The Ewing Marion Kauffman School is a free, public charter school serving more than 1,000 students in 5^th through 12^th grades. Focused on student achievement and strong character, the school’s mission is summarized in three words: create college graduates. The school serves a student population of which 87% qualify for free and reduced lunch and 90% identify as students of color. Students are accepted by a lottery that prioritizes the six highest-need zip codes within the district.

Students entering Kauffman School in fifth grade typically scored in the bottom third of the state on their fourth grade exams. After four years at Kauffman School, 8^th grade students score at the very top in state exams; in 2015-2016 Kauffman School 8^th graders ranked #1 in math, #3 in science, and #12 in ELA in the state of Missouri. Our founding freshman class was the #1 ranked district in Biology and the #2 ranked district in Algebra on Missouri’s end of course exams. These results have allowed us to create a high school that offers AP courses for all students, meaning 100% of students participate in AP courses by the time they graduate from our high school.  

In 2015, the Kauffman School was recognized as Missouri Charter School of the Year. In 2016 and 2017, the Kauffman School earned a perfect score on its statewide Annual Performance Rating, one of only 7% of districts statewide to do so. In 2017, Teach For America named the Kauffman School a School To Learn From. Additionally, the Kauffman School became the first charter network outside of New York City to earn the top tier “Platinum” rating from the Leverage Leadership Institute, an extension of the Relay Graduate School of Education. Our school and student results demonstrate our students’ incredible brilliance, passion, creativity, and work ethic. Kauffman School students are empowered by their identities and place in the community and develop a critical consciousness of the world around them. Kauffman School staff actively partner with families to be a school, not just in the community, but of the community.

The Director of Curriculum and Instruction is responsible for overseeing curriculum and instruction in two academic departments (with an emphasis on math and science), performing instructional coaching alongside current instructional coaches, planning and facilitating professional development, and performing school administrative responsibilities and duties as a member of the School Leadership Team. The Director of Curriculum and Instruction will bring a strong focus on student success and will be able to drive results and continuous improvement toward the school mission, vision, and priorities. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES      

Curriculum

• Work with teachers to create and refine Kauffman School curriculum documents (assessments, plans, data tracking), which correspond to college readiness standards, core instructional practices, and the benchmark assessment program
• Work with the network academic team to ensure that all curriculum is implemented with fidelity and excellence
• Work with the Director of Special Education to ensure all scholars with 504s, IEPs, and in the RTI process are on track for college success or their most rigorous post-secondary outcome

 Assessment

• Create, maintain, and update whole school, grade level, and teacher level student academic and assessment records and reports
• Oversee required standardized testing Identify and arrange for staff development opportunities which relate to core instructional practices, standards based assessments, and content areas
• Work with the Manager of Data and Technology to ensure that testing administration goes off without a single glitch or breach of security
• Ensure that all scholars eligible for college are on track for college success, including meeting all GPA, ACT and credit requirements to be eligible for a 4 year university in the state of Missouri and beyond

 Teacher Coaching and Professional Development

• Teachers will be managed by Instructional Coaches and Department Chairs; your role will be to partner with teacher’s manager to determine the level of support (lesson planning, rigor, execution, behavior management, classroom culture, etc.) needed to ensure success for students and teacher
• Manage performance of the team through ongoing staff-wide professional development, all staff meetings, and individual meetings with the team. Identify trends across classrooms and plan and execute professional development sessions to target key growth areas. Hold teachers and coaches accountable for improvement across all teachers.
• Support teachers in non-classroom skills needed to be successful: time management, organization, self-awareness and self-management

 Data-Driven Instructional Leadership

• Ensure that daily exit ticket data is being used and acted on daily by the teaching team; support data analysis in staff level coaching and school wide progress to goal
• Monitor overall school data and progress to goal
• Use schoolwide academic data to make decisions about where to focus instructional coaching, how to spend instructional time, what gaps instructional leaders need to fill to ensure that we achieve college success for all

 DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree preferred
• At least 3 years of experience teaching low-income, minority, or historically underachieving students, with a record of exemplary results
• History of effectively coaching/mentoring both new and experienced teachers
• Significant experience with curriculum development and instructional methodology
• Commitment and complete belief in the Kauffman School’s mission and organizational success
• Ability to take feedback well and implement changes immediately
• Entrepreneurial energy and ambition necessary for a start-up school
• Ability to maintain a calm, professional demeanor in the face of competing demands and external pressures
• Ability to be a team player and comfortable planning with others to achieve a common vision
• Acute attention to detail coupled with the ability to think and act strategically
• Strong time management skills; ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and meet tight deadlines
• Strong written and oral communication skills; strong interpersonal skills with students, parents, colleagues, and community members
• Excellent computer skills, especially Microsoft Office and Power School
• Personal qualities of maturity, humility, strong work ethic, and “whatever it takes” attitude

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The Kauffman School offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with anticipated duties and experience.  This position is eligible to participate in the school’s benefits program.

TO APPLY

Interested applicants should complete a formal application through the Kauffman School Careers page at http://www.kauffmanschool.org/.  In your cover letter please address the following topics:

• Share significant academic gains you have led teachers to achieve with students, citing specific evidence and/or data. Explain how your coaching led the teacher to successful results
• Highlight your experience working with low-income, minority, or historically underachieving students
• Provide specific evidence of your alignment with the Kauffman School’s mission of “creating college graduates” and/or the Kauffman School’s PREP Values (Perseverance, Results, Empathy, Passion).

The Kauffman School is an Equal Opportunity Employer, welcoming people to flourish in an open and inclusive work environment. A diverse pool of candidates is welcomed and encouraged.