Uncommon Schools

Dean of Curriculum & Instruction

Uncommon Schools$87K — $130K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Passion for Uncommon Schools' mission
  • Ability to lead effective professional development for teachers
  • Strong teaching skills with a track record of student success
  • Proficient in lesson plan development
  • Strong people management skills for navigating tough conversations
  • Experience in creating academic and teacher development systems
  • Strategic time and task management skills in a fast-paced environment
  • Familiarity with Uncommon's instructional leadership frameworks
  • 3+ years of teaching experience with proven student growth
  • Demonstrated success in instructional coaching and content knowledge across multiple grades.

Responsibilities

  • Analyze student data to lead effective meetings and action plans
  • Develop pre- and post-assessments for data analysis
  • Monitor progress against academic benchmarks
  • Facilitate quality assurance of assessment materials and cycles
  • Provide real-time feedback to teaching staff during observations
  • Plan and lead professional development and team meetings for staff
  • Support school-wide academic systems and initiatives

Benefits

  • Generous paid time off including sick leave and paid holidays
  • 10 weeks of paid breaks throughout the year
  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
  • 403(b) retirement program with employer match
  • Paid leave options for parental, medical, and disability
  • Mental health support and wellness benefits
Full Job Description
Job Description

To build more high-performing schools, we need leaders to commit themselves to the most
urgent and exciting work of our time. At Uncommon Schools, our Deans of Curriculum &
Instruction (DCIs) are school leaders focused on supporting teachers and instructional leaders
to deliver the most rigorous and joyful academic experience for our students that leads to
exceptional academic gains. DCIs play a central role in the success of their school and work
closely with their Principal and fellow DCIs across Uncommon in driving student achievement
and teacher development. DCIs' responsibilities include the following:

Data-Driven Instruction
  • Conduct deep analysis of data in order to lead effective analysis meetings based on daily student work samples;
  • Build and implement action plans, materials, and systems to address data, including facilitating Interim Assessment (IA) scoring and norming, developing pre- and post- analysis of IAs for the whole school, and supporting Instructional Leaders (ILs) with data analysis of their department;
  • Monitor grade-level or content-area progress against assessment cycle benchmarks;
  • Facilitate assessment cycles including quality assurance of assessment materials, teacher/student preparation, and scheduling alongside the Director of Operations;
  • Support with regional and network data analysis and response systems.

Feedback and Teacher Development
  • Conduct daily observations, integrate feedback into planning and data meetings that lead to teacher and instructional leader development, and support implementation of action steps;
  • Provide real-time feedback to teachers during instruction;
  • Inform, write, and/or lead teachers' mid-year reviews;
  • Plan and deliver high-quality professional development (within the school, region, or network) that trains staff members in Uncommon's curricular systems and key pedagogical issues;
  • Plan and execute team meetings for grade-level or content-area staff based on school-wide instructional trends;
  • Collaborate with the Principal to coach and identify the highest leverage goals for ILs, including leading IL Team Meetings;
  • Oversee school-specific data response curriculum (e.g., reteach lessons, response to Power Practice Quizzes, or PPQs);
  • Partner with the Principal to curate staff-wide / staff-facing professional development sessions using school-wide action steps or walkthrough data;
  • Support with mid-year teacher onboarding, as needed.

Whole School Culture
  • Support with planning or leading whole school moments and initiatives;
  • Lead and manage school-wide academic systems, such as office hours, grade books, or providing feedback to teacher internalization of lessons;
  • Be the model of culture and rigor techniques at the school;
  • Support Curriculum and Instruction Initiatives
  • Plan and facilitate network or regional PD during the summer or school year.
  • Support network or regional instructional initiatives related to student achievement - such as supporting regional data analysis and response, or curriculum development.

Mission-Alignment
  • Demonstrate a passionate commitment to improving the minds and lives of students in and out of school, and in pursuit of the Uncommon mission;
  • Willingness to step up and support the school's or region's needs, such as directly teaching a course that's in the best interest of scholars, supporting school operations in strategically planning staff coverage, or providing direct support to another school;
  • Participate in Inspections, school walkthroughs, working groups, and CAT quarterly walkthroughs;
  • Collaborate with the Home Office, RSI, Principal, Director of Operations, Dean of Students, Special Education Coordinator, School Social Worker, and other staff to maximize the ability of Uncommon Schools to support students' academic and socio-emotional development.


Qualifications
  • Passionate commitment to the mission of Uncommon Schools;
  • Ability to plan and lead effective teacher professional development;
  • Strong teaching skills;
  • Proficient in lesson plan development;
  • Strong people management skills, including the ability to effectively navigate difficult conversations and hold staff, scholars, and families accountable in a supportive manner;
  • Systems-based thinking and previous experience creating academic systems, as well as teacher development systems;
  • Ability to strategically manage and prioritize time and tasks effectively to fully meet the needs of their school, with a lens toward systems thinking;
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment; flexible, able to work autonomously and take direction as needed;
  • Familiarity and success with-or commitment to-implementing Uncommon's core tenets of instructional leadership (e.g., See It-Name It-Do It framework, Leverage Leadership principles)
  • Required experience:
    • 3+ years of teaching experience with evidence of outstanding student growth and achievement;
    • Demonstrated instructional coaching capabilities that contribute to teacher growth and development;
    • Strong content knowledge, across multiple gradespans or content areas;
    • Bachelor's Degree.


Additional Information

Our people are what make us Uncommon. We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits that support the personal health, wellness, and finances of our staff and their families. Our compensation philosophy values equity & fairness and attracting & retaining top talent.

We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits that support the personal health, wellness, and finances of our staff and their families.

Compensation

Compensation for this role is between $87,000 to $130,000. Most candidates who meet job description requirements will receive an offer of $87,000 - $97,400.

Starting pay is determined using various factors including but not limited to relevant professional development, education certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools.

Benefits
  • Generous paid time off inclusive of sick time, paid holidays, and 10 weeks of paid breaks (Spring, Winter, and Summer).
  • Extensive, best-in-class training and development
  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans + pre-tax flexible spending (FSA), dependent care (DCFSA), and health saving accounts (HSA)
  • Financial Planning
    • 403(b) retirement savings program + employer match
  • Paid leave of absence options (parental, medical, disability, etc.)
  • Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefits

*A detailed list of all benefits is located HERE.

At Uncommon, we believe that a supportive and welcoming environment helps our students, staff, and community thrive. We are dedicated to building a team that brings a wide range of perspectives and experiences, reflective of the communities we serve---with over 70% of our staff identifying as people of color. Our organization values respect and open dialogue on important topics that shape our school culture.

Videos To Watch

About Uncommon Schools

Uncommon Schools (UNCG) is a non-profit organization that manages a network of public charter schools in the northeastern United States. The organization was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in New York City. UNCG operates 55 schools in New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, serving over 20,000 students. The organization's mission is to prepare low-income students for college and to provide them with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in life. UNCG has received numerous awards and accolades for its work, including recognition as a leader in the charter school movement.
Learn more about Uncommon Schools
Size
2,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1997

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Uncommon Schools

More Education, Government & Non-Profit Jobs

Find similar Dean of Curriculum & Instruction jobs: