Director of Education

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JOB OVERVIEW:

This position oversees the operational and instructional practices of the educational programs of all PHMC schools. The dual nature of this role supervises building-level administrators in all PHMC Schools with a high level of accountability for policies and procedures and maximizes student achievement outcomes in tandem with curriculum development, instructional assessment, and professional development activities across all school programs. This position interfaces with all members of the Fairwold Academy community, including instructional staff, vocational staff, parents, students, and external regulatory agencies in education. The Director of Education is a 12-month position and reports to the Executive Director.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assume responsibility for the daily operations efficiency of assigned campuses.
• Assist in program marketing and the selection of students through the admissions process to ensure the census is on target.
• Assist the Executive Director in the compilation, management, and implementation of staff development and induction program plans to ensure state compliance in all schools.
• Assist the Executive Director in the development of an articulated pre-vocational program and the establishment of industry-certification options.
• Oversee the curriculum materials review process, evaluate appropriateness for programs, and make recommendations for change and/or modification. Organize and oversee the inventory of all curriculum materials. Plan budget for curriculum and teaching materials and resources.
• Assist the building principals in the development of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) protocols for academic instruction and coordinate resources to support students and staff.
• Work with principals, directors, and supervisors in the educational programs to ensure instruction aligns with a high level of competency. Coordinate the development of instructional programs, strategies, and assessment of instructional skills of teaching and academic support specialists.
• Ensure procedural compliance with standardized, benchmark, and other academic testing.
• Assist staff with the use of student achievement data to inform the planning and implementation of effective programs and instruction. Identifies and monitors all academic metrics used to track student achievement.
• Collaborate with all school leaders in determining staff needs for instructional technology. Plan for instructional skill evaluation.
• Supervise all assigned certified and instructional staff.
• Address and rectify parental concerns as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Assume responsibility for the efficiency of the school buildings' daily operations. Supervise building-level leaders and ensure leaders adhere to operational policies and procedures, rectify inefficiencies, and solve problems.
• Participate in the review of the admissions process to ensure census targets are on track.
• Develop the compilation, implementation, and assessment of Professional Education Plans every three years and Induction program plans every six years to ensure state compliance in all schools.
• Collaborate with school administrators in the need, assessment, and professional development of staff members’ instructional technology and technology skills. Include needs assessment and activities in the Professional Education Plan.
• Ensure professional development activities align with the Professional Education Plan. Ensure all documentation of professional development activities (sign-in sheets, presentation content, and session evaluation are documented and filed for audit).
• Ensure professional staff receive 180 professional development hours (ACT 48 of 1999) every four to five years and 20 paraeducator hours annually (Chapter 14, 2009), as prescribed in the Professional Education Plan, and ensure hours are documented, uploaded, and awarded to professional and paraprofessional staff.
• Manage and facilitate the PDE-approved induction program for all new instructional staff, including explaining requirements for permanent certification, scheduling professional learning activities, training and assigning mentor teachers, and evaluating the induction program and process. Ensure evidence of completing Induction is maintained in the teacher’s professional file.
• Ensure pre-vocational teachers and instructors adhere to a curriculum scope and sequence and learning activities that support students in earning appropriate and achievable industry-certification options.
• Manage the vocational education program’s annual outcomes metrics.
• Oversee the curriculum materials review process, evaluate the appropriateness of curriculum resources, and make recommendations for change and/or modification.
  • Math and literacy: Every two years
  • Science, social studies, and special areas: Alternate every other year
• Ensure staff are trained on curriculum materials and implement purchased materials with fidelity to a minimum of 85% accuracy. Adjust for retraining, coaching, or improvement. Manage and report annual outcomes metrics.
• Chair all academic content meetings; supervise and evaluate outcomes of all academic specialists and curriculum coordinators.
• Oversee campus-wide content-based curriculum activities, academic fairs, senior projects, and other related activities.
• Ensure the ESY curriculum meets the needs of students and teachers.
• Coordinate external professional development for all curriculum programs as needed; evaluate quality of delivery and impact on outcomes.
• Organize and oversee the inventory of all curriculum materials. Plan annual budget for consumable curriculum and teaching materials, subscriptions, and resources.
• Oversee the supervision and evaluation of all professional staff members. Ensure fidelity measures of the Danielson evaluation tool for all instructional staff and monitor all instructional staff performance trends for professional development, coaching plans, and performance improvement. Ensure principals are trained in the framework and can coach teachers for improvement.
• Schedule and manage procedural compliance of standardized and benchmark testing. Schedule staff training and certification requirements for state testing. Follow all regulatory requirements, timelines, and procedures.
• Facilitate regular team meetings (weekly, biweekly, monthly) to review student academic data, provide coaching and feedback, and support instructional strategies and resources to decrease academic gaps. Compile an annual report of student academic progress, including comparisons from benchmark tests, standardized tests, and other academic metrics.
• Oversee the management of student rosters and ensure full compliance with graduation requirements for individual students by district, ensuring the schools offer required academic courses.
• Model and enforce Positive Behavioral Intervention & Supports as assigned to establish a culture of teaching and learning.
• Manage the process to identify students for credit recovery, dual enrollment, and other academic programs.
• Maintain proper credentials for assignment and remain educationally informed in all related areas including PDE regulations and state/national standards.
• Mentor and redirect staff as needed.
• Develop an annual budget for curriculum and staff development; monitor the budget to ensure department budgets stay within guidelines.
• Perform related duties, special assignments, and projects as assigned by the Executive Director of Educational Services.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Routine school environment
• May be involved in de-escalating student behaviors using mandatory approved techniques.
• Potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens
• May transport students in agency in accordance with PA Department of Education and Department of Transportation requirements and school and PHMC procedures
• Ability to climb stairs and walk on uneven terrain, play yards, and school grounds
• Ability to move rapidly, forward, backward, and laterally
• Physical capacity to lift, move, and position a student up to age 21 who may weigh 150 pounds or more with the assistance of other properly trained personnel
• Ability to independently utilize routine office equipment
• Ability to independently travel outside of school hours as determined by administration
• The physical demands and work environment described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

SKILLS:

• Demonstrated ability to evaluate instructional staff
• Demonstrated ability to assess, develop, implement, and evaluate professional development plans addressing specific needs, school-wide and for individuals
• Demonstrated ability to assess, develop, implement, and evaluate curriculum needs and to identify links between curriculum standards and special education
• Demonstrated excellence in organizational ability, oral and written expression, and group presentation skills. Knowledge of correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary
• Demonstrated skills with computers, data systems, and electronic reports
• Demonstrated ability to understand and adhere to policies and procedures
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Excellent leadership and team-building skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to work effectively with professionals from a wide range of organizations and disciplines and to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with all constituents (administrators, colleagues, students, parents, and others)
• Broad knowledge of curriculum accommodations and Multi-Tiered System of Support for academic interventions
• Broad knowledge of PA Core Standards and curriculum resources
• Broad knowledge of PA graduation requirements and secondary programming
• Broad knowledge of high school vocational programs

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in education, special education, or a related field
• Current and valid Pennsylvania Administrative K-12 (principal) certification
• Evidence of successful completion of a two-year PDE-mandated PILS program for Instructional Leadership or Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction Certification
• 5 years of experience in a school-based leadership position, with at least 2 of those years in a principal role or related position
• 5 years of experience in the field of special education in a leadership role
• Experience working with a special needs population in a school setting and an understanding of autism, developmental delays, neurological impairments, and emotional disorders
• Experience working with adolescents needing behavioral or mental health services
• Experience evaluating teachers and professional staff

SALARY GRADE: 25

PHMC is an Equal Opportunity and E-Verify Employer.