Academic Program Manager of Elementary STEM

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 Academic Program Manager of Elementary Mathematics is an essential member of the Aspire Public Schools and will focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) and regional support for schools. This person plays a key role in the development and delivery of STEAM PD and coaching for teachers. The Academic Program Manager will drive the highest quality STEAM pedagogy, curriculum and assessment in Elementary 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-8 science, technology, engineering, art, and math coherence through reference to ASLF, the Next Generation Science Standards, Common Core Standards, and use of approved instructional tools (Instructional guidelines, pacing guides, etc.).
• In alignment with Aspire’s equity beliefs, works with the Superintendent of Equitable Instruction and/or Sr. Dir. of Culturally Responsive Leadership Development to provide additional resources and or support to Tier 2 and 3 schools. 
• Analyzes site-level science data in multiple content areas to identify region-wide goals and trends.  In collaboration with the Superintendent of Equitable Instruction and/or Sr. Dir. of Culturally Responsive Leadership Development, 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 an Region-wide coherent model.  
• Builds capacity by training strong teachers to provide impactful coaching.
• Support and develop teachers 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 Elementary STEAM vision. Ensures explicit connections between coaching and professional development with the Transformational Leadership Framework (TLF) and Aspire Students Learning Framework (ASLF).
• Contribute to development of Principal, Supporting Administrator, Teacher training scope and sequence, and developing Elementary 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 elementary  STEAM program that prepares scholars for high school and beyond
• Collaborate on an evolving vision for Elementary STEAM that is rigorous, standards aligned and equity based. Collaborate with Aspire colleagues to determine an approach to drive educational equity in Elementary STEAM and recommend how we allocate resources and programs accordingly. Ensure that vision and program are guided by Culturally Responsive Teaching Strategies. 
• Drive Elementary 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 Elementary STEAM assessments to identify goals and trends.
• Ensure that vision and program are guided by Culturally Responsive Teaching Strategies. 
• Conduct audits of Humanities curriculum including unit plans, lesson plans, and projects. Develop and design in collaboration with instructional colleagues, instruction to address Humanities 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 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 familiarity with 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 ability to co-develop aligned content and systems
• Command of the instruction-assessment cycle, and 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 to 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 in regards to 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; 
• Master’s Degree preferred

Experience required:

5+ years of Teaching and Leading experience in an education setting