JOB TITLE: Senior Director of Academics
DEPARTMENT: Academics
REPORTS TO: Executive Director of Academics
CLASSIFICATION: Exempt
Who are we?
CEN is a mission—and values-driven organization committed to being Child-Centered, Caring, Transformative, Accountable, and Anti-Racist.
The mission of CEN is to build a system of remarkable neighborhood schools in traditionally under-resourced communities using a trauma-informed, whole child approach to education — ensuring college, career, and life success for all children.
At CEN, we believe that creating and sustaining excellent and equitable schools for all children is the most critical issue today and that high-quality education is the only way to change the life trajectory and outcomes for kids. We believe that, regardless of their zip code, our kids deserve remarkable schools.
CEN team members are steadfast in our vision to dismantle systemic educational inequities. We are committed to culturally responsive education, including systems that promote anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Why Join CEN?
At CEN, we provide a wealth of professional learning, as well as opportunities for professional growth and advancement. We are committed to the health and wellness of our employees. Moreover, CEN offers one of the most comprehensive compensation and benefits packages in the city of Detroit. CEN employees earn competitive salaries and a robust benefits package, including:
- United Healthcare PPO including vision and dental with employer covering 80%
- 401K with match options
- Free Short- and Long-Term Disability
- Free Basic Life Insurance
- Free Basic AD&D
- Supplemental insurance plans available
- Wellness benefits, including up to $250 annual reimbursement
- Free State Continuing Education Clock Hours
- Paid time off, varying by role
- Performance Bonuses
- Annual Retention Bonus that grows year over year
- Free membership in employee discount program.
Who are we looking for?
We are seeking tenacious staff members who operate with empathy and will settle for nothing less than academic and life success for all students. Professionals with a passion for urban education and the city of Detroit align best with our needs and goals. Our top performers are focused on building positive relationships with students, families, and colleagues, and are driven by data and student outcomes.
What are the major job responsibilities?
The Senior Director of Academics is responsible for executing the CEN network-wide academic strategy through supervision and coaching of the Network Academic Team. In collaboration with the Principal and Executive Director of Academics, the Senior Director of Academics will continually develop staff that is focused on ending educational inequity through an unrelenting focus on improving student achievement. In this role, the Senior Director of Academics leads the Network in creating a college-going culture, focused on urgency, high-quality instruction, celebrating student successes, and partnering with parents to open doors of opportunity for their children. A successful Senior Director of Academics upholds the mission, goals, and objectives of the CEN Public Schools.
Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Lead coaching cycles with teachers on limited coaching caseload, using CEN’s Coaching Model
- Support Network Academic Team by coaching Instructional Coaches, Instructional Coordinators, and Director of Academics with a regular cadence, utilizing CEN common tools
- Supervise the Network Academic Team with a regular cadence of meetings
- Ensure CEN’s Core Curriculum, MTSS Model, and Guidelines for Special Education Support are implemented with fidelity
- Maintain current working knowledge of both proficiency and growth targets for the school, grade levels, and teachers, as well as progress to date
- Maintain frequent communication with the CEN Executive Director of Academics regarding teachers’ alignment to the CEN Core Curriculum, pacing, formative assessment results, teacher content coaching needs, etc.
- Develop and execute school-site professional development in collaboration with the Academic Team.
- Supervise the Network Academic Team to uphold expectations outlined by CEN’s Grading Policies and Guidelines.
- Attend professional development assigned by the manager
- Manage Testing Coordinators at each building to maintain the testing environment and testing requirements.
- Other duties as assigned by the manager
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in education or equivalent
- School Administrative Certificate required
- A highly-qualified certification
- Minimum of five consecutive years of successful teaching as evidenced by student data
- Commitment to the belief that all students can learn and succeed
- Demonstrated ability to dramatically improve student outcomes as evidenced by student data
- Demonstrated success in supporting and coaching new and experienced teachers
- Experience working in diverse, low-income communities; sensitivity to and awareness of the needs of culturally diverse urban adolescents and families
- Outstanding organizational skills and strong attention to detail; excellent written and oral communication skills
- Ability to maintain focus on key priorities, despite competing tasks, deadlines, and rising needs
- Experience and success in supporting families
- Possess the desire and willingness to develop own skill set
- Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain constructive group relationships
- Certified teachers who have progressed through the CEN Master Teacher Program (Preferred)
- Certified teachers who have experience with Real-Time-Teacher-Coaching (RTTC) model (Preferred)
- Will successfully pass a criminal background check
- We ask our team to believe in, deliver on, and embody the following values: Be Child-Centered, Be Caring, Be Transformative, Be Accountable, and Be Anti-Racist
The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
CEN does not and shall not discriminate based on race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.