Chief Academic Officer

Amethod Public Schools (AMPS) is a mission and values-driven organization. Our mission is to provide a rigorous college preparatory education and character development program that will prepare students from underserved communities to succeed in college and beyond. Our day-to-day work is embodied with a set of core values: Commitment to Distinction, Be Adaptable, Perseverance, Take Responsibility, and Students First. We are looking for team members who exude these values and a passion for our mission.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Chief Academic Officer (CAO) reports directly to the CEO and is the key individual responsible for developing and implementing both near-term and long term plans for the education department. The CAO provides direction and supervision over the various services of the Academic Instructional Team Including: Curriculum, Observations (Professional Growth Plans), Assessments, professional development, Special Education, and strategic planning. Additionally, this individual will coordinate, define and communicate integrated plans for the growth and development in all educational areas. The CAO is part of the Executive Team, but has close day-to-day interaction with and reporting responsibility to the Education Directors and Site Directors. The ideal candidate combines both strategic thinking and strong execution skills across various forms of education styles.

Organizational and Strategic Leadership

• Translate the organization‘s educational philosophy, goals and objectives into action terms that directly benefit teachers and students of the organization.
• Ensure achievement of AMPS goals and implementation of the organization’s Strategic Goals.
• Set and communicate program priorities and performance standards and assess operations using these criteria.
• Oversee the preparation and execution of the budget for the Education Division.
• Work to improve the quality of educational services and programs to the organization; assist organization to implement educational programs and procedures.
• Initiate development of new programs that are measurable and reflective of the organization’s data driven environment.
• Develop, evaluate and make recommendations to the CEO regarding policies and procedures governing the operation of the organization’s schools, educational services, special projects, research and evaluation, and curriculum and staff development.
• Provide leadership on creating and maintaining common language and standards around school culture throughout AMPS.
• Collaborate with AMPS home office leadership regarding teacher recruitment, human resources, operations, technology, development, and other areas as needed to best support AMPS schools.

Curricular and Instructional Leadership

• Provide leadership for innovative and effective curricular/instructional program development.
• Drive quality alignment across schools as the organization grows and ensure fidelity to successful AMPS curriculum programs and instructional practices.
• Identify, cultivate, and disseminate curriculum innovation across AMPS.
• Provide leadership and support on adopting research-proven, standards based instructional practice and resources in all AMPS schools.
• Collaborate with Site Directors, instructional team and C-level team to refine, articulate, and continuously improve the AMPS educational model based on student needs.
• Assist in the determination of resource allocation and the levels of services according to established policy.
• Select, train, supervise and evaluate staff.

Assessments and Data Metrics

• Continuous improvement data reviews to drive instruction at all sites.
• Select and ensure quality execution of AMPS assessment programs, both interim and formative.
• To develop and/or refine the implementation of the Data Dashboard to assist leaders, teachers and faculty.
• Document and communicate scope and sequence for each grade level.
• Work in conjunction with the Director of Assessments to implement, evaluate and refine a comprehensive professional development program for teachers.
• Oversee and ensure quality execution of AMPS data dives and interventions.
• Report out quarterly on academic dashboard metrics to Board and organization.

Leader and Career Path Development

• Work with instructional team to design and develop the training program for the Career Path and Up and Coming Leaders Programs.
• Differentiate training and PD opportunities based on needs of individual.
• Measure the efficacy of the training program and continuously improve based on data.
• Ensure Professional Growth Plans (PGPs) are executed with fidelity.

Compliance and External Relations

• Oversee the compliance areas of the site including charter petitions, reporting, credentials, enrollment procedures, site based practices and audit areas.
• In monitoring and assessing charter school LCAP progress toward implementation of short and long-term strategic plans;
• Keep informed as to the operation of the instructional programs in all charter schools in the organization as a whole for the purpose of evaluating the instructional programs and improving teaching procedures through conference, modeling, and other supervisory techniques;
• Represent charter schools at authorizing agency/district-level meetings for the organization in the area of academics and assessment programs;
• Build relationships and interact with stakeholders at various levels of the oversight agencies: District, County, State, Federal, Foundations, etc.
• Prepare and submit reports and other documents as requested by the CEO; oversees development and publication of other documents within the office.
• Attend all regular meetings of the Board of Education; prepare board reports, and present reports to the board.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE

• Curriculum and instruction experience.
• Charter School leadership experience
• Data analysis and application to bettering teacher practice
• Staff development training experience in different modalities.
• Research, evaluation and application experience.
• Teaching experience in urban settings.
• Principal experience (Five or more years of urban school leadership experience preferred)

DESIRED KNOWLEDGE

• Facets of urban school leadership practices
• Effective classroom practices including data analysis, differentiations, coaching and classroom management.
• Project management including administrative planning, organizational development, budgeting, and information processing.
• Funding sources for educational programs and the variety of related regulations, controls and reporting procedures.

DESIRED SKILLS

• Provide sound leadership strategy to ensure campuses continue to pursue strong academic progress in the areas of attendance, assessments, matriculation, and graduation
• Express ideas and concepts clearly and concisely in both oral and written form; use language and medium appropriate to audience.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and professional working relationship with individuals, groups, public, board members, and external stakeholders.
• Motivate, challenge and guide faculty and school leaders in the improvement of educational programs as determined by measurable outcomes.
• Analyze data and situation(s); render judgment, make decisions and solve problems efficiently and effectively.
• Develop and administer budget(s) related to area(s) or responsibility; anticipate revenue and expenditure needs and changes.
• Plan, organize, conduct and train, in-service and staff development activities; coordinate curriculum and instruction projects, conferences, events and activities.
• Select, train, supervise and evaluate staff relative to program objectives; observe and document performance; design data-based improvement process.
• Multilingual is a plus
• A willingness to do whatever it takes to help out students achieve academic excellence
• A willingness to do whatever it takes to ensure the school’s success,

EDUCATION

Master Degree from an accredited institution of higher education preferred