Dean of Curriculum & Instruction

Rochester Prep Charter School • Rochester, NY

2d

About The Position

Uncommon Schools is seeking a Dean of Curriculum & Instruction (DCI), a school leader who supports teachers and instructional leaders in delivering rigorous, joyful academic experiences that drive student achievement. DCIs work closely with their Principal and fellow DCIs across the network to improve instruction, develop staff, and support the school’s academic mission.

The DCI analyzes student and assessment data, develops and implements responses to identified needs, and monitors progress against assessment benchmarks. The role includes observing and coaching teachers, providing feedback, supporting instructional leaders, leading professional development and team meetings, and overseeing school-wide academic systems. DCIs also contribute to regional and network instructional initiatives and help advance the school’s culture and mission.

The role calls for a passionate commitment to Uncommon Schools’ mission, strong teaching and coaching abilities, effective people management, and the ability to build academic and teacher-development systems. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree and at least three years of teaching experience with evidence of strong student growth and achievement.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 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.
• Passionate commitment to the mission of Uncommon Schools.
• Ability to plan and lead effective teacher professional development.
• Strong teaching skills and proficiency in lesson plan development.
• Strong people-management skills, including navigating difficult conversations and holding staff, scholars, and families accountable supportively.
• Systems-based thinking and experience creating academic and teacher-development systems.
• Ability to strategically manage and prioritize time and tasks to meet school needs, with a systems-thinking lens.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, work flexibly and autonomously, and take direction as needed.
• Familiarity and success with—or commitment to—implementing Uncommon’s instructional leadership tenets, such as the See It-Name It-Do It framework and Leverage Leadership principles.

Responsibilities

• Analyze daily student work and assessment data, and lead effective data-analysis meetings.
• Develop and implement action plans, materials, and systems to address data findings, including facilitating interim assessment scoring and norming and supporting instructional leaders’ 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, provide real-time instructional feedback, and use feedback in planning and data meetings to support teacher and instructional leader development.
• Inform, write, and/or lead teachers’ mid-year reviews.
• Plan and deliver professional development within the school, region, or network on Uncommon’s curricular systems and pedagogical issues.
• Plan and execute grade-level or content-area team meetings based on school-wide instructional trends.
• Collaborate with the Principal to identify high-leverage goals for instructional leaders, coach them, 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 lead whole-school moments and initiatives.
• Lead and manage school-wide academic systems, such as office hours, grade books, and feedback on teachers’ lesson internalization.
• Model the school’s culture and rigor techniques.
• Plan and facilitate network or regional professional development during the summer or school year.
• Support network or regional instructional initiatives related to student achievement, data analysis, response systems, or curriculum development.
• Demonstrate commitment to improving students’ academic and personal development and to the Uncommon mission.
• Support school or regional needs as appropriate, including teaching a course, helping 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 (Spring, Winter, and Summer).
• Extensive training and development.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Pre-tax flexible spending accounts, dependent care flexible spending accounts, and health savings accounts.
• 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