School Designer Posting

School Designer:

Key Position Responsibilities

The School Designer role is a critical component of success in Expeditionary Learning schools. Through design of effective ‘learning expeditions,’ professional development for teachers and principals, coaching and planning, the School designer is the cornerstone of the ELS model.

The School Designer will report to the Regional Director, Instruction and will have the following key responsibilities:

On Site School Leadership:

  • Partner with principals and school leadership teams in areas such as instructional leadership, effective use of data and assessment, culture building, and school structures.  
  • Design and facilitate high quality professional development (PD) at the school relating to the EL core practice benchmarks, i.e. active pedagogy, learning expeditions, and classroom and school culture.  
  • Design and lead summer PD
  • Coach Instructional Guide (IG) and teachers in understanding and applying the EL model
  • Support teacher and team design of standards-based learning expeditions (curricula)

Strategic Planning

  • Serve as an active member of new school planning teams, recruiting and training Instructional Guide
  • Shepherd  the annual strategic planning cycle from design to execution and manage processes for documenting, tracking and reflecting on school progress
  • Compile the annual Implementation Review (IR) data and write the IR report to the school.
  • Counsel principal/IG on PD options and choices that support the school-wide PD plan as well as individual teacher development.

Promulgation of Best Practices Regionally and Nationally

  • Participate in select intra- and inter- regional planning and projects
  • Actively network with other EL staff to share effective practices and exemplars and to problem-solve.
  • Facilitate off-site regional and national PD

Professional Experience/Qualifications

  • Minimum 5 years classroom teaching experience at the secondary level in EL school or similar
  • Minimum 3 years teaching and facilitating adults in a school environment
  • Minimum 3 years’ experience as a School Leader or other leadership experience
  • Demonstrable success with interdisciplinary, project-based and active pedagogy
  • Previous success using data to drive instruction and inform other school strategies
  • Successful application of both formative and summative assessments in the classroom and the ability to build others’ capacity for integrating assessment and instruction.
  • Belief in the EL Design Principles and an affinity for the Core Practice Benchmarks
  • Strong communication, organization and time management skills
  • Flexible, hard-working and proficient multi-tasker
  • Administrative/leadership experience, e.g. as a principal or district/regional instructional leader required
  • Prior experience in a start-up school or as a planning team member a plus
  • Prior experience in NYS and/or NYC strongly preferred

Individual Characteristics:

  • A Master Planner with great organizational skills—who can create order in all that you do
  • A Multi-Tasker who is efficient, creates and tracks action plans, has suburb follow up and always delivers on promises.
  • A Do-er with an “anything is possible” attitude who can maintain humor and flexibility and work in all types of contexts and environments simultaneously.
  • A Strategic Visionary who is also a master of details
  • A Self-Starter and self-monitoring individual who enjoys working independently and collaboratively.  
  • A Craftsperson who values quality and sets high standards for him/herself and for others
  • A Savvy Communicator who engenders understanding and trust by helping others develop to the highest possible EL potential—meeting each individual at his or her starting point, without judgment.
  • A Master Teacher of adults, who understands adult learning and knows how to inspire, engage and teach, and how to bring out the best in all people
  • A Rapport-Builder who can build  relationships in the schools, and become a trusted coach and developer of teachers and school leaders
  • A Lifelong Learner who is constantly seeking improvement and pursuing best practices in EL.
  • Empathetic, compassionate, humble, big-hearted and open minded
  • An unwavering conviction that every student can achieve at high levels

Salary and Benefits
   
Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications and the benefits package is comprehensive.
   
Please submit a cover letter with salary requirements and resume to opptys@nycoutwardbound.org