Director of Academics, Day Programs and Professional Development

Vanderbilt University•Nashville, TN

About The Position

The Director of Academics, Day Programs and Professional Development is a position with Programs for Talented Youth (PTY) at Vanderbilt University, Peabody College of education and human development and is responsible for overseeing all aspects of academic life for PTY day programs. PTY offers over 80 course opportunities through day programs during the summer and throughout the year. These programs are currently predominately designed for K-8 grade students. Instructors for day program courses vary and include area teachers and those in the VU community, including faculty, staff, and PhD students. The Director of Academics, Day Programs and Professional Development also provides leadership over professional development experiences, including conferences, consultation work with schools, and implementation of certificate-based trainings. The key role of the Director of Academics, Day Programs and Professional Development is to oversee the quality of academic experiences of students participating in any of PTY’s day program courses. The academic director role includes, but is not limited to supporting PTY instructors in course design, reviewing instructional plans to determine academic and developmental appropriateness for advanced and gifted learners based on grade level, providing professional development and ongoing support and coaching to program instructors prior to and during program implementation, managing seasonal academic staff, supporting academic life, and managing all aspects of instructional support requests, including managing the purchase and distribution of materials associated with all courses under the role’s scope. Reporting directly to the PTY Executive Director, the Director of Academics, Day Programs and Professional Development will collaborate and have a secondary indirect reporting line to the PTY’s Day Programs Director, to ensure the appropriate offering, selection, and delivery of accelerated and engaging courses in a variety of content areas and grade levels for programs under the program director’s purview. About the Work Unit: Vanderbilt Programs for Talented Youth (PTY) works to develop talent in gifted and advanced students and those who work with them. PTY is part of Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of Education and is led by staff who are dedicated and experienced in providing evidence- supported talent development opportunities for academically advanced learners in a creative, supportive, and academically rigorous environment. PTY also supports families and educators in learning more about gifted and advanced students, including those from low-income and culturally diverse backgrounds through specially designed workshops, conferences, and coursework. Founded in 2000 under the vision and leadership of Dean Camilla Benbow, a protégé of Dr. Julian Stanley and founder of talent search programs, PTY is comprised of a dedicated, hard-working and passionate group of individuals.

Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education is necessary.
2 to 4 years of experience in elementary education teaching is necessary.
Extensive knowledge of gifted education with specific training or an endorsement in gifted education is required.
Excellent written, organizational, and multitasking abilities are necessary.
Clear and strong communication skills are necessary.
Ability to maintain vibrant interpersonal connections while maintaining professionalism is necessary.
Ability to work with joy in a constantly evolving and dynamic office is necessary

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in an education field is preferred.
At least 10 years of experience in elementary education teaching is preferred.
At least 5 years of experience specifically working with gifted and/or high ability students is preferred.
At least 3 years of coaching gifted education teachers, overseeing professional development related to gifted education, and/or serving as a school or district leader in instructional design for gifted is preferred.
Experience working with academically advanced elementary school students is preferred.
Record of accomplishment of successfully leading and managing a college workforce is preferred.
Experience in establishing and implementing protocols for the safety and security of minors is preferred.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with PTY’s Day Program Director to retain seasonal instructors and to recruit experienced and knowledgeable instructors to teach in PTY day programs
Interview and select instructors for academic year and summer day programs, in collaboration with the PTY Day Program Director
Support instructors in developing accurate and engaging course descriptions within pre-established deadlines
Oversee the review and vetting of available published curriculum in the field of gifted education that might be implemented in PTY programs; provide recommendations or curriculum to the Day Program Director and Executive Director
Collaborate with the Day Program Director to develop a comprehensive, diverse, engaging, and instructionally appropriate repertoire of course offerings for academically advanced students participating in PTY day programs courses within the larger Vanderbilt community and world
Work with the Day Program Director and Executive Director to determine the number of course offerings for a given program and the expectations for course offerings and instructional delivery
Design and oversee systems for the timely acquisition and review of PTY day program instructors’ required submissions, including but not limited to, syllabi/lesson plans, welcome letter to students, course materials, course-packs and readings, use of computers and computer labs
Manage the appropriate implementation of protection of minors policies and developmental appropriateness of curriculum/resources during syllabus/lesson plan audits and classroom observations
Supervise a team of seasonal hourly staff members who support academic life for day programs
Collaborate with PTY program directors and academic team members to ensure that each program follows similar procedures, professional development requirements, policies, and expectations for classroom instruction, as applicable
Supervise all instructors across day programs, which includes regularly meeting with and observing instructors (pre-program and during the program) to support the development, design, and implementation of curricula that reflect best practices for academically advanced students
Design, revise, and oversee data collection and course evaluation efforts for day programs; provide detailed findings to PTY Day Program Director and Executive Director with recommendations for ongoing success
Oversee the purchasing and distribution of instructor materials, including making budgetary decisions around academic-related expenses
Be physically present to support instructors during programs
Oversee feedback and support to instructors in relation to the quality of all post course requirements including daily blog posts, course recaps, and individual student rubrics
Oversee instructors and academic support staff in problem-solving and brainstorming strategies to engage students who are struggling in a course
Along with other full-time program staff, collaborate as necessary to learn more about a student’s particular learning needs, discuss appropriate fit in a given course or PTY at large during and prior to program inception, and problem-solve potential appropriate accommodation options to help ensure student success
Provide ongoing support to instructors and students, as necessary, to ensure students understand expectations, are involved in the academic experience, and have needs addressed when a struggle arises, including participation and attendance
Job responsibilities listed herein are intended to be a thorough representation of the duties, responsibilities, expectations, and qualifications for this specific role at the time of hire but should not be considered all-encompassing as actual responsibilities may evolve to include additional duties as assigned based on organizational and operational needs.
Oversee the design of engaging and relevant professional development sessions for instructors working for PTY day programs prior to program inception and throughout the program session, as needed
Create instructional and behavior management resources, as applicable, to share with instructors based on their student needs
Meet individually with PTY instructors pre-program and during the program to support the development and design of courses, including but not limited to, reviewing course objectives syllabi/lesson plans, reviewing key experiences/final projects, and suggesting ideas to enhance course content, rigor, pace and appropriateness for academically advanced and gifted learners
Oversee a PTY instructor evaluation system, which includes observation of all day program classrooms and providing timely and constructive feedback and coaching based on observations
Provide feedback to instructors, teaching assistants, and seasonal administrative staff in cultivating a positive climate and culture, a student-centered focus, and a quality learning experience
Provide examples and model pedagogically appropriate strategies for academically advanced students
Establish expectations, timelines, logistics, and policies for instructors, teaching assistants, and academic support staff under the purview of the academic director
Oversee the organization, implementation, and teaching of the PTY Gifted Education Institutes and Employment Standard workshops, working with PTY leadership to secure guest speakers and to recruit, register, and communicate with attendees
Lead professional development sessions during PTY’s Gifted Education Institutes or other requested teacher sessions
Serve as the primary facilitator of PTY’s certificate-based programs and professional development offerings
Collaborate with PTY Executive Director to implement local and national contracts and grants in schools and classrooms, as requested
Other duties as assigned based on program and department needs.
Job responsibilities listed herein are intended to be a thorough representation of the duties, responsibilities, expectations, and qualifications for this specific role at the time of hire but should not be considered all-encompassing as actual responsibilities may evolve to include additional duties as assigned based on organizational and operational needs.