Dean of Curriculum & Instruction

Organization Overview 
Excel Academy is a network of 5 schools in Massachusetts and Rhode Island that prepares students in grades 5-12 to succeed in high school and college and engage productively in their communities. The majority of our 1,700 students identify as Latinx or Hispanic and will be the first in their families to graduate from college. Families choose Excel because our students consistently outperform their peers in growth and achievement and are 5x more likely to graduate from college. 

At Excel, we believe that every student—regardless of race, zip code, or economic status—deserves access to a free, high quality holistic education. During their middle school journey with us, students grow at a pace faster than most peers in their state. This is possible through a combination of high expectations, rigorous instruction, and individualized support. At our nationally ranked high school, students achieve at the highest level and are poised for success in their chosen college or career path. 

About our Team 

Everyday, our team members choose to be positive, drive their own growth, uplift one another, and hold the highest possible beliefs for what students can achieve. 

About the Role

The Dean of Curriculum and Instruction (DCI) will drive the curricular and instructional efficacy of the school. This role is comparable to an Assistant Principal role at a district school. The DCI will be responsible for the management of instructional staff by providing regular feedback to teachers on their effectiveness in meeting the needs of Excel’s instructional program and supporting them to meet their and our goals. They will support the management of Excel’s instructional program by designing and delivering professional development to push the strength and impact of the instructional program. 

Your Impact

Drive Excellent Teaching Practices

• Drive excellent teaching for all learners in Excel classrooms; 
• Observe classes regularly and give written and verbal feedback to teachers. Provide feedback on teachers’ classroom procedures, instruction, and curriculum; 
• Ensure frequent points of contact with all direct reports. Develop structures to ensure presence in all classrooms weekly at a minimum. Meet with all direct reports bi-weekly at a minimum, sending agendas in advance and supporting teachers to develop agendas to maximize the utility of meetings; 
• Target support toward individual teacher needs; 
• Ensure that Excel classes are engaging, challenging, and accessible to all learners. Ensure that students master basic skills and higher-level abstract material and are continually cognitively engaged. Ensure that teachers provide meaningful accommodations to students with individual needs; 
• Drive excellent curriculum development; 
• Ensure that Excel Academy curriculum is aligned with RI Curriculum Frameworks and is rigorous enough to ensure fulfillment of school mission; 
• Work with the Network Department heads and Head of School to ensure that the school’s mission and philosophy are reflected in instructional approach and curriculum; 
• Drive purposeful use of assessment data and feedback; 
• Help teachers develop and implement high quality, class and school-wide assessments and monitor and guide the type, variety and quality of student assessments; 
• Collect, analyze, share and interpret internal and external school assessments and coach teachers so that data is used strategically to improve student academic performance; and 
• Manage student standardized testing.

Ensure All Students Achieve

• In collaboration with the Head of School and Dean of Student Supports, support the planning, execution and analysis of intervention programs targeted at needs of diverse academic subgroups, whether remedial or enrichment; and
• Support the Dean of Student Supports and Head of School in monitoring the special education and ELL inclusion program, working with the Learning Specialist, ELL Specialist and core academic teachers to design inclusion, monitor the effectiveness of inclusion, and provide feedback and support to create a high quality inclusion program.

Create a Positive Student Culture of Academic Achievement

• Coach teachers to create a classroom that reflects Excel’s Student Culture Vision where our community values are embedded into the curriculum in instructional classes; 
• Provide feedback to teachers on their execution of  Excel’s Student Culture Vision and behavior management systems in the classroom; 
• Guide teachers in creating opportunities for students to reflect on and demonstrate our community values within academic classes; 
• Work with the Dean of Students to enforce the code of conduct by having a strong, public presence throughout the school day; and
• Collaborate with the Head of School and Dean of Students to plan proactive culture initiatives and to respond to any class or school culture or behavior issues.

Drive the Professional Culture of Excel’s Teaching Staff

• Develop talented staff in Excel’s classrooms; 
• Lead and implement group professional development opportunities for staff to drive growth in the Instructional Program; 
• Design and implement the teacher professional development program, including teacher visits to other schools, and development of leadership and growth opportunities within the program; 
• Plan and facilitate staff meetings as needed; 
• Write quality evaluations for all direct reports;
• Support the hiring and retention of talented staff in Excel’s classrooms; 
• Support the Head of School by serving as hiring manager for direct reports (conduct phone screens, attend model lessons and debriefs, make a recommendation to the Head of School for hire); 
• Manage aspirations for all direct reports; ensure that teachers have an open line of communication with school administration about aspirations and career goals; and
• Ensure that all teachers feel that Excel provides them opportunities to be intellectually and professionally challenged.

Support the Head of School in School Leadership

With the head of school,

• Articulate a vision for Excel’s program and translate that vision into action.
• Develop and perform regular school health assessments.
• Create a dynamic and innovative staff culture; including developing and upholding staff norms, and mediating disputes as needed; 
• Support efforts for knowledge management and continual improvement; 
• On an ongoing basis, set the tone of highest expectations and urgency; and
• Oversee relevant programmatic budgets.

Serve as a productive member of the Excel Community

• Participate in generating and upholding Excel Staff Norms; 
• Act as a substitute teacher when needed; 
• Meaningfully participate in Friday meetings, school PD and Family Conferences; 
• Meaningfully participate in the network-wide community of instructional leaders; and
• Serve as a productive member of the Administrative Team.
• Do whatever it takes to ensure that the mission of the school is fulfilled.

Mission Alignment

• You share a commitment to and belief in all students and the mission of Excel Academy Charter Schools, including Excel’s values and educational model;
• You are committed to addressing racial and economic inequity in education;
• You work effectively in a team environment and have a willingness and desire to support others in doing their best work; and
• You are open to change, are willing to problem-solve, and seek feedback for your own professional growth and improvement.
  
  

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree is required; a Master’s degree is preferred;
• A minimum of five years’ teaching experience is required; experience working in a high-performing, urban public charter or district school is strongly preferred;
• Experience formally coaching and/or leading teachers required; 
• Demonstrated efficacy in raising academic achievement for historically under-served students;
• Ability to promote rigorous classroom instruction and culture