Dean of Curriculum & Instruction

Uncommon Schools • Rochester, NY

2d • $60,000 - $74,700

About The Position

The Dean of Curriculum & Instruction (DCI) is a school leader who supports teachers and instructional leaders in delivering rigorous, engaging academic experiences that drive student achievement. DCIs work closely with the Principal and other DCIs across Uncommon Schools to develop teachers, strengthen instruction, and advance the school’s mission.

The role leads data-driven instruction and assessment cycles; observes and coaches teachers; plans professional development and team meetings; supports instructional leaders; oversees school-wide academic systems and culture; and contributes to regional and network curriculum and instructional initiatives. The DCI may also support broader school or regional needs, including teaching a course, coordinating staff coverage, or providing support to another school.

Requirements

• Passionate commitment to the mission of Uncommon Schools.
• Ability to plan and lead effective teacher professional development.
• Strong teaching skills.
• Proficiency in lesson plan development.
• Strong people-management skills, including navigating difficult conversations and holding staff, students, and families accountable supportively.
• Systems-based thinking and experience creating academic and teacher-development systems.
• Ability to manage and prioritize time and tasks strategically to meet school needs, with a systems-thinking perspective.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, work flexibly and autonomously, and take direction as needed.
• Familiarity and success with, or commitment to, Uncommon’s instructional leadership tenets, such as the See It-Name It-Do It framework and Leverage Leadership principles.
• At least 3 years of teaching experience with evidence of outstanding student growth and achievement.
• Demonstrated instructional coaching capabilities that contribute to teacher growth and development.
• Strong content knowledge across multiple grade spans or content areas.
• Bachelor’s degree.

Responsibilities

• Analyze student data and work samples to lead effective analysis meetings.
• Develop and implement action plans, materials, and systems in response to data, including facilitating Interim Assessment scoring and norming and supporting department-level analysis.
• Monitor grade-level or content-area progress against assessment-cycle benchmarks.
• Facilitate assessment cycles, including quality assurance of assessment materials, teacher and student preparation, and scheduling with the Director of Operations.
• Support regional and network data analysis and response systems.
• Conduct daily observations, integrate feedback into planning and data meetings, and support teachers and instructional leaders in implementing development action steps.
• Provide real-time feedback to teachers during instruction.
• Inform, write, or lead teachers’ mid-year reviews.
• Plan and deliver professional development within the school, region, or network on Uncommon’s curricular systems and key pedagogical issues.
• Plan and execute grade-level or content-area team meetings based on school-wide instructional trends.
• Collaborate with the Principal to coach instructional leaders, identify high-leverage goals, and lead Instructional Leader Team Meetings.
• Oversee school-specific data-response curriculum, such as reteach lessons and responses to Power Practice Quizzes.
• Partner with the Principal to curate staff-facing professional development using school-wide action steps or walkthrough data.
• Support mid-year teacher onboarding as needed.
• Support planning or leadership of whole-school moments and initiatives.
• Lead and manage school-wide academic systems, such as office hours and grade books, and provide feedback on teachers’ lesson internalization.
• Model the school’s culture and rigor techniques.
• Plan and facilitate regional or network professional development during the summer or school year.
• Support regional or network instructional initiatives related to student achievement, including data analysis, response systems, or curriculum development.
• Demonstrate commitment to improving students’ lives and learning in pursuit of Uncommon’s mission.
• Support school or regional needs, which may include directly teaching a course, helping strategically plan staff coverage, or providing direct support to another school.
• Participate in inspections, school walkthroughs, working groups, and CAT quarterly walkthroughs.
• Collaborate with the Home Office, RSI, Principal, Director of Operations, Dean of Students, Special Education Coordinator, School Social Worker, and other staff to support students’ academic and socio-emotional development.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off, including sick time, paid holidays, and approximately 10 weeks of paid breaks during spring, winter, and summer.
• Extensive training and development.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Pre-tax flexible spending accounts, dependent care flexible spending accounts, and health savings accounts.
• Financial planning.
• 403(b) retirement savings program with employer match.
• Paid leave of absence options, including parental, medical, and disability leave.
• Mental health and counseling support and wellness benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager