ABOUT KIPP

Together with families and communities, KIPP creates joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world. KIPP is a national network of tuition-free, public charter schools open to all students. There are 255 college-preparatory KIPP schools in 20 states and the District of Columbia, serving more than 100,000 students. Nationally, KIPP students are graduating four-year colleges at three times the national average for low-income students.

ABOUT KIPP ALBANY COMMUNITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS (KIPP ALBANY)

KIPP Albany Community Public Charter Schools (KIPP Albany) is a network of high-performing public schools that has been committed to creating joyful, academically excellent schools in Albany since 2005.  KIPP Albany is affiliated with KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) Public Schools, a national network of over 10,000 educators serving 160,000 students and alumni. For the 2021-2022 school year, KIPP Albany schools will serve over 1,600 students in grades K-8 and will employ more than 225 staff.  We are committed to furthering anti-racism, equity, and racial justice in all our efforts, and expect all of our stakeholders to participate in this work so that we can create a future without limits for our students, together.

Further regional growth is on the horizon with the Troy Prep K-12 schools planning to join the KIPP Albany network (new name TBD) at the start of the 2022-23 school year. Serving over 2,500 students in grades K-12 at seven schools across the Capital Region will allow increased curriculum offerings for students, professional development for staff, and enhanced family and community partnerships. 

Position Overview

KIPP Albany seeks a Director of 9th-12th Grade Curriculum to formulate and implement a vision of effective instruction for grades 9-12 aimed at developing and sustaining the highest possible level of progressive educational programs and services. As a key member of the instructional leadership team, the Director of 9-12 Curriculum cooperates with other administrators in providing strategic direction and implementing systemic improvement in curriculum, instruction, assessment, and other school improvement initiatives, as well as the professional development of principals, assistant principals, and professional staff. The Director of 9-12 Curriculum is an effective mentor for secondary leaders and that propels them to become effective leaders of instruction in their buildings. The Director of 9-12 Curriculum will make the instructional decisions needed to ensure equity in graduation rates and in college and career readiness, and cultivate diversity in leadership positions. As a strong leader for the design, implementation, and management of a complex secondary system focused on continuous improvement of student performance and achievement, the Director of 9-12 Curriculum formulates and interprets policies and procedures, ensures compliance with state and federal regulations.

Duties and Responsibilities of the Director of 9-12 Curriculum include, but are not limited to...

•  Focuses the work of all secondary-level personnel on ensuring that all students graduate college and are career-ready, with an emphasis on equity for all student groups.  

• Personally mentors secondary leaders and facilitates professional development for secondary staff, with attention to promoting cultural diversity among leadership positions.  

• Promotes the systemic implementation of progressive educational practices, such as proficiency-based teaching and learning, social-emotional learning, and inquiry-based instruction.  

• Plans and implements strategic change initiatives through facilitation of dialogue among those involved and consensus building among various constituencies.  

• Involves principals in goal setting and evaluation of secondary programs, using onsite visits and multi-point data as the basis for decisions aimed at raising student achievement.  

• Works in tandem with the other Curriculum Directors and the CAO to ensure the K-12 articulation of curriculum and academic expectations, and to drive regional instructional improvements in a coherent manner that supports KIPP Albany’s goals.  

• Engages in program-related outreach to partners in the community, in business, and in higher education, with a goal of facilitating students’ successful transition into post-secondary institutions and careers.  

• Provides vision, direction, management, and oversight for all aspects of the secondary program, including goals; budgets; curriculum; student assessment; program evaluation; data collection and analysis; school improvement plans; compliance; and the selection, allocation, development, and supervision of personnel.  

• Provides direction and oversight for alternative programs, athletics, and extracurricular activities.  

The successful candidate will possess the following skills and attributes:

• Ability to plan, organize, and direct a comprehensive secondary education program aimed at preparing every student for a successful transition to college or career.  

• Ability to lead improvement efforts toward identified instructional targets by motivating and mentoring building-level administrators and facilitating systemic change strategies, with an emphasis on progressive educational practices.  

• Commitment to equity in educational opportunities for students and leadership opportunities for staff, especially with regard to members of traditionally underserved and underrepresented groups.  

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with parents/guardians, the community, institutions of higher education, business leaders, and administrative staff. 

•  Strong knowledge of best practices in curriculum and instruction, program evaluation, evidence of classroom effectiveness, budget management, and data analysis.  

• Demonstrated knowledge of state/federal regulations and accreditation requirements governing public education programs. 

• Demonstrated knowledge and application of effective secondary education principles, practices and trends.  

• Demonstrated knowledge of curriculum, best practices in instruction and assessment, school operations and management, and leadership development.  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education Master’s degree in education or applicable field

• Minimum of 2 years of experience as an administrator in secondary school setting required

• At least 5 years of experience as a classroom teacher in grades 9-12 

• Demonstrated record of success in leading strategic educational initiatives that resulted in measurable improvements in student achievement.  

• In-depth experience in the systemic implementation of progressive instructional practices. 

Salary is competitive, commensurate with experience, and includes benefits. 

KIPP Albany is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KIPP Albany is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.