Program Manager of TK-12 STEAM

Description

Aspire Public Schools operates a network of high-performing, college-preparatory charter schools serving scholars in communities across California. Founded in 1998—in an effort to transform the inequitable racial, social, and gender outcomes that our communities persist through—Aspire is one of the largest and most forward-thinking open-enrollment public charter school systems in the nation.

Our purpose is to prepare our scholars for success in college, career, and life. At Aspire, we set a foundation for our scholars to gain knowledge, skills, and power to access and make choices for their families and post-secondary lives. Every day, our community of students, families, teachers, and staff comes together to learn, work, and play in an environment grounded in our values of Bienestar (Well-Being), Culture of Belonging, Community Partnership, Agency & Self-Determination, and Joy.

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The K-12 STEAM Program Manager is an essential member of Aspire Public Schools and will focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) and on regional support for schools. This person plays a key role in developing and delivering STEAM PD and coaching for teachers. The Program Manager of STEAM will drive the highest quality STEAM pedagogy, curriculum, and assessment in schools through the following responsibilities:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Spends approximately 70% of time supporting the region through delivery of STEAM PDs and on-the-ground STEAM coaching and support to teachers.

• Coaching work supports TK-12 science, technology, engineering, art, and math coherence through reference to ASLF, the Next Generation Science Standards, Common Core Standards, and the use of approved instructional tools (Instructional guidelines, pacing guides, etc.).

• In alignment with Aspire’s equity beliefs, works with the Associate Superintendent of Instruction and/or Dir. of STEAM to provide additional resources and or support to Tier 2 and 3 schools.

• Analyzes site-level math and science data in multiple content areas to identify region-wide goals and trends. In collaboration with the Associate Superintendent of Instruction and/or Dir. of STEAM, co-creates region-wide action plans to address gaps, creating opportunities to implement pedagogy and curriculum that reflect data-supported best practices from inside and outside of the organization, in support of a region-wide coherent model.

• Builds capacity by training strong teachers to provide impactful coaching.

• Support and develop teacher leaders to have an inquiry-based and student-centered learning approach in STEAM

• In collaboration with the Regional Instructional Leadership Team, support instructional leaders to lead professional development for school leaders, teachers, and ed specialists that is aligned to the STEAM vision. Ensures explicit connections between coaching and professional development with the Transformational Leadership Framework (TLF) and Aspire Students Learning Framework (ASLF).

• Contribute to the development of the Principal, Supporting Administrator, Teacher training scope and sequence, and develop STEAM content and assessment knowledge.

• 30% of time is dedicated to org-wide R&D on science pedagogy, curriculum development, and aligned ASPIRE programming.

• Pedagogy and curriculum reflect data-supported best practices from both inside and outside of the organization and the Next Generation Science Standards.

• Collaborates across the region to create a rigorous, developmentally appropriate STEAM program that prepares scholars for high school and beyond

• Collaborate on an evolving vision for STEAM that is rigorous, standards-aligned, and equity-based. Collaborate with Aspire colleagues to determine an approach to drive educational equity in STEAM and recommend how we allocate resources and programs accordingly. Ensure that vision and program are guided by Culturally Responsive Teaching Strategies.

• Drive STEAM assessment cycles at the regional level, including establishing timelines, writing and/or providing feedback on assessments and supporting documents, communicating school scheduling, and providing support in scoring/norming.

• Analyze data on STEAM assessments to identify goals and trends.

• Ensure that vision and program are guided by Culturally Responsive Teaching Strategies.

• Conduct audits of STEAM curriculum, including unit plans, lesson plans, and projects. Develop and design in collaboration with instructional colleagues, instruction to address STEAM trends.

Organizational Relationships

• Works closely with the Regional ILT and Data Team to maximize the ability of Aspire Public Schools to interrupt inequities in STEAM education for our young people.

• Performs other related duties as required and assigned.

Additional:

• Demonstrate knowledge of, and support, the Aspire Public Schools mission, vision, value statements, including antiracism, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior

• Actively seeks to improve and simplify Aspire’s approach to particular job functions

• Comfortable with the utilization of technology in a remote environment

• This role may require travel up to 80% time to schools across the region and may require some periodic travel to all Aspire regions and/or other locations for conferences/professional development

• Perform other related duties as required and assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Required knowledge, skills & abilities:

• Vast knowledge of the CA Common Core Standards in Mathematics and knowledge of NGSS standards.

• Demonstrated ability to write effective curriculum units with an equity-based pedagogy.

• Instructional leadership and teaching experience required: proven results in student learning as both an instructional leader and a teacher

• Knowledge of teacher and leader development frameworks and the ability to co-develop aligned content and systems

• Command of the instruction-assessment cycle, and the ability to apply this knowledge to develop a cohesive CIA program

• Curriculum and assessment writing experience required

• Experience in schools with adult learning and professional development required

• Outstanding ability to lead, including influencing and motivating others

• Ability to learn quickly and to be effective in a fast-paced, dynamic, entrepreneurial environment: able to work autonomously and thoroughly with independent self-reflection, as well as take direction as needed

• Demonstrated educational philosophy and methods that encourage the development of active and lifelong learning

• Ability to demonstrate creative and flexible thinking

• Strong time and task management skills, enabling multiple projects to be completed on time

• Alignment with and urgency around Aspire’s mission, vision, and values

• Excellent team player: always puts the team’s goals first and works to support and motivate peers

• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills

• Ability to move comfortably between high-level strategic thinking and intricate details

• Excellent ability to drive change and build buy-in through relationship building

• This role may require travel up to 80% time to schools across the region and may require some periodic travel to all Aspire regions and/or other locations for conferences/professional development

• Comfort with engaging in conversations that might push people out of their comfort zones, especially regarding discussions about race and educational equity

• Be an active learner and teammate.

• Understands and applies an equity-centered lens in problem-solving

Minimum Educational Level:

• Bachelor’s Degree required, with relevant degree and/or content expertise;

• CA Teaching Credential Required

• Master’s Degree preferred

• CA Administrative Credential, preferred

Experience required:

• 5+ years of Teaching and Leading experience in an educational setting

Compensation:
Aspire offers its employees a competitive salary and benefits, including paid time off, 100% core health benefits coverage on select plans, life insurance/long-term disability, participation in a CA state retirement plan, tuition reimbursement plan, and adoption assistance program.

Our salary range, based on years of experience for this position is $88,024 - $112,998, linked here: Program Manager of TK-12 STEAM

Aspire Public Schools provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

This position description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities. The order in which duties and responsibilities are listed is not significant.