Director of Social Studies and Science

Position Type:
Administration/Director

Date Posted:
6/25/2024

Location:
Central Office

Date Available:
ASAP2024-2025 School Year
Director of Social Studies and Science

Position definition: The Director of Social Studies and Science is responsible for the development, review, and alignment of Pre-K through 12 curriculum and instruction in the area of Social Studies and Science. The Director of Social Studies and Science provides educational guidance, support, coaching, and leadership to administrators and teachers to ensure the District's educational goals are being met. The Director of Social Studies and Science may not participate in the evaluation of teachers, but may be asked to participate in the evaluation of administrators. The director will work in collaboration with other district directors and coordinators, central office and school administrators, and staff for the purpose of providing district level support in the areas associated with curriculum, instruction and professional development.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Explicitly models, through communication and actions, the core values and beliefs in the district's goals and mission.
• Provide curriculum leadership for alignment to national, state, and District standards (where available), for sequencing a development, rigorous flow of content in the division, and for ensuring that all department members understand and adhere to the approved curriculum.
• Maintain a current and detailed understanding of all state laws and curriculum requirements, and ensure that the D300 Social Studies and Science programs are in alignment with all applicable laws, regulations, and requirements.
• Use the District's online curriculum management system to maintain and update curriculum documents and instructional unit plans.
• Ensure curriculum and instructional articulation between grade levels.
• Collect and use data to guide instruction and programming within the division.
• Support District efforts in diversity, equity, and inclusion through professional actions and departmental offerings.
• Monitor fidelity of implementation of all District supported programs within the division.
• Develop department goals that are tied to the District Strategic Plan; execute action steps to actualize the strategic plan goals.
• In consultation with the Director of Professional Development, prepare a professional development plan for the division and provide accountability and supervision during professional development times.
• In consultation with the Director for Data, Assessment, and Accountability, prepare and implement an assessment plan for the division to include formative assessments, summative assessments, and district common assessments where applicable.
• In collaboration with the Director for Data, Assessment, and Accountability provide district level and school-level direction for implementation of all local and state assessments.
• Oversee and coordinate district summer STEM programming
• Under the direction of the Deputy Superintendent or designee, coordinate instructional materials adoptions and ensure the adoption cycle is implemented.
• Oversee physical/digital textbooks and instructional materials in the division area.
• Disseminate division information to ensure consistent communication between buildings and grade levels.
• Work with and provide leaders and support to high school Social Studies and Science Division Heads and secondary Social Studies and Science department representatives.
• Actively participate in Academic Team meetings and relevant committees as directed.
• Collaborate with members of the Academic Team.
• Annually update the high school course selection guide and department flowcharts.
• In collaboration with the Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools ensure NCAA Clearinghouse is updated each semester for division areas.
• Provide guidance (as needed) to principals and building administrators on best practices in teacher evaluation for the teaching area(s) that fall under this role.
• Attend or chair various meetings outside of the District; represent the District in collaborative partnerships, task forces, committees, businesses, and human service agencies.
• Develop and oversee the District budget for this division and research grant opportunities.
• Attain personal proficiency in District-supported technology platforms, applications, and tools including the LMS and productivity tools.
• Participate in some evening and weekend events.
• Serves as a member of the Academic Team and Superintendent Cabinet.
• Attends School Board meetings.
• Supervise evening and weekend events as needed; participate in district level events as appropriate
• Other duties as assigned

Additional Duties

Disclaimer: The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Performance Evaluation/Accountability:

Performance evaluated annually in accordance with Illinois School Code and D300 Administrative Procedures

Education/Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Education, Education Administration, or a related field.
• Valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with General Administrator Endorsement
• Minimum of five years of teaching experience
• Previous administrative experience (preferred)

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of evidence-based pedagogy and innovative instructional models.
• Knowledge of School Code requirements
• Knowledge of instructional coaching tenets
• Knowledge of Professional Learning Communities
• Knowledge of the Danielson Framework for Teaching
• Knowledge of the continuous improvement processes
• Knowledge of all applicable Federal and State education requirements

Abilities:

• Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of individuals.
• Ability to effectively lead/facilitate group processes.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with administrators, faculty, staff, and external entities to raise instructional and academic performance.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-performing, and at times, unpredictable environment.
• Ability to take the initiative to resolve problems with little direction
• Ability to effectively lead a group of people
• Ability to implement instructional policies and programs.
• Ability to assess the effectiveness of programs and activities.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Ability to seek and implement constructive feedback
• Ability to maintain complete and accurate records and statistics and to develop meaningful reports from them.
• Ability to process large amounts of information and organize the information to present it to various individuals who do not possess firsthand knowledge of the situation
• Ability to work well with other people in a team oriented environment
• Ability to analyze and interpret data for decision making
• Ability to review and analyze assessment data collected by the District and Illinois State Board of Education
• Ability to make tough decisions and support principals in making tough decisions
• Ability to use effective instructional strategies and techniques.
• Ability to develop and provide professional development related to effective practices in all school settings

Skills:

• Possess excellent leadership skills
• Possess enthusiasm and positive interpersonal skills.
• Possess excellent organization and documentation skills
• Possess excellent organizational and communication skills, both written and verbal
• Possess practical problem solving skills and solid troubleshooting skills
• Demonstrate ability to effectively and efficiently utilize technology
• Demonstrate strong work ethic, accept responsibility, and the ability to be self-motivated
• Exhibits self-motivation and ability to work with minimal supervision; Possess a desire to learn new things
• Possess a growth mindset

Salary and Benefits:

• 261 days, including paid legal holidays
• 25 vacation days
• 12 sick days
• 2 personal days
• Monthly mileage stipend of $225
• Medical, dental, optical insurance-employee choice of high deductible PPO/HSA, PPO or HMO
• Life insurance
• Doctoral tuition reimbursement
• Salary Range: $123,299 - $133,461

Position Reports To:

Superintendent or Designee

Application Procedure:

In order to be considered for this position a candidate must complete the entire online application.

Please Submit Supporting documents online:
Resume transcripts (copies acceptable)
Three current letters of recommendation
Proof of Illinois Professional Educator License with General Administrative Endorsement

Selection Procedure:

Applicants will be reviewed by district administrators.

District 300 is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Disclaimer: The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Attachment(s):

• Director of SS & Science.pdf