Reporting to the Chief Schools Officer, the Managing Director of Teaching and Learning (MDTL) is responsible for enhancing and managing the core academic program at KPPS, including our vision for high quality, rigorous, and liberatory instruction, teacher and leader coaching and development, and K-12 curriculum and assessment. The MDTL will work to ensure that KPPS students across our region build the skills, knowledge, and mindsets essential to leading a choice-filled life through our K-12 coursework and experiences. The MDTL leads the Teaching & Learning Team, which currently includes a Director of Math, a Director of Literacy, and a Director of K-2, but may grow larger over time. The MDTL is responsible for coaching, developing, and managing each team member. The MDTL will bring a well- developed equity lens, deep knowledge of academic standards, experience directly managing and coaching employees, and experience leading initiatives across multiple schools.
Key Responsibilities:
Academic Program Management
- Build and operate with in-depth knowledge and expertise in all aspects of the KIPP Philadelphia Schools K-12 instructional design, including curriculum, assessment, pedagogical approach, and core content.
- Design and lead the ongoing revision and enhancement of our current K-12 academic program, including gathering feedback from and engaging in thought partnership with school and regional leaders and driving regional academic initiatives.
- Understand and operate with a deep understanding of the connection between identity, experience, and equity, and use this lens to support critical revisions to our core academic program needed to affirm and center Black children.
- Ensure our academic program, including guidance and policies that support effective course scheduling, crediting, grading, and vertical alignment, is clearly and simply codified and communicated.
- Ensure that all teachers and administrators have access to high-quality, timely, engaging professional development experiences that support the growth of both their content expertise and pedagogical practice.
- Design and communicate our regional understanding of and approach to preparing for high-stakes assessments.
- Other duties as assigned by the CSO.
People Management & Collaboration
- Coach, develop, and manage each member of the Teaching & Learning Team via weekly 1-1 check-ins, observation, practice, data analysis, modeling, and thought partnership.
- Understand team members' aspirations and trajectory and support them to achieve their current and future goals.
- Set goals with team members, monitor progress, and conduct mid- and end-of-year evaluations that promote shared clarity and team member development.
- Cultivate a strong, positive, authentic team culture.
- Build relationships and systems for collaboration, thought partnership, and communication within the Teaching & Learning Team and with schools, specifically Assistant Principals and Principals
- Collaborate closely with the Senior Director of Data & Analytics regarding academic and school data, data tools, ed tech platforms, and our data-driven approach.
- Collaborate closely with the Managing Director of Student Support regarding academic interventions, replacement curricula, and the special education and student support landscape.
- Collaborate closely with the Head of Schools regarding school needs, academic initiatives, and professional development.
- Collaborate closely with the Managing Director of Talent and the Senior Director of Teacher & Leader pathways regarding performance management, pathway programming, hiring, and retention practices.
Who You Are:
- You love and see the high potential of all children.
- You have experience driving student growth and achievement, and creating a warm, inclusive, rigorous learning environment.
- You have a passion for facilitating professional learning, including a desire to continuously grow and learn as a leader.
- You operate with cultural competence and a commitment to inclusion, anti-racism, and the eradication of anti-Blackness.
- You believe that teachers are the primary drivers of student growth, learning, and achievement.
- You have high expectations for students and teachers, and the ability to motivate, inspire, and hold others accountable.
- You are solutions-oriented and have an eagerness to adapt in order to solve problems.