Position: Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Organization: The Ewing Marion Kauffman School
Location: Kansas City, MO
The Ewing Marion Kauffman School, a charter public school opening in fall 2011, seeks a Director of Curriculum and Instruction. He or she is responsible for the success of the academic program at the Kauffman School. This person will be charged with co-founding a high-performing urban charter school unrelentingly focused on student achievement. The mission of the Kauffman School is to prepare students to excel academically, graduate college, and apply their unique talents in the world to create economically independent and personally fulfilling lives.
Areas of responsibility include curriculum development and refinement, scope and sequence, student assessment, performance data processing and integration, professional development, and management and evaluation of instructional staff. The Director of Curriculum and Instruction will report to the Executive Director. This is a full-time, exempt position located in Kansas City, MO.
Responsibilities:
Educational Leadership
- Provide instructional leadership to advance proven teaching and learning practices
- Hire, manage and evaluate teaching staff in partnership with the Executive Director
- Observe classes and teachers frequently
- Set standards for student achievement and monitor progress of all students
- Facilitate data-driven discussions and planning regarding student performance
- Design professional development plans and programming for individual teachers to address deficits, build on strengths, and become more effective and successful team members
- Work with parents and the community to achieve maximum involvement in support of student performance
- Coordinate all academically oriented clubs and extracurricular activities
- Develop curriculum based on established framework, state standards, and philosophy of the Kauffman School during start-up year
- Understand effective strategies from other successful school models and incorporate as appropriate
- Coordinate and oversee the three phases of academic assessment at the Kauffman School (annual growth, proficiency over multiple years, and quarterly comprehensive assessments)
- Manage assessment data and lead instructional staff in developing strategies to address student performance shortfalls
- Recalibrate curriculum based on performance, changing standards, and emerging circumstances at the Kauffman School
- Develop transparent reporting system to families and stakeholders regarding both individual student and overall school performance
- Create mechanisms for regular parent communications with teaching staff
- In conjunction with Executive Director, develop “school report card” format and distribution system for dissemination of school information to media, general public, and key stakeholders
- In conjunction with Executive Director, coordinate staff communications related to academic programming, assessment, and outcomes
- Coordinate and oversee progress reports, report cards, and parent/teacher conference scheduling
- Previous school leadership experience working in charter school sector, or comparable public/private school
- Deep experience in charter school operations (start-up, development, renewal, academics)
- Commitment to quality education for all students
- Demonstrated success in public education reform efforts and nonprofit organizational leadership
- Master’s Degree preferred
- Leadership that reflects shared values and beliefs embedded in Kauffman School philosophy
- A results-oriented approach with a track record of achieving goals
- A strategic approach and highly motivated personality; capable of seeing projects through from beginning to end
- Solid analytical, communication, and negotiation skills
- Maturity, humility, professionalism, confidence, and a strong work ethic
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience, and includes excellent benefits.
To Apply:
The Kauffman School has engaged Koya Consulting to help in this hiring process. Please send a compelling cover letter and resume to Molly Brennan at executivesearch@koyaconsulting.com.
The Kauffman School is an equal opportunity employer and diverse candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
About The Ewing Marion Kauffman School:
Inspired by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and set to open in fall 2011, the Kauffman School prepares students to be intellectually curious, economically independent, and confidently self-directed. The Kauffman School will enroll seventy-five fifth graders in the first year and grow one grade per year initially to serve grades five through twelve. In addition, the school will explore future development of a K-4 component. At full capacity, the Kauffman School will graduate about one hundred high school seniors each year. The target population is urban students residing in low-income households, with a focus on college prep and life prep curriculum. The Kauffman Foundation will provide funding for start-up and early operations, as well as help identify and acquire a facility for the school. The school’s opening in fall 2011 is subject to approval of the application by a sponsor and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. For more information about the Kauffman Foundation, please visit http://www.kauffman.org.