Dean of Curriculum & Instruction

Uncommon Schools • New York, NY

32d • $87,000 - $130,000

About The Position

The Dean of Curriculum & Instruction (DCI) is a school leader responsible for supporting teachers and instructional leaders in delivering a rigorous and engaging academic experience that drives student achievement. The DCI works closely with the Principal and other DCIs across Uncommon Schools to advance student outcomes and teacher development.

The role leads data-driven instruction by analyzing student work and assessment data, facilitating analysis meetings and assessment cycles, developing action plans and response systems, monitoring progress, and supporting regional and network data work. It also develops teachers through daily observations and feedback, coaching, professional development, team meetings, mid-year reviews, and support for instructional leaders. The DCI helps lead whole-school culture and academic systems, contributes to regional and network curriculum and instructional initiatives, and supports school or regional needs in alignment with Uncommon Schools’ mission.

The position requires a passionate commitment to improving students’ lives, strong teaching and coaching skills, sound systems thinking, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced school environment. Compensation is $87,000–$130,000; most candidates meeting the job requirements will receive an offer of $87,000–$97,400. Starting pay depends on factors including relevant professional development, education certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools.

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, scholars, and families accountable in a supportive manner.
• Systems-based thinking and prior experience creating academic and teacher-development systems.
• Ability to strategically manage and prioritize time and tasks 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.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity and success with—or commitment to—implementing Uncommon’s instructional leadership principles, such as the See It-Name It-Do It framework and Leverage Leadership principles.

Responsibilities

• Analyze student work and assessment data and lead effective data 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 in collaboration with the Director of Operations.
• Support regional and network data analysis and response systems.
• Conduct daily observations, provide real-time instructional feedback, and integrate feedback into 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 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 leading 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 culture and rigor techniques at the school.
• Plan and facilitate network or regional professional development during the summer or school year.
• Support network or regional instructional initiatives related to student achievement, including data analysis, response, or curriculum development.
• Demonstrate commitment to the Uncommon mission and support school or regional needs, which may include directly teaching a course, helping strategically plan staff coverage, or supporting 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 in spring, winter, and summer.
• Extensive training and development.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Pre-tax flexible spending, dependent care, and health savings accounts.
• Financial planning resources.
• 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