Head of Academics

Job Summary

Reporting directly to the Director of SA, the Head of Academics (HA) sets the strategic vision and direction for the instructional framework and pedagogical approach to SA’s academic programs and is a key lever to accomplish SA’ mission, vision and key goals. The HA is the leader, spokesperson, and resident expert on curriculum, instruction, pedagogy, and learning. This role develops the short and long-term instructional vision for SA and works to establish a culture of high expectations and shared responsibility for equitable access to high quality and culturally relevant instruction. The HA works to create authentic partnerships between Head Office/Head Quarter offices and campuses that ensure closer alignment of district resources with school needs, to implement an instructional plan for the SA schools that ensures effective teaching in every classroom, and to create conditions that ensure the systemic improvement of practice over time in every classroom.

Duties and Responsibilities

Instructional Leadership

• Develop, and implement a compelling vision for the instructional and curriculum services and set a compelling vision and goals to ensure rigorous and standards-aligned instruction and instructional supports in every classroom, for every SA student
• Direct academic service areas (i.e. instructional improvement, curriculum and instruction, professional development, exceptional children services, gifted services, English as Second Language, etc.) and student support services
• Apply research and best practices to inform theories of pedagogy and ensure consistent delivery of high-quality instruction aligned with key standards (i.e. classroom-to-classroom, grade-by-grade, school-by-school)
• Ensure that instructional lessons are consistently standards-based, objective-driven, and effectively delivered with an urgent focus on individual student mastery

Instructional Management and Coordinated Services

• Collaborate with the Head of Schools and in all academic areas to evaluate existing curriculum programs based on observation, and data on student academic achievements -internal or external- to determine School Improvement Plans
• Work collaboratively with respective teams in all areas to ensure support of all teachers and the effective delivery of instructional programs and services
• Collaborate with principals, Head of Schools, and SA Head Office departments to provide supports for a variety of school settings and build school support systems with the necessary resources
• Hold school leaders accountable to high standards of excellence while providing high-quality support to help schools meet these standards

Continuous Improvement for School Support

• Establish direction for school improvement efforts by monitoring the progress of school performance, student achievement objectives and academic excellence indicators to align strategies for school improvement
• Create the conditions that enable all educators to provide rigorous, authentic, and personalized experiences for all students
• Create opportunities for teachers to reflect on their practice while engaging in the systemic improvement of practice over time in every classroom
• Strategically manage and allocate resources (including money, people, time, etc.) aligned to students’ needs

Talent Management and Professional Learning

• Build and lead a highly effective, innovative academic services department that is assessed on the ability to continually improve instructional practices
• Support staff to develop, implement, and evaluate project plans and strategy to achieve goals and objectives
• Provide input on professional development activities for SA by partnering with the central office to create system-wide professional development programs, ensuring a robust, systemic approach that meets student needs. • Monitor the coordination of all schools professional development efforts and the implementation of new and existing educational programs using Professional Learning Communities (PLC’s) as a vehicle to provide staff support
• Collaborate with school leaders on the hiring of staff when appropriate
• Facilitate collaboration among school leaders and teachers across school sites

Equity Leadership and Student Success

• Cultivate a commitment among all staff to enable all students to achieve high standards.
• Confront preconceptions and model open dialogue around race, culture, class and other issues of difference.
• Operate with a lens of cultural proficiency, sensitivity, and equity to ensure students’ needs are met.
• Assess the distribution of academic supports with clear equity, ensuring allocations provide the best resources to equitably and effectively meet the needs of all SA’s students, families, and schools.

Other duties as assigned by Director of SA or his/her designee, and Foundation Directors.