Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing charter public schools that are closing the academic achievement gap and preparing students from historically underserved communities for success in college and beyond. Uncommon currently manages 55 schools serving more than 20,000 students in six cities: Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, Rochester, and Troy. Uncommon graduates persist in and graduate from college at rates far higher than their peers. We believe that every child deserves an outstanding education, and we are committed to working beyond the walls of our schools to achieve that goal through our professional development workshops, books, and district partnerships. 

Summary of Role

The Director of High School Science leads high school science achievement.  An essential member of the High School Curriculum and Assessment Team (HS CAT), the Director of High School Science will drive high quality science curriculum and assessment, provide network-wide professional development for science teachers, support school-based science instructional leaders and teachers, and lead data analysis and response to ensure all high schools are driving towards key science outcomes.

Core Duties & Responsibilities

Curriculum & Planning

• Lead and manage 9-12 science curriculum:
  • Finalize the 9-12 science curriculum scope and sequence, aligning to AP exams/practices, success on the SAT, and key college readiness skills
  • Manage all curriculum planners in the creation of unit plans, daily lesson plans, assessments, and instructional coaching resources
  • Meet and collaborate regularly with curriculum planners to guide creation of quality plans and coaching resources, including consistent feedback to the quality of plans and coaching resources
  • When needed, lead the design and/or revision of curriculum for aligned courses
• Periodically observe classroom teaching of lessons to collect feedback and inform improvements to curriculum
• Actively drive the process of ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion in the curriculum and providing guidance for implementation of culturally responsive teaching frameworks
• Drive AP exam preparation
• Research latest curriculum and assessments and build relationships with other CMOs/school districts to integrate impactful practices into Uncommon’s curriculum and assessments

Project and Workstream Management

• Partner with team on curriculum and assessment initiatives and key workstreams
• Prepare essential information and recommendations for key decisions for the Senior Director of HS CAT, including supporting data and rationale
• Craft and lead cross-regional/network-level projects related to curriculum and assessment that include collaboration across teams, communication, and creation of new content
• Coordinate curriculum planning team on projects, ensuring timely and qualitative communication, facilitating meetings as needed
• Communicate important curriculum, instruction, and assessment dates, timelines, and revisions to relevant teams

Strategic Planning

• Implement high school-wide strategic plan related to science curriculum
• Lead science department annual strategic planning including opportunities for highest impact student achievement growth and adjustments for growth/scale

Data-Driven Instruction

• Lead the creation and management of science interim assessments and supporting resources
• Implement 9-12 science assessment cycles at the network level including communicating instructional goals and providing support on content (i.e. scoring/norming)
• Analyze data of 9-12 science assessments
• Build network-wide action plans and response to address 9-12 science data
• Plan and facilitate network-wide data presentations to communicate data analysis and action plans
• Conduct annual AP exam analysis to inform curriculum and assessment revisions

Observation and Feedback

• Support school science leaders and teachers through observation and feedback of key instructional and leadership levers
• Conduct grade/network level 9-12 science content walkthroughs and action plan with school and regional leaders  
• Support new leaders in developing 9-12 science content and assessment expertise
• Participate in school inspections

Professional Development

• Lead and/or participate in network- or high school-wide working groups for content initiatives
• Write and deliver high-quality, highest lever 9-12 science professional development that addresses network observational and data needs
• Support preparation and facilitation of periodic meetings with school science leaders

Organizational Relationships

• Provide in-school and in-region support to build relationships with school/regional leaders and assess the impact of HS CAT initiatives on-the-ground
• Proactively build impactful relationships with HS CAT, school and regional teams, and curriculum planners to improve the ability of Uncommon Schools to support students’ academic success
• Contribute to other related duties as required and assigned

Required Skills/Abilities

• Instructional leadership and teaching experience: confirmed results in student learning as both an instructional leader and a teacher
• Experience with analyzing and responding to achievement data across multiple teachers and classrooms
• Curriculum and assessment writing experience
• Experience at the school level with adult learning and professional development 
• Outstanding ability to lead, including influencing and encouraging others 
• Ability to learn quickly and to be effective in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment: able to work autonomously with independent self-reflection, as well as take direction as needed 
• Outstanding and creative problem-solving, critical thinking, and strategic planning skills with the ability to think beyond one’s own place in the organization
• Excellent organization, time management, and follow-through
• Demonstrated ability to successfully balance multiple projects and to lead them from start to finish
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to speak and write clearly and to differentiate messaging to a variety of teams
• Ability to move comfortably between high level strategic thinking and intricate details 
• Dedication to the mission of Uncommon Schools, and aim to build a high quality, diverse workforce at Uncommon to better serve our students, families, and communities
• Excellent teammate: puts the team’s goals first and works to support and empower peers 

Educational Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Master’s degree preferred

Experience Requirements

• 5+ years instructional experience required, including teaching, coaching, creating and leading professional development, creation of curriculum and assessment with outstanding content expertise and consistent track record of student achievement as both a teacher and a leader

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer

Travel Requirements

• Typically, travel involves single-day visits to high schools in all regions about 1-2 times per quarter
• Travel for network-wide professional development in select regions about 1-2 times per quarter and in all regions during Summer Professional Development

Uncommon Schools offers salaries commensurate with experience and a very generous benefits and vacation package. All staff members receive extensive professional development, and are equipped with a laptop computer and all necessary supplies.

Uncommon believes in the importance of being a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization that enables our students and staff to thrive. We are committed to building a talented team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. At the same time, we work to ensure an inclusive community through creating a space for meaningful dialogue about issues of race and identity for our staff and students.  As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability.