26-27 Director for Equity and Excellence (Application Deadline: April 10, 2026)

Somerville Public Schools•Somerville, MA

11d

About The Position

The Director of Equity and Excellence is an executive-level position that provides districtwide leadership to build the capacity of schools and departments to develop and consistently implement equitable practices across the district. This role advances equitable access, opportunity, and outcomes for all students, with a particular focus on those who have been historically underserved. Using data to drive decision-making, the Director partners with school leaders, instructional teams, and central office departments to identify and address disparities in academic achievement, discipline, and program access while strengthening Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) to meet students’ academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs. This role is critical to ensuring that the district delivers on its commitment to equity by transforming systems, practices, and outcomes so that every student has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.

Requirements

Deep understanding in the advancement of cultural proficiency, equity, diversity, and inclusion in schools and school districts
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate, collaborate, and problem-solve with a wide variety of constituents, including students, teachers, families, administrators, and community partners
Experience leading community engagement and community organizing efforts
Ability to use data to diagnose needs, monitor progress, and drive continuous improvement
Strong project-management and organizational skills, including the ability to coordinate multiple priorities, timelines, and stakeholders
Demonstrated skill in implementing complex initiatives, managing multi-step program rollouts, and ensuring fidelity to district goals and expectations
Master Degree in education leadership or related field preferred
Massachusetts DESE supervisor licensure required
Minimum of 5 years of experience in a leadership role required

Responsibilities

Support schools, instructional leadership teams, and principals in implementing instructional practices and school-based systems that close academic opportunity gaps, including culturally responsive teaching, inclusive classroom practices, and equitable access to rigorous curriculum
Support schools, instructional leadership teams, and principals in monitoring and addressing patterns of disproportionality in office referrals, suspensions, course access, and program placement
Work with school and district leaders to strengthen Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) that address academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs with an equity lens
Collaborate with principals and central office leaders to ensure that equity priorities are embedded in School Improvement Plans and district strategic initiatives
Lead cross-departmental analysis of district data (academic outcomes, course access, discipline, and program placement) using district data systems and equity dashboards to identify inequities and guide strategies to improve outcomes for historically underserved students
Establish metrics to evaluate equity initiatives and collaborate with the Departments of Academics, Student Services, Special Education, Multilingual Learner Education to make growth toward identified goals
Partner with district departments to address inequities in discipline, course access, alternative education, and enrichment opportunities to ensure students have equitable access to rigorous learning, support systems and pathways for academic success
Collaborate with the Somerville Family Learning Collaborative to support and align equitable family engagement efforts
Collaborate with the Out-of-School Time Department to build and integrate supports embedded in afterschool programming to close academic opportunity gaps
Consult with the Superintendent of Schools and other relevant departments regarding student and staff incidents involving bias and discrimination, including reviewing reports, coordinating appropriate responses, supporting communication with affected parties, and helping ensure follow-up actions align with district policies and equity commitments
Lead a team of school-based Equity Specialists to help support equity goals and initiatives in each school
Facilitate professional learning for all SPS staff that connects equity practices directly to instructional improvement, student engagement, and academic outcomes
Support the professional learning and induction of all new SPS educators
Develop and manage strategic partnerships with community-based and national organizations that support equitable opportunities and outcomes for SPS students including but not limited to The Calculus Project, Becoming a Man (BAM), Working on Womanhood (WOW), and En Root
Develop structures for student leadership and voice in equity initiatives
Oversee and manage the Equity Department budget
Perform other duties consistent with the scope and responsibility of the position as assigned