[2024-2025] Director of Middle School Literacy (5-8)

Company Description

KIPP Capital Region is a part of a national network of high-performing public Charter Schools committed to creating joyful, academically excellent, and prepared students with the skills, ability, and confidence to pursue their paths to college, career, and beyond.

Located in both Albany and Troy, NY, KIPP Capital Region serves 2,500+ students in grades K-12 across seven schools. We believe every individual walks through the doors of schools bearing gifts.

Talent. Perspective. Drive. Inspiration. So at KIPP Capital Region, we support every student and educator to see those gifts, then build the skills and confidence they need to thrive.

We are committed to furthering anti-racism, equity, and racial justice in all our efforts, and expect all of our stakeholders to participate in this work so that we can create a future without limits for our students, together.

Job Description

Position Overview

The Director of Middle School Literacy drives student outcomes in core literacy for KIPP Capital Region in grades 5 - 8. In partnership with the Teaching and Learning team, this person will own the management, and execution of the full literacy program, ensuring we are providing high-quality, anti-racist literacy instruction to our KIPPsters.

The Director of Middle School Literacy is responsible for the implementation of high quality, grade level curriculum during the core literacy clock as well as supporting schools with the implementation of literacy-based intervention programs to ensure that we are meeting all students at their current level and boosting their reading and writing skills.

Duties / Responsibilities

Program Vision

Owns program design, to include setting and monitoring progress towards program goals, creation of key program deliverables (curriculum implementation and coaching tools, formal professional development calendar, etc.

in collaboration with the Senior Director of K-8 Academics and Chief Academic Officer.

• Manages key program stakeholders through organizing meetings, designing, and executing a communication strategy.
• In collaboration with T&L, drives significant and equitable student growth and outcomes in literacy.
• Ensures that curriculum and pedagogy are grounded in the Science of Reading across all of our literacy classrooms.
• Models excellent literacy instruction and coaching.

Program Implementation

• Engages and invests stakeholders (teachers, school leaders, students, families) in our vision of high-quality literacy instruction.
• Coaches school-based instructional leaders in curriculum implementation and data-driven instruction.
• Oversees the administration of regional assessments that yield meaningful data.
• Creates data-driven action plans that promote student achievement in word recognition, language comprehension, and writing and ensure that instruction is driving equitable outcomes.
• Observes instructional practices in schools to identify and address curriculum design and professional development strengths and gaps.

Curriculum Development and Implementation

• Provide ELA Literacy curricular development, implementation, coordination, and assessment of the 5-8 literacy program to improve student achievement and meet student, school, and regional goals.
• Support and codify a rigorous, vertically aligned Literacy curriculum in both core and small group blocks including the creation of a year-long scope and sequence, unit plans, assessments, lesson plans, and instructional materials.
• Enhance school-based ELA Literacy curriculum and assessments as needed and give feedback to school-based team members on the ELA Literacy unit and lesson plans.
• Implement curriculum by observing and modeling ELA-Literacy lessons supporting effective intellectual preparation.
• Oversees and provides feedback on curriculum development and revision work by lead planners or other school-based team members.
• Utilizes student performance data to assess the effectiveness of curricular design and implementation and makes necessary short- and long-term revisions and improvements.
• Facilitates strong implementation of the middle school ELA-Literacy curriculum by (1) Attending and sometimes leading unit previews and other intellectual preparation meetings in prioritized grades.

2) Modeling best teaching practices. (3) Observing and providing feedback on ELA-Literacy instruction.

Professional Development Opportunities

• Designing and leading regional professional development, both pedagogy and curriculum / assessment specific.
• Designing structures and systems for school leaders and coaches to support content knowledge development and curriculum implementation.
• Leading regular school walk-throughs and classroom observations with school and regional leadership teams.
• Collaborating with school-based leaders and coaches to devise meaningful action steps that improve student outcomes.

KIPP Capital Region

• Perform other duties as outlined by the Senior Director of K-8 Academics and Chief Academic Officer.
• Committed to furthering anti-racism, equity, and racial justice in all our efforts, and expect all our stakeholders to participate in this work so that we can create a future without limits for our students together.
• Complies with all charter, federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including the NYS Department of Education, Department of Health, and NYS Office of Children and Family Services
• Adheres to organization policies and procedures; promotes and supports mission, vision, and values, including developing and participating in internal surveys and data collection for continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES

• Commitment to anti-racism and equity
• Strong DEI lens with an exceptional creative power in leading anti-racist practices
• Thrives in a fast-paced, team-oriented, mission-driven culture
• Demonstrates a growth mindset and a desire to continually improve through feedback
• Strong work ethic, entrepreneurial spirit, and flexibility to accommodate the high level of responsibility, multiple priorities, and rapidly changing environment
• Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional teams in a rapidly changing environment.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule outside of regular business hours.
• Ability to create and work within an inclusive environment that honors and supports a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives.
• Please note : frequent travel to different KIPP Capital Region schools is required
• Pass a Criminal Background Check

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• Master's degree in reading instruction is strongly preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience as an English or ELA school educator, preferably in a charter or public school environment.
• 3+ years of Leadership experience, preferably in Literacy with demonstrated excellence in instructional leadership, including instructional coaching, leading professional development, and student outcomes.
• Strong middle school ELA -Literacy content and pedagogical knowledge with a record of achievement for all children and excellent planning, codification, and organizational skills.
• Prior experience working in schools and urban communities is preferred but not required.

Additional Information

WORK PERKS

When you join KIPP Capital Region, you are joining in on our promise to families that their children will enter college and the professional world able to thrive academically due to their literacy, numeracy, and core knowledge in science and social studies.

We also promise that our students will develop a passion for learning and the drive necessary to persevere as they climb the mountain to and through college and career.

Our graduates will be prepared to return to their community as teachers, leaders, and architects of continued growth in the Capital Region.

And while the biggest perk to working at KIPP Capital Region is doing work that makes a lifelong difference in the lives of our students, you'll find that's not the only benefit we offer :

• Flexible work arrangements
• Generous time-off
• Industry-leading medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Aggressive employer 403(b) contribution match
• Childcare benefits
• Unparalleled work / life Integration
• Casual dress code
• Relocation stipend (conditions apply)
• Travel stipend (conditions apply)
• And so much more! For more information on the benefits of joining KIPP Capital Region, please view our Employee Benefits Summary .

Learn More :

KIPP Capital Region offers a competitive salary ranging from $109,300 to $120,800.

Salaries are determined using an equitable compensation scale that accounts for years of experience relevant to the role and longevity within the KIPP network.

KIPP Capital Region will evaluate and determine the step / level a new hire will be placed within our graded salary scale at point of hire.

All staff and educators at KIPP Capital Region are committed to anti-racism and inclusion, are part of a close-knit diverse community, and are encouraged to show up authentically, inspiring our children to do the same.

Learn more about what it's like to work at KIPP Capital Region : kippcapital.org / join-our-team /

We are very excited by your interest and are looking forward to reviewing your application. Our team will be in touch within 5-7 days after receiving your application submission.