Associate Director of Science, Technology, and Engineering
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 Network Director of STEM, the Associate Director of Science, Technology, and Engineering is responsible for managing the development and implementation of DREAM’s rigorous, vertically-aligned, interdisciplinary, constructivist, culturally and historically responsive Science curriculum. The Associate Director of Science, Technology, and Engineering 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 Science curriculum; create quiz, unit, and interim-level assessments; and analyze and respond to assessment data. The ideal candidate has extensive knowledge of best practices for science and engineering teaching and learning in grades PreK-12, 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
- Develop and design a rigorous, vertically-aligned, and interdisciplinary grades PreK-12 science and engineering curriculum that fosters the achievement of all students, takes a constructivist approach, is culturally and historically responsive, and develops students’ critical consciousness;
- Select, adapt, and/or create unit plans, assessments, lesson plans, and instructional materials for DREAM’s PreK-12 science and engineering curriculum;
- Collaborate with the Network Director of STEM and other key stakeholders to design a multi-year process for strategic redesign, revision, and codification of the PreK-12 science and engineering curriculum and assessments;
- Together with Managing Director of Curriculum and Network Director of STEM, plan and facilitate a Science Working group of teachers and leaders to drive innovation and best practices for science education;
- Analyze student data to assess the effectiveness of curricular design and implementation, make necessary short- and long-term revisions and improvements, and create network, school, and classroom-level action plans and resources to improve student achievement;
- Collaborate with Principals, Academic Deans, and other key stakeholders to regularly analyze assessment data and use it to drive instruction;
- Collaborate with the rest of the Curriculum and Instruction Team (CIT) to ensure alignment of our PreK-12 science and engineering programs to our ELA and Math programs.
- Teacher & Leader Development
- Design and facilitate high-quality professional development to support teachers and leaders with curriculum implementation;
- Conduct curriculum implementation and content walkthroughs to support school-based teams in determining focus areas and action steps for instructional improvement by observing science and engineering instruction and analyzing student and teacher data;
- Regularly observe and provide feedback on Science Intellectual Prep meetings in order to improve coaching and teacher development practices across schools;
- Engage in observation and feedback cycles with science and engineering content leads and teachers, in consultation with their direct managers, to support the development of instructional pedagogy and content expertise;
- Serve as a model of exemplary science instruction across the network.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree, required; Master’s Degree in Education, Teaching, Curriculum, or School Administration/Leadership, preferred;
- Minimum of 5 years experience teaching and/or leading science and/or engineering within grades K-12 with a record of strong achievement for ALL children;
- Minimum 1 year experience (more preferred) of leadership in 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;
- Experience teaching across multiple grade bands, a plus;
- Experience implementing and adapting an external Science curriculum in the classroom, a plus;
- Deep knowledge of instructional design, curriculum development, standards alignment, assessment design, and pedagogical best practices in science and engineering;
- A strong analytic, performance management, accountability, and systems-thinking orientation necessary to inform strategy development and execution;
- A drive to succeed and achieve great results on behalf of all students, especially those furthest from opportunity;
- A deep commitment to fostering equity and inclusion in our schools;
- 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 Science 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: Flexible between May 1, 2024 and July 1, 2024
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.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
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.
Come dream with us.
DREAM Maxims
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.
