Position Title: Teacher Development Manager
Location: Chicago
Reports To: Managing Director of Academics
Type: Regular Full Time
Start Date: August 2023
Distinctive Schools creates diverse, joyful, welcoming communities rooted in social justice and rigorous learning. We support all learners to be engaged, curious, and to achieve their full potential. Our students become confident advocates, creative problem-solvers, and collaborative leaders.
Position Description:
The Teacher Development Manager is an experienced educational leader who oversees the development of teacher leaders and works in partnership with the campus leaders to monitor the implementation of the Distinctive Schools coaching model at all campuses. This leader possesses a deep understanding of research-based instructional coaching methods and understands the tenets of adult learning. They have a proven ability to plan and facilitate impactful professional development that leads to lasting change in practice. This person possesses excellent interpersonal and executive functioning skills and is a leader who has the foresight and ability to capitalize on opportunities for growth and improvement within the organization. The Teacher Development Manager collaborates with stakeholders at all levels of the organization to foster continued improvement and to accomplish the goals of the organization’s strategic plan. This person will:
DS Coaching Model
Implement the DS Coaching Model with fidelity and integrity across all regional campuses
Refine the DS Coaching Model in response to network goals and data
Remain current in the research of instructional coaching and teacher development in order to inform the continued evolution of the model
Meet with the assistant principal regularly to celebrate progress, monitor implementation of the DS coaching model, solve problems and design next steps
Observe and provide feedback on lead instructional coach and coachee meetings and Assistant Principal and lead instructional coach meetings
Collaborate with school principal in the teacher leader interview process and teacher leader professional development experiences
Partner with lead instructional coaches and Assistant Principal to implement DS Observation Structures to increase inter-rater reliability and monitor progress
Communicate updates, progress, and coaching data regularly to campus and teacher leaders
Use Whetstone to document all coaching moves
Lead ongoing collaborative and solution-focused learning opportunities for Assistant Principal, and teacher leaders focused on strengthening implementation of the coaching model
Teacher Onboarding & Development
Partner with members of the network team to support the planning and facilitation of annual New Teacher Institute to introduce new hires to the organization’s mission, vision and expectations
Contribute to the development and implementation of a new teacher onboarding program to ensure that first year teachers receive the appropriate support at the appropriate time and in order to increase retention
Plan and facilitate ongoing regional professional development to strengthen the capacity of teacher leaders and Assistant Principals
Partner with regional and network leaders to ensure new teacher onboarding reflects regional needs and priorities
Meet with teacher leaders monthly to reflect on leadership development and their role in supporting professional growth in others
Join meetings between the assistant principal and lead instructional coach to engage in conversations designed to support the growth of the individual
Provide timely and actionable feedback to teacher leaders in partnership with the school leader
Academic Team Member
Partner with Academic Team members to lead key initiatives related to the role of the teacher leaders and teacher onboarding and development
Uphold and Contribute to and implement the DS Model, strategic plan, campus growth plans, and network priorities
Provide strategic vision, support, and leadership in new school start-up or restart opportunities
Design, implement, monitor progress, and provide updates on key instructional coaching decisions with a specific focus on new teacher development
Partner with Academic and Student Services Team members to ensure parity and cohesiveness in philosophy, pedagogy, systems, structures, and protocols among all initiatives and content areas
Establish tasks and timelines and develop strategies to support projects through from beginning to end
Plan, design, and implement network initiatives and participate in regularly scheduled network and campus meetings and professional learning
Maintain a current and detailed understanding of all local and state requirements for onboarding and teacher development
Participate in ongoing professional learning opportunities in order to better support network growth and ensure that instructional coaching practices reflect current research
Contribute to grant applications and other professional writing
Collaborate and meet regularly with fellow Teacher Development Managers to partner, design and implement key projects and ensure alignment of philosophy, practices, and systems across all campuses
Check-in regularly with the Director of Academics to collaborate, set and refine goals, review project progress, share feedback and support, and build rapport.
Participate in the formal and informal coaching observation process and personal goal-setting with the Managing Director of Academics. Leadership practices will be measured and developed using a universal framework.
Perform the assigned responsibilities of an Academic Team member and other duties as assigned
Requirements:
Education
Bachelor’s Degree
5 years’ teaching experience
3 years’ school leadership experience
Certifications
Valid Illinois State Board of Education teaching certificate and credentials
Qualifications
Ability to work 40+ hours per week during required hours
Ability to travel to and between regional campuses on a daily basis
Demonstrated ability to multitask and hit numerous deadlines simultaneously
Experience serving in an instructional leadership capacity, preferred in K-12 settings
Knowledgeable of the ways in which adults learn
Excellent organization, time management and follow-up skills; high sense of commitment; ability to work as part of a team
Ability to review and analyze student and campus data from multiple sources
Ability to learn digital tools and programs as needed for the position
Proficient in Google Suite
Ability to work 40+ hours per week between required hours
Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 20% sitting, 50% walking, and 30% standing.
Why Join the Distinctive Schools Team:
We are a collaborative team of professionals supporting each other to instill a love of learning in our students
We empower students, families and staff to contribute to our mission in a meaningful way
We make an impact in our communities by serving some of the most historically marginalized in the city
We offer a great benefits package for full time employees (Medical; Dental; Vision; PTO; 403b match, paid family leave, discounted gym membership, tuition reimbursement options, referral bonus)
Distinctive Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other personal characteristic protected by applicable law.
Distinctive Schools Network
Kathleen Giacona