Director of Curriculum & Instruction
Phoenix Charter Academy, Lawrence, Massachusetts, us, 01842
Career Opportunities with Phoenix Charter Academy
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Careers At Phoenix Charter Academy
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Phoenix Charter Academy aims to show the world what all young people can do, and to defy the limitations of societal assumptions, classism, and racism. Phoenix Charter Academy was founded on the unwavering belief that all students can succeed at high levels. While this mantra is typical of high-performing schools, particularly those in the charter sector, Phoenix truly endeavors to reach every student, focusing on a growing number on the margins of the traditional public district education system: students who have dropped out of high school, students who are parenting children of their own, students who are or have been involved with the juvenile justice system, students who are older and new to the country and cannot gain access to public schooling, and students who are under-credited relative to the number of years they have spent enrolled in high school. We believe that these students, like all students, are completely capable of developing the skills necessary to set themselves up for lifetimes of economic prosperity and success. We support our students with individually tailored and academically rigorous curricula and push them to succeed at the highest levels by providing them with the resources and mentoring that they need to reach their full potential.
Why Our Work is Important
Students across America are dropping out of high school at an alarming rate. Dropping out of high school has a substantial impact on a young person’s life. Over the course of their lifetime, an individual who drops out of high school is more likely to have reduced earning power, greater social service dependency, increased rates of criminal involvement, and shorter life expectancy. Phoenix Charter Academies addresses this trend by creating environments where students can demonstrate their talent and and prepare themselves for success through high school, college, and beyond.
Commitment to DEI
At Phoenix, we recognize the importance of forming a school community inclusive of all visible and invisible identities. We act to ensure that our students and staff always see reflections of themselves and their communities.
At Phoenix, we aim to break down systemic barriers by providing access to resources, experiences, and differentiated supports for historically marginalized groups.
At Phoenix, we solicit, value, understand, connect, and leverage multiple perspectives and experiences. We invite all perspectives except those that perpetuate oppression or dehumanization.
At Phoenix we do not just accept differences - we celebrate it, support it, and thrive on it for the benefit of our scholars and the communities we serve. We believe difference makes us stronger. Phoenix Charter Academy is an equal opportunity employer and as such, we do not discriminate against any team member or candidate because of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. Phoenix Charter Academy is committed to making any reasonable accommodation necessary to support an individual's employment.
Qualities of Phoenix staff member:
Unwavering belief in our students -
Phoenix staff operate with the deeply held belief that all young people want to and can succeed even in the face of substantial systemic barriers and societal constraints. Continuous Improvement -
Phoenix staff approach problem solving with curiosity and desire to understand the perspectives of others. They carry an internalized sense of “I can always learn more” and know that adults at Phoenix must model the qualities of being open-minded and willing to make mistakes and learn from them. Phoenix staff members embody “lifelong learner” mindsets and strive for constant improvement. Eager to Learn -
Phoenix staff must be able to learn as they go in a fast paced, ever evolving, urgent environment. They have the desire to receive direct feedback and the ability to implement the feedback into practice quickly. Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion -
Phoenix staff commit to understanding the ways that their self-identity and experiences impact and interact with their daily work, their colleagues, and their students, and work toward furthering initiatives that promote a more equitable society. The Opportunity
The Director of Curriculum and Instruction (DCI) serves as a key instructional leader, shaping and sustaining a rigorous, student-centered academic program that advances Phoenix Charter Academy’s mission of building a more just and equitable society. Reporting directly to the Head of School, the DCI provides vision, strategic direction, and hands‑on leadership in curriculum design, instructional practice, assessment, and professional learning. This role is central to ensuring that every scholar experiences high-quality, culturally responsive instruction and meaningful opportunities for growth. The DCI leads professional development, oversees teacher observation and feedback systems, and strengthens the school’s use of data to drive student achievement. Bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Your Contribution
In addition to embodying the qualities and commitments of a Phoenix staff member, the Director of Curriculum and Instruction will lead the following areas of impact: Curriculum, Teacher Development, and Instructional Leadership Serve as a strong and visible voice for instructional excellence and equity. Conduct approximately 12 classroom observations per week, providing timely, actionable feedback to each teacher. Support and guide supervisors in cultivating scholarly habits across all content areas. Participate in all formal observations and teacher evaluation processes. Foster the growth of innovative, student-centered instructional practices that honor scholars’ diverse strengths and experiences. Ensure that student skills are clearly defined, consistently tracked, and meaningfully assessed. Model lessons and guest teach as needed to demonstrate best practices. In partnership with the Head of School and network staff, develop and implement the annual Professional Development and Teacher Institute calendars. Strengthen Phoenix’s data-driven culture by ensuring staff actively collect, analyze, and respond to data, including: Data cycles MCAS performance (Fellowship and teachers) Student Support Team data Correlative data across academic and student support systems Oversee the school’s data-cycle process, including one-on-one action-planning meetings and related professional development sessions. Identify creative and meaningful ways to celebrate student academic growth and achievement. Non-curricular Responsibilities: Model the expectations outlined in the student and staff handbook, upholding professionalism and healthy, supportive student relationships at all times. Serve as a member of the Student Support Team when appropriate. Identify and address gaps in communication between instructional staff and the Student Support Team, partnering with the Director of School Culture to strengthen collaboration. Attend Student Support Team and IEP meetings as needed, serving as the instructional leader of the school. Represent the Head of School at meetings, workshops, and professional convenings, particularly those related to DESE mandates. Develop deep knowledge of: The CPR review process Best practices from high-accountability charter schools and alternative school models Restorative justice practices in schools Social-emotional learning and “soft skills” development Meet weekly with the Head of School for supervision and strategic planning. Communicate proactively and compassionately with families and adult supporters via phone, email, and in-person meetings. Build meaningful, supportive relationships with students to promote academic growth, confidence, and long-term success. Through strong instructional leadership, collaborative partnership, and a deep commitment to equity, the Director of Curriculum and Instruction plays a vital role in ensuring that every Phoenix scholar is seen, supported, and empowered to thrive. Qualifications & Competencies Bilingual/Spanish-speaking candidates are highly encouraged to apply. Communication - Conveys information effectively and efficiently using verbal, non-verbal, and written communication skills; has knowledge and flexibility to communicate across lines of difference. Scholar Orientation - Works to deepen understanding of scholars and centers the needs of scholars in all aspects of how the work is done. Adaptability - Adjusts and strategically aligns work to the school's mission while navigating complex and changing environments internally and externally. Employment is based on qualifications for the role as well as a successful background check. We commit to providing a supportive environment and giving the professional development, coaching, and resources needed to be successful We commit to creating an open and tolerant culture that embraces diversity and fosters equity and inclusion through affinity groups and continuous capacity building supported by our Racial, Justice and Equity working group The Network retains the right to modify this job description at any time, for any reason, at the Network’s sole discretion
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Phoenix staff operate with the deeply held belief that all young people want to and can succeed even in the face of substantial systemic barriers and societal constraints. Continuous Improvement -
Phoenix staff approach problem solving with curiosity and desire to understand the perspectives of others. They carry an internalized sense of “I can always learn more” and know that adults at Phoenix must model the qualities of being open-minded and willing to make mistakes and learn from them. Phoenix staff members embody “lifelong learner” mindsets and strive for constant improvement. Eager to Learn -
Phoenix staff must be able to learn as they go in a fast paced, ever evolving, urgent environment. They have the desire to receive direct feedback and the ability to implement the feedback into practice quickly. Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion -
Phoenix staff commit to understanding the ways that their self-identity and experiences impact and interact with their daily work, their colleagues, and their students, and work toward furthering initiatives that promote a more equitable society. The Opportunity
The Director of Curriculum and Instruction (DCI) serves as a key instructional leader, shaping and sustaining a rigorous, student-centered academic program that advances Phoenix Charter Academy’s mission of building a more just and equitable society. Reporting directly to the Head of School, the DCI provides vision, strategic direction, and hands‑on leadership in curriculum design, instructional practice, assessment, and professional learning. This role is central to ensuring that every scholar experiences high-quality, culturally responsive instruction and meaningful opportunities for growth. The DCI leads professional development, oversees teacher observation and feedback systems, and strengthens the school’s use of data to drive student achievement. Bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Your Contribution
In addition to embodying the qualities and commitments of a Phoenix staff member, the Director of Curriculum and Instruction will lead the following areas of impact: Curriculum, Teacher Development, and Instructional Leadership Serve as a strong and visible voice for instructional excellence and equity. Conduct approximately 12 classroom observations per week, providing timely, actionable feedback to each teacher. Support and guide supervisors in cultivating scholarly habits across all content areas. Participate in all formal observations and teacher evaluation processes. Foster the growth of innovative, student-centered instructional practices that honor scholars’ diverse strengths and experiences. Ensure that student skills are clearly defined, consistently tracked, and meaningfully assessed. Model lessons and guest teach as needed to demonstrate best practices. In partnership with the Head of School and network staff, develop and implement the annual Professional Development and Teacher Institute calendars. Strengthen Phoenix’s data-driven culture by ensuring staff actively collect, analyze, and respond to data, including: Data cycles MCAS performance (Fellowship and teachers) Student Support Team data Correlative data across academic and student support systems Oversee the school’s data-cycle process, including one-on-one action-planning meetings and related professional development sessions. Identify creative and meaningful ways to celebrate student academic growth and achievement. Non-curricular Responsibilities: Model the expectations outlined in the student and staff handbook, upholding professionalism and healthy, supportive student relationships at all times. Serve as a member of the Student Support Team when appropriate. Identify and address gaps in communication between instructional staff and the Student Support Team, partnering with the Director of School Culture to strengthen collaboration. Attend Student Support Team and IEP meetings as needed, serving as the instructional leader of the school. Represent the Head of School at meetings, workshops, and professional convenings, particularly those related to DESE mandates. Develop deep knowledge of: The CPR review process Best practices from high-accountability charter schools and alternative school models Restorative justice practices in schools Social-emotional learning and “soft skills” development Meet weekly with the Head of School for supervision and strategic planning. Communicate proactively and compassionately with families and adult supporters via phone, email, and in-person meetings. Build meaningful, supportive relationships with students to promote academic growth, confidence, and long-term success. Through strong instructional leadership, collaborative partnership, and a deep commitment to equity, the Director of Curriculum and Instruction plays a vital role in ensuring that every Phoenix scholar is seen, supported, and empowered to thrive. Qualifications & Competencies Bilingual/Spanish-speaking candidates are highly encouraged to apply. Communication - Conveys information effectively and efficiently using verbal, non-verbal, and written communication skills; has knowledge and flexibility to communicate across lines of difference. Scholar Orientation - Works to deepen understanding of scholars and centers the needs of scholars in all aspects of how the work is done. Adaptability - Adjusts and strategically aligns work to the school's mission while navigating complex and changing environments internally and externally. Employment is based on qualifications for the role as well as a successful background check. We commit to providing a supportive environment and giving the professional development, coaching, and resources needed to be successful We commit to creating an open and tolerant culture that embraces diversity and fosters equity and inclusion through affinity groups and continuous capacity building supported by our Racial, Justice and Equity working group The Network retains the right to modify this job description at any time, for any reason, at the Network’s sole discretion
#J-18808-Ljbffr