Dean of Curriculum and Instruction

BELA Charter School

Brooklyn Emerging Leaders Academy Charter School (BELA) is a STEAM focused all-girls high school located in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, focused on SISTERHOOD, SCHOLARSHIP, STRENGTH and SERVICE. Here, we are deeply committed to 100% of our students completing college. Founded on the belief that academic and life preparation are equally important, here each BELA young woman will embark on her own personal and intellectual journey. Students will empower and uplift one another, while respectfully questioning norms to develop their own identities within their rich cultures and communities. This unique learning environment is designed for educators who are intrigued and motivated by the potential that exists within each of our Bedford Stuyvesant young women, and someone who thrives in a startup atmosphere where outcomes are clearly defined, but creativity and risk are foundational to our school community.

The Role

The Dean of Curriculum and Instruction (DCI) facilitates a culture of constant learning for instructional staff at BELA. In partnership with the Head of School, the Dean of Curriculum and Instruction is responsible for the ongoing development, implementation, and assessment of BELA’s curriculum. The DCI will implement a meaningful and relevant professional development program to guide teachers in becoming master teachers. The DCI will also serve as a model teacher, and further develop systems and protocols to ensure that academic achievement and school culture consistently reflects the values and academic goals of school. In addition, the DCI will collaborate with the Head of School in the evaluation, modification, and development of instructional best practices. 

The position is a full-time position with an immediate start date. 

Educators (teachers and staff) at BELA will:

• Create inspiring, challenging, and effective teaching learning experiences for all of our students

• Collaborate with fellow teachers, students and school leadership to build the school from the ground up

• Share in the leadership of the school by taking on essential roles in addition to primary responsibilities

• Be committed to serving all students, including Students with Disabilities and English Language Learners, in the context of the regular education classroom using a variety of inclusion models

• Become part of a strong and supportive professional learning community committed to restorative practices

• Enjoy and thrive in the lively and diverse world of urban adolescent young women while striving to create a model of public education that serves them well. 

• Design, facilitate and participate in experiences and conversations that relate to race, gender, class, and sexual identity in ways that empower students and foster community

Primary Responsibilities:

Professional Learning

• Drive operational excellence across all departments including: Human Resources, Finance, Operations, Facilities, Transportation, Data/Analytics, Culture, Food Service, and Technology

• Assists in creating and monitoring a professional learning plan for all teachers, and other stakeholders (instructional coaches) as appropriate, both during the summer and throughout the year

• Ensures access to  internal and external professional learning opportunities for staff.

• Plan and deliver high-quality professional learning that trains and orients staff members to BELA’s curricular systems, instructional expectations and key pedagogical issues/areas of focus

• Creates collaborative structures within the school for the design of highly engaging schoolwork for students, including: establishing and monitoring ongoing peer review of this work and facilities sharing of teacher and student work throughout the professional community.

Coaching and Evaluation

• Conduct daily observations and plan/execute feedback meetings that lead to teacher and instructional coaches development and support the implementation of those action steps (i.e. data meetings based on daily student work samples)

• Conducts to formal written evaluations of teachers and instructional coaches (mid year and end of year)

• Makes recommendations to the Head of School regarding hiring and retention, and the assignment of teachers

• Builds professional relationships with teachers that help in their development

Curriculum Design

• Demonstrates a relentless drive to improve the experiences of students both in and out of school 

• Oversee the development and implementation of a rigorous, college preparatory curriculum including a vertical scope and sequence aligned to state standards and assessment processes

• Own curriculum and assessment work based on content expertise such as lesson planning, assessment development, revisions, and review, and collaborative scoring

• Assess the efficacy of curriculum and interventions, vet new programs/resources, oversee the implementation of curriculum and interventions, and make recommendations as needed (including student supports for content specific areas)

Instruction

• Develops a plan for providing remedial and additional support for students on both a mandatory and elective basis. 

• Support teachers to uphold BELA’s Student Support philosophy and approach including: Collaborating with teachers to design inclusive learning plans, monitor effectiveness of their inclusion approach, and provide feedback and support to create a high-quality inclusion plan

• Oversee the grading and the reporting of students academic performance by teachers; ensures teachers grading methodology is aligned to the school’s practices

• Serve as a model classroom teacher by teaching no more than one section based on need

Academic Data and Assessment

• Lead the cohort based/leadership data team

• Oversees the design and implementation of systems to assess student achievement; generates and manages internal assessment schedules, logistics, and reporting.

• Facilitate assessment cycles including scheduling, quality assurance of assessment materials, and teacher/student preparation with the support of school leadership

• Conduct deep analysis of data in order to lead effective analysis meeting with instructional leadership team and teachers/ content areas

• As needed, create grade level/content area action plans and materials to address Facilitate assessment cycles including scheduling, quality assurance of assessment materials, and teacher/student preparation with the support of school leadership

• Execute data meetings As needed, create grade level/content area action plans and materials to address Facilitate assessment cycles including scheduling, quality assurance of assessment materials, and teacher/student preparation with the support of school leadership

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Education, Curriculum and Instruction, or other related area

• Minimum five years of urban teaching preferred

• Strong belief in the mission and core values of BELA

• Strong MS Office skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and/or a propensity to learn new systems quickly; Proficiency with Google sites and documents preferred 

• Minimum five years of urban education experience, including management and team leadership

• Strong belief in the mission and core values of BELA

• Proficiency with Google drive and Google Classroom preferred 

Benefits and Salary 

Salary for this position is competitive and depends on prior experience. In addition, a comprehensive benefits package including: extended holiday breaks, weekly professional development, daily catered lunch, ample planning time, Apple MacBook Air, and an innovative collaborative culture. 

Anti-Discrimination Policy and Commitment to Diversity 

BELA seeks individuals of all religious, ethnic and racial backgrounds, sexual and gender identities to apply for this position. We are committed to maximizing the diversity of our organization, as we want to engage all those who can contribute to this effort. This job description reflects BELA’s assignment of essential functions and qualifications of the role. Nothing herein restricts management’s right to assign, reassign, or eliminate duties and responsibilities to this role at any time.