Leader of Curriculum and Instruction

Leader of Curriculum and Instruction

Aurora School seeks a Leader of Curriculum and Instruction for our K-8 program. The Leader of Curriculum and Instruction will work to advance our progressive mission by collaborating with the Head of School (HS) and other school leaders to effectively cultivate a positive and productive learning culture by managing with thought and care the K-8 student experience, some day-to-day operations, curriculum development, and implementation, faculty growth and review, and family relationships. The Leader of Curriculum and Instruction reports to the HS and is a member of a collaborative administrative team. We seek a culturally competent Leader of Curriculum and Instruction to work with our dedicated, diverse, and supportive community.

Professionals in the LGBTQ and BIPOC community are strongly encouraged to apply.

About Us:

Aurora School is an independent K-8 school that combines challenging academics, small multi-grade classrooms, differentiated instruction, and a keen awareness of student’s social and emotional development. A leader in progressive education since 1988, our mission is to nurture students’ love of learning by cultivating academic excellence, emotional intelligence, and social engagement. We strive to foster students’ development into self-aware, confident lifelong learners and leaders who step up to advocate for themselves and others: throughout school, in our Oakland community, and into the world at large. Our talented staff provides a safe learning atmosphere that extends beyond the classroom to every aspect of the school. The result is that Aurora graduates have a strong foundation for social and academic success in high school and beyond.

Employment Status:  Part-Time or Full-Time, depending upon the candidate. Exempt.

Compensation: $80,000-$140,000, Health Insurance including Dental and Vision Coverage, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Life Insurance, and TIAA retirement plan upon employment. The school matches employee contributions for their retirement based on the following:

Up to 2% matching for those with up to 4 years of employment at Aurora
Up to 4% matching for those with 4 or more completed years of employment at Aurora

Primary Objective: Promote and further teaching and learning practices and assist with school-wide administration in keeping with the mission and core values of Aurora School.

Reports to: Head of School

Required Qualifications:

• MA in Education, Teaching, Educational Administration, or a related field
• Minimum 5 years of classroom teaching experience in a K-8 school
• 3 years in a leadership position involving curriculum development and teacher supervision
• Relevant professional experience supporting diversity, equity, inclusion
• Knowledge of and experience teaching in a progressive education setting
• Experience working with Aurora’s curricular programs is preferred (Bridges in Mathematics,
• Illustrative Mathematics, Fundations, Teachers’ College Reading and Writing Project, Project Based Learning, Responsive Classroom, Restorative Justice Practices)
• Alignment with the mission and core values of Aurora School
• Experience working with both lower- and middle-school students preferred
• Highly effective organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Working knowledge of Google Suite and other educational software.
• Willingness and ability to learn new software as necessary
• Good sense of humor, warm, and exudes positivity

Attributes

• Fundamentally believes that all people are learners and leads in a manner that exemplifies and fosters the school’s progressive mission
• Passionate about progressive K-8 education pedagogy and programs; leadership in improving student learning outcomes, and building a strong community
• Possesses a leadership style grounded in collaboration and shared decision-making
• Deep knowledge and understanding of child development, from early childhood through early adolescence
• Models exceptional management skills that help to build ownership and coalesce the team around key initiatives
• Rigorous work ethic balanced with a warm spirit
• Makes data-driven decisions and knows how to lead change with a balance of decisiveness and collaboration
• Effectively evaluates opportunities for improvement and implements systems for elevating the program
• Learns with curiosity and thinks flexibly, balances strategic and systematic thinking with empathy
• Builds productive relationships with students, colleagues, and families
• Possesses effective and compelling listening, communication, management, problem-solving, and analytical skills
• Shows a strong sense of integrity, initiative, reliability, and accountability
• Works independently, attends to details, balances competing priorities, and creates efficient and effective systems
• Is responsive, meets deadlines, and works well under pressure

Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of the K-8 learning program in collaboration with the Head of School
• Inspire a caring and just community and culture for students and adults
• Manage student behavior based on a restorative justice approach
• Collaboratively oversee faculty growth and evaluation
• Systematically develop, document, review, and assess curriculum in collaboration with teachers
• Supervise learning assessment, including progress report development
• Analyze benchmarks and assessment data with acumen; collect, compile, and use data to improve the program
• Co-manages schedule development to meet the school’s progressive aims
• Create and administer structures for collaborative planning, including team and faculty meetings
• Help Head of School lead team to recruit, select, and onboard excellent lead teachers, associate teachers, and substitute teachers from diverse backgrounds
• Partner successfully with families and faculty to support student success
• Develop and manage the program budget
• Serve as leader of action in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice
• Support the recruitment and retention of students and families
• Works with admissions to lead and organize students’ admissions assessments
• Help develop parent education programs

To Apply:

Please submit your cover letter, resume, statement of educational philosophy, and references to the attention of abbie@auroraschool.org. No phone calls, please. For more information, please visit: www.auroraschool.org

EEO Policy:

Aurora School is an equal-opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, creed, gender, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity and expression, domestic partner status, age, national origin, or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, or any other unlawful consideration.