Recruit, manage, and develop Directors of science for any academy levels not managed directly by the Network Director of Science.
• In partnership with the SMD-School Design and other Network Directors, build and implement our strategy for management and development of the teaching and learning team.
• Ensure that all Directors of Science achieve their KPIs and OKRs aligned with our goals for school success.
  
  
  

Academy Ownership:

• In addition to the responsibilities of managing the Science program, the ND-S will hold the responsibilities of a Director of Science for one of our three academy models: Lower School, Middle School, or High School.
  
  
  

Staff and Reporting Relationships

The Network Director of Science reports to the Senior Managing Director of School Design. The Network Director of Science will directly manage other members of the Schools team responsible for the implementation of Science curriculum and vision. The Network Director of Science will work closely with the other NDs on the Teaching and Learning Team to oversee our curricular and assessment program holistically.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, with an advanced degree strongly preferred
• Four or more years teaching experience with exceptional results in Science instruction
• Two or more years of experience developing teachers and delivering outstanding professional development with experience developing leaders strongly preferred
• Experience on the Ascend Teaching and Learning Team strongly preferred
  
  
  

Skills and Traits

• Deep understanding of the Common Core and New York’s Common Core-aligned state assessments, data-driven instruction (DDI), and the ability to execute DDI at scale
• Extensive knowledge of Science pedagogies and programs and effective practice, culturally responsive and anti-racist Science curriculum and instruction
• Superb organizational, project management, self-management skills, and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated ability to support, train, and coach Science educators;
• Passion and commitment to urban education and our ultimate goal of closing the opportunity gap
• Demonstrated ability to develop leaders to achieve outstanding results
• Insistence on academic excellence and rigor
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
• A strong desire for continuous learning and improvement in one’s own practice
• Alignment with the educational philosophy and core beliefs of Ascend Learning
  
  
  

Compensation

Initial salary offers for this position range from $140,000-$150,000. Salaries are determined using an equitable compensation scale that accounts for years of experience and levels of attained education.

Diversity at Ascend

Ascend is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community, both through our hiring practices and our focus on creating a culture and environment where diverse perspectives, ideas, and identities are valued and integrated into our way of working and educating students. Ascend staff represent a wide diversity of racial, socio-economic, gender, religious, and national identities—opening a window to the entire Ascend community on the richness of humanity. We welcome all applicants who share our mission and vision to join us in our deeply consequential work.