Associate Director of Elementary Literacy
New York, NY: DCS East Harlem
Network Support Team – Network Leadership /
Full-Time /
Hybrid
Originally founded in 1991 as Harlem RBI, DREAM has grown to annually serve more than 2,500 youth across East Harlem and the South Bronx through a network of seven PreK-12, extended-day, extended-year DREAM Charter Schools and community sports-based youth development programs. Through our commitment to rigorous academics, social-emotional learning, deep family and community engagement, and health and wellness, we create lifelong learners who are equipped to fulfill their vision of success in and out of the classroom. We dream big, as well, with an aggressive five-year plan to expand to serve 3,500 students across seven schools—growing our organization’s impact and leveling the playing field for all children. To learn more, visit wearedream.org.
Reporting to the Managing Director of Curriculum and Instruction, the Associate Director of Elementary School Literacy’s primary responsibility is to develop, codify, and support the implementation of a rigorous, vertically aligned elementary school ELA curriculum.
The Associate Director of Elementary School Literacy collaborates closely with school-based leaders to design and facilitate high-quality professional development and coach leaders and teachers around content; ensure strong implementation of the literacy curriculum; create and modify assessments; and analyze and respond to assessment data. The ideal candidate has extensive knowledge of elementary literacy, the science of reading, and best practices for literacy teaching and learning in grades K-5, experience fostering adult learning through high-quality professional development and coaching, strong data analysis and strategic thinking skills, a mission-driven mindset, and a passion for innovation.
Responsibilities
- Curriculum, Assessment, and Data Responsiveness
- Develops and designs a rigorous, vertically-aligned, and interdisciplinary grade K-5 literacy curriculum that fosters the achievement of all students, takes a constructivist, interdisciplinary approach, is culturally and historically responsive, and develops students’ critical consciousness;
- Selects, adapts, and/or creates unit plans, assessments, lesson plans, and instructional materials for DREAM’s K-5 Literacy curriculum aligned to the science of reading and pedagogical best practices;
- Collaborates with the Managing Director of Curriculum and Instruction and other key stakeholders to design a multi-year process for strategic redesign, revision, and codification of the K-5 Literacy curriculum and assessments;
- Analyzes student data to assess the effectiveness of curricular design and implementation, makes necessary short- and long-term revisions and improvements, and creates network, school, and classroom-level action plans and resources to improve student achievement;
- Collaborates with Principals, Academic Deans, Deans of Student Supports, and other key stakeholders to regularly analyze assessment data and use it to drive instruction;
- Collaborates with the Associate Director of Middle School Humanities and the High School Director of Curriculum and Instruction to ensure alignment of our PK-12 literacy programs.
- Teacher & Leader Development
- Designs and facilitates high-quality professional development to support teachers and leaders with curriculum implementation;
- Conducts curriculum implementation and content walkthroughs to support school-based teams in determining focus areas and action steps for instructional improvement by observing literacy instruction and analyzing student and teacher data;
- Regularly observes and provides feedback on Intellectual Prep meetings in order to improve coaching and teacher development practices across schools;
- Coaches Academic Deans to improve their instructional leadership, content knowledge, and curricular expertise.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in Education or Teaching, particularly elementary literacy, preferred;
- Minimum of 5 years of elementary school ELA teaching and/or leading experience with a record of achievement for all children;
- Minimum 1 year (more preferred) of school leadership experience including a successful record of developing teacher and/or leader knowledge, skill, and productive mindsets around teaching and learning, including experience with design and execution of adult professional development and coaching;
- Extensive knowledge of the science of reading, instructional design, curriculum development, assessment design, culturally and historically responsive pedagogies, and pedagogical best practices in elementary school ELA;
- Experience with instructional leadership and/or teacher development, preferred;
- A drive to succeed and achieve great results on behalf of all students, especially those furthest from opportunity;
- A strong analytic, performance management, accountability, and systems-thinking orientation necessary to inform strategy development and execution;
- Deeply committed to fostering equity and inclusion in our school;
- Strong interpersonal skills, cultural competency, and an ability to connect and build relationships with a diverse group of people;
- Strong organizational skills and an ability to project plan, prioritize, and balance multiple projects simultaneously;
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to convey complex information to a variety of audiences;
- A strong belief in the mission and values of DREAM, including a desire to make a difference in the lives of our students, families, and community.
Working Expectations
- The Associate Director of Elementary School Literacy is part of the Curriculum and Instruction Team, which works a minimum of 3 days a week on-site and up to 2 days a week remote, with some weeks requiring more days on-site.
- On-site work takes place across three DREAM campuses throughout East Harlem and the South Bronx.
- Start Date: Hiring for an immediate start.
Benefits and Paid Time Off
- We offer comprehensive benefits including:
- Flexible Medical Health Plans, subsidizing the majority of costs for the employee, their spouse/domestic partner and children;
- The ability to select between a variety of medical plans according to what best suits the employee’s needs;
- Dental and vision plans;
- Disability benefits;
- Life insurance;
- Up to 12 weeks fully paid of Parental Leave;
- Flexible spending account options;
- Pre-tax commuter benefits (parking and transit);
- Fitness and entertainment discounts;
- A variety of support through our employee assistance program (EAP);
- A 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching up to 4% after one year of employment
- Referral bonuses;
- All full-time Network Support Team employees are eligible for approximately 48 days off throughout the year including holidays, sick days, personal days and summer Fridays.
- Benefits are subject to change.
Compensation
- DREAM offers a competitive salary commensurate with relevant experience with the potential for an annual performance-based increase. The incoming salary range for this position is $95,000 to $105,000 per year. New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary closer to the start of the range depending on qualifications, internal equity, and the budgeted amount for the role. All staff are eligible for annual performance-based increases. Because we value staff tenure in each role, we do not currently cap salary ranges.
At DREAM, diversity, equity, and inclusion are a matter of mission.
From our schools to our playing fields, DREAM is committed to building a team where each individual can bring their full identity and experience to work because representation matters—it enriches our team culture, enhances our ability to innovate, and strengthens our impact in and out of the classroom. DREAM engages staff that represent and appreciate the diversity of our majority Black and Hispanic student body, while working to ensure that our practices are equitable, welcoming, and productive. We are dedicated to creating a world where youth, especially youth of color, have permission to dream—along with the tools and opportunities to make their dreams reality.
All Kids Can. This Kid Can.
DREAM is Family.
Fun is a Serious Value.
Teamwork Makes the DREAM Work.
Fail. Persist. Exceed.
DREAM Big.
Applying to DREAM
We know applying for a new job can be a daunting process. In addition, studies have shown that historically underrepresented individuals often only apply to roles if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We encourage all applications! You may be just the person we need. If you have any questions about your application or interview process, do not hesitate to ask your recruiter; we are here to help!
DREAM provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws. If accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact your recruiter.
