Middle School Director

The Learning Community • Central Falls, RI

23h • Onsite

About The Position

At the Learning Community, we believe that literacy empowers each individual to have a voice, assume community responsibility, and take social action. We grow teacher leaders, student leaders, and community leaders. We are a K-8 public charter school and seek a collaborative, instructional, and operational leader to serve as our Middle Grades Director. This role is a vital leadership position that works closely with the Head of School, Director Team, Instructional Team, Student Support Team, and other leaders throughout the organization to create the conditions for Middle Grades students to thrive and teachers to do their best work. Over the last two years, the Middle Grades division has experienced tremendous growth—both in academic achievement and in school culture—and we are seeking a leader who is ready to pick up that momentum and help the team keep building on it. The Middle Grades Director serves as the primary administrator for the Middle Grades program and is responsible for academic excellence, personnel leadership, student support systems, family engagement, and day-to-day operations. The Director holds the vision for the Middle Grades, leads implementation of school-wide priorities, and ensures strong outcomes for students and staff while advancing the mission of the Learning Community. The incoming Director will be supported by a strong leadership infrastructure that includes a Middle Grades Team Lead and dedicated instructional coaches in ELA, Math, and Science.

Requirements

• Strong classroom teaching experience.
• Experience leading, coaching, or supervising educators.
• Authorized to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Five or more years of teaching experience.
• One or more years of school leadership, coaching, or administrative experience.
• Experience leading curriculum implementation and instructional improvement efforts.
• Experience supervising and evaluating teachers.
• Experience using student achievement data to drive instructional decisions.
• Experience working collaboratively across multiple teams and stakeholder groups.
• Professionalism, Accountability & Follow-Through: Consistently deliver high-quality work, keep commitments, communicate proactively, and take ownership for results.
• Relationship Building & Trust: Build strong relationships with students, families, and colleagues and leverage those relationships to advance student success and organizational goals.
• Intentional, Inclusive & Relational Communication: Communicate clearly, thoughtfully, and inclusively. Seek feedback, listen actively, and adjust communication style to effectively engage diverse stakeholders. Equally comfortable giving direct feedback and receiving it—and model what it looks like to grow from both.
• High Emotional Intelligence: Balance people and outcomes, navigate conflict productively, remain calm under pressure, and make thoughtful decisions centered on student well-being and equity.
• Organization & Project Management: Effectively manage multiple priorities, systems, deadlines, and stakeholders while maintaining attention to detail and ensuring strong execution.
• Strategic Thinking & Leadership: Can hold a long-term vision while simultaneously managing day-to-day operations, solving problems, and leading organizational improvement efforts.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of the Middle Grades academic program
• Drive school-wide literacy goals through leadership of writing instruction, academic discussion practices, and independent reading initiatives
• Ensure high-quality curriculum implementation across grade levels
• Oversee the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), including academic data reviews, intervention planning, tiered student support structures, and progress monitoring systems
• Monitor instructional quality through collaboration with coaches, classroom observations and feedback, and assessment data
• Lead planning and preparation for state assessments, including RICAS scheduling, staff training, and implementation support.
• Directly supervise, support, and evaluate Middle Grades teachers and designated academic staff
• Conduct formal and informal observations, provide written feedback, and facilitate evaluation meetings
• Partner closely with the Middle Grades Team Lead and instructional coaches in ELA, Math, and Science to identify teacher needs, develop growth plans, and coordinate support strategies.
• Facilitate regular teacher check-ins, goal-setting conversations, and performance discussions.
• Foster a culture of continuous feedback, learning, reflection, and improvement.
• Serve as a key leader for student behavior, academic integrity, attendance, and student support concerns.
• Partner with social workers, special educators, and related service providers to support students experiencing behavioral, social-emotional, or mental health challenges.
• Lead or support re-entry meetings, safety planning, intervention planning, and family communication following suspensions or significant student incidents.
• Support conflict resolution and restorative processes involving students and staff.
• Ensure implementation and compliance of Section 504 accommodations, including annual reviews and development of new plans.
• Maintain strong relationships with families through proactive communication, responsiveness, and collaborative problem-solving around student needs.
• Communicate regularly with families regarding school events, student progress, and important updates.
• Build strong relationships, trust, and collaboration within the Middle Grades team and across departments.
• Model and cultivate a warm-demander approach with students, families, and staff by pairing high expectations with deep care and support.
• Build a culture of teacher leadership by creating opportunities for staff voice, innovation, collaboration, and shared decision-making—and by genuinely welcoming feedback as much as giving it. Our Middle Grades team has a strong culture of shared voice and expects a leader who thrives in that environment.
• Facilitate Middle Grades meetings, collaborative planning structures, and professional learning experiences.
• Lead and support school committees, leadership teams, and strategic initiatives as assigned.
• Support student leadership initiatives and collaborate with student government advisors and student leaders.
• Manage the Middle Grades budget, including approval of purchases and monitoring expenditures.
• Coordinate key Middle Grades systems and events, including orientations, conferences, report cards, family events, field trips, and school-wide activities.
• Oversee elective partnerships and community-based learning opportunities, including partner recruitment, onboarding, and support.
• Coordinate high school preparation activities for students and families, including fairs, application support, and recommendation processes.
• Ensure completion of required state reporting and compliance responsibilities, including educator certification requirements, literacy reporting, individualized learning plans, and other Rhode Island Department of Education mandates.
• Collaborate across departments including operations, finance, special education, communications, technology, athletics, and student services to ensure effective support for students and staff.
• Support daily school operations as needed, including arrival, dismissal, hallway presence, guest teacher support, and other operational needs.
• Hold and communicate a clear vision for Middle Grades success aligned to the school's mission and strategic plan.
• Lead annual planning and implementation efforts for Middle Grades priorities.
• Use data to identify trends, celebrate successes, and address challenges.
• Drive strong implementation of school-wide goals and initiatives.
• Ensure effective communication and collaboration between Middle Grades staff and other departments across the organization.
• Serve as a member of the school's leadership team and contribute to whole-school decision-making and continuous improvement efforts.

Benefits

• Medical Insurance: 82% of annual premium paid by Learning Community for individual or family plans.
• Retirement: Participation in the State of Rhode Island Teacher Pension Plan.
• Life Insurance: $50,000 life insurance policy provided at no cost.
• Time Off: Approximately 8 weeks of vacation throughout the school year, 12 paid holidays, 10 paid sick days, and 5 paid personal days annually.
• Optional Insurance: Vision and dental coverage available at employee expense.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed