Middle School STEM Academic Coordinator

Middle School STEM Academic Coordinator, Brooklyn, New York

In-Person Work Required
This is an exempt position and is not eligible for overtime.

WHO WE ARE
Explore Schools is a network of public charter schools providing 1,700 students in Brooklyn with the outstanding education they deserve. Our goal is to provide students with curriculum and instruction that is both standards-aligned and culturally responsive. Our approach is designed to provide the conditions that nurture students as critical thinkers and natural problem-solvers.  As an organization we are committed to engaging in work that disrupts and roots out systems and structures that perpetuate white supremacy. We intentionally seek to build and maintain a diverse and talented team that reflects the backgrounds and experiences of our students and creates an inclusive environment for all employees.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

We believe that all children can learn when immersed in a rich environment full of high expectations, rigorous academics, and caring, committed adults. We believe equity and excellence are not mutually exclusive—we can meet the needs of all students in our schools, while actively engaging parents and driving toward excellent academic results. We believe it is both our privilege and responsibility to help close the opportunity gap in the Brooklyn community.

WHO YOU ARE

Explore Schools seeks an experienced educational leader who demonstrates a drive toward excellence and is passionate about serving all students. The ideal candidate is an outstanding leader and manager of adults, who believes and invests in developing talent, while possessing a strong understanding of academic rigor and effective instruction. Additionally, you possess the following qualities:

• Dedicated to working in communities that have historically been underserved and under-resourced
• Committed to thoughtfully engaging in identity work necessary to take a culturally responsive approach to pedagogy and relationship-building with students and colleagues
• Experience coaching teachers or managing adults, preferred
• Outstanding math and science content knowledge throughout grades 6-8
• Data-oriented: use data to set goals and measure success
• An eye for details: sweat the little things and provide differentiated approaches to instructional coaching
• Exceptional verbal and communication skills: can pivot communication styles depending on desired outcomes and audience
• 3+ years of teaching experience, preferably in an urban charter school
• Master’s Degree in Education, preferred

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Academic Coordinators are directly responsible for the coaching, growth, and evaluation of the teachers they supervise. Working closely with the school Principal, you will be expected to manage the following daily:

Leadership & Talent Management

• Management & supervision of teachers and grade level teams, including the teacher evaluation and performance improvement process
• Carry out the school-wide annual priority plan and collaborates with fellow leaders to execute on the instructional vision and to set instructional expectations for teams
• Provide school-wide, grade level, and individual professional development as needed
• Coordinate and leads meetings with grade level teams & coordinators to identify needs around instruction, culture, and operations and to execute on next steps
• Review & support lesson planning, ensuring team members have all materials necessary to provide quality instruction
• Participate in the recruitment, selection and retention of staff

Instructional Delivery and Student Support

• Support with instructional initiatives as designated by the Principal or School Director by providing academic support to students and small groups, including direct instruction as needed
• Provide support and training to teachers around behavioral systems and culture-relevant practices
• Provide direct support to students relating to behavioral needs
• Oversee teacher-family connections, ensuring that direct reports are communicating, and being responsive to, families around academic and behavioral priorities
• Ensure all support services, related services and intervention needs of students are being met, including, but not limited to family communication, revision of IEPs, CST coordination and teacher oversight
• Plan and support instructional, non-classroom, initiatives such as family events/meetings, tutoring, after school clubs and field trips

Additional Responsibilities:

• Ensure the safety of students at all times
• Assist with non-instructional supervision of students, as needed, such as arrival/dismissal, hallway monitoring, lunch & playground duty, or supervision/planning of extracurricular activities, and in the event of an emergency
• Contribute to the overall success of the school and the network by welcoming related, different, and new requests; remaining aware of the demands on others; volunteering to help without being asked; keeping track of approaching deadlines and improving processes
• Collaborate with colleagues throughout the Explore Schools network

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Explore Schools staff members receive a competitive salary, paid time off including network shutdown days, considerable matching of retirement contributions, and more.

• The salary range for incoming Academic Coordinators is $85,000 - $100,000. This is our good faith range at the time of posting.
• Incoming salaries are determined based on experience and internal equity.
• Because we value staff members staying in their roles over time, we do not currently cap salary ranges and this is the range for incoming staff members only.
• This is base salary and does not include additional compensation opportunities, such as signing bonuses, additional time worked pay, stipends, leadership opportunities, and additional pay for specialized certifications and advanced degrees.

Additionally, you can expect:

• A comprehensive benefits plan, covering up to 95% of the cost for employees and their families. Other benefits include dental and vision plans, employer paid disability and life insurance, parental leave benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time and paid holidays, professional development, continuing education scholarships, referral bonuses, employee assistance program (EAP), childcare assistance, a 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching, and more! 
• Flexible and reflective leadership: dedicated to staff development, team cohesion, and shared responsibility for decision-making, development, and team-wide priorities  
• Driven and passionate colleagues who contribute to a professional and collaborative work environment   
• Opportunities to sit on various committees and participate in initiatives central to key organizational decisions and strategic planning   
• Our school-based staff also receive:   
• Professional development: weekly PD, year-round retreats and trainings, and ongoing coaching by professionals   
• Continued education support: staff are eligible to receive scholarship funds towards qualifying certification costs or higher education tuition  

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Explore Schools is a network of 6 charter schools located in Canarsie, Crown Heights, and Flatbush communities of Brooklyn, NY. Our schools are currently operating fully in-person. For this position:

• In-person work is required
• This is an exempt position and is not eligible for overtime.
• The standard workweek is 45 hours, though at times you may work more.
• This role requires that you be able to stand for at least 5 hours a day, take multiple trips up and down the stairs in a day, and be able to move quickly in an emergency.
• This role also requires that you be able to lift up to 15 pounds.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

As discussed in our Who We Are section, Explore Schools is an equal opportunity employer. It is important to us that all staff members have a place of employment that is free of discrimination of all kinds and where staff can bring their authentic selves to work. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran, or military status. If any employee or applicant believes they have been discriminated against, they should let Tiffany Williams know immediately.