Director of Academics

About the Role

ACCEL Schools is seeking a highly motivated Director of Academics at Cleveland Arts & Social Sciences Academy in Cleveland, Ohio. This role is dedicated to creating a rigorous and nurturing environment that prioritizes student engagement and achievement for all students. Cleveland Arts & Social Sciences Academy (CASSA) serves the Buckeye-Shaker community and surrounding neighborhoods, offering a hands-on college prep curriculum that emphasizes the arts and humanities. CASSA provides small group learning, educational technology, and a wide range of specialty classes within a close-knit EK-8 school featuring a positive school culture.

As part of this opportunity, you will assume ownership and responsibility for developing and supporting the school’s instructional staff by:

• Guiding teachers in the effective use of instructional and support materials for full implementation of all areas of the curriculum.
• Adapting materials and methods across the curriculum to the needs of individual students using multiple differentiation strategies, including instructional grouping.
• Reviewing lesson plans weekly.
• Performing frequent teacher observations and debriefs.
• Modeling effective instructional practices, including delivery of instruction using effective teaching strategies.
• Providing effective feedback, professional development, and coaching for teachers in mastering instructional practices.
• Offering continuous and targeted professional development that supports the school curriculum and instruction to ensure continuous student achievement.
• Using multiple sources of data collection to analyze barriers to student achievement and to access, identify, and apply instructional improvements.
• Monitoring the use of student achievement data from multiple sources (standardized tests, ILS data, curriculum-based assessments, classroom assessments, etc.) to inform instruction.
• Providing support for intervention programs based on students’ needs and monitoring program effectiveness using data.
• Working cooperatively with parents to generate confidence in the teacher and instructional program.
• Coordinating special projects, such as peer mentoring, service learning, and community involvement.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in education; Master’s preferred.
• Active professional teacher certification.
• Minimum of five years’ experience as a successful teacher.
• Two years’ experience as an Instructional Coach, Teacher Leader, or other related position strongly preferred.
• Track record of building positive working relationships with multiple stakeholders, including staff members, students, parents, Board members, and authorizers.
• Demonstrated results in increasing student achievement on relevant state test measures.
• Knowledge of State Standards and Common Core Standards.
• Experience using multiple sources of data collection (standardized tests, portfolios, observations, conferences, and grades) to assess student performance and plan instruction.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills that reflect professionalism and tact at all times.
• Computer literacy and proficiency.
• Attention to detail.
• Successful completion of federal and state criminal background checks.
• Experience in an urban and/or school turnaround setting is a plus.
• Ability to work well under pressure and effectively prioritize and execute tasks to meet deadlines consistently.
• Understanding of and ability to manage confidential information.

Benefits

Life Benefits – Time & Peace of Mind

• Paid time off.
• Retirement contributions.
• Optional Basic Life and AD&D insurance.
• Voluntary life insurance (employee, spouse, child).
• Discounted childcare at Early Learning Academies locations.

Health Benefits – Stay Well & Thrive

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Voluntary short-term disability insurance.
• Voluntary long-term disability insurance.

Career Benefits – Keep Growing

• Career advancement opportunities throughout Accel Schools and our strong network of 4,000+ instructors and education professionals.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $50,000 - $60,000. Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include geography/market, skills, education, experience, and other qualifications of the successful candidate.