Director of Culture, Climate, and Belonging
Apply NowCompany: Little Rock School District
Location: Little Rock, AR 72204
Description:
JOB GOAL:
The Little Rock School District is committed to fostering a culture where every student and staff member feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. The Director of Climate, Culture, and Belonging will lead initiatives that foster an inclusive and supportive school environment for students, educators, and staff. This role will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies that enhance student and staff engagement, promote inclusion, and build a culture where all individuals feel valued and empowered. The focus for the Director intentionally includes students and adults as data shows increasingly poor well-being reported by adults in schools than in other professions. Poor well being and adverse working conditions are associated with teachers' and principals' intentions to leave their jobs, while supportive school environments were linked to better well-being and a decreased likelihood of intentions to leave. Addressing the working conditions linked to poor well-being could improve educator retention. (Steiner, SyDoan, Gittens, Lawrence, Berdie, Wolfe, Greer, & Schwartz, 2022)
It is the goal of the Little Rock School District to promote a culture of well-being to ensure students and employees feel appreciated and supported. The Director will collaborate with district leadership, school administrators, and key stakeholders to shape policies, programs, and initiatives that support a strong sense of belonging across the school district. This will have positive measurable outcomes on staff and student attendance, recruitment/retention of students and staff, and positively impact student achievement.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:
12-month contract (245 days) Plus Benefits Package NOTE: Precise placement on the salary schedule will be based on experience. Salary Schedule: Range 125: $74,345 - $129,175
Work Days/Work Hours: 5 days/8 hours
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
A Master's Degree or higher with a major in Educational Administration/Leadership (or a related area) from an accredited institution A valid Arkansas educator license and ability to pass all background checks At least three (3) years of successful teaching experience Successful school or district leadership experience required Proven track record in developing and executing school and district climate, culture, and belonging initiatives Must satisfy all state-required background checks. Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels, including students, educators, administrators, and parents. Experience designing and facilitating professional learning, including evidence of positive feedback from participants Proficiency in data analysis to assess program effectiveness and inform strategic decision-making Exceptional communication and problem-solving skills, with a high level of cultural competency. Familiarity with legal and compliance considerations related to local, state, and federal laws/policies.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. The statements below are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed in this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.
Affirm students' and staff humanity: their culture, histories, interests, concerns, intellectual potential, and sense of purpose. Create challenging learning environments that support not only the development of intellectual skills and traits (e.g., autonomy, curiosity, academic tenacity, and reflection) but also social and emotional ones (e.g., self-regulation) that are essential to the development of the whole child, including identity and purpose development, social awareness and relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Develop and implement a needs assessment leading to initiatives that promote a positive school climate and a culture of belonging, inclusion, and psychological safety for students, teachers, and staff. Assist with coordination of mental health and well-being multi-tiered systems of support for students and staff Partner with HR, school administrators, and leadership to integrate inclusive practices into recruitment, retention, and professional development strategies for educators and staff. Design, coordinate, and facilitate professional learning for cultural competency, bias awareness, restorative justice, inclusive teaching practices, and staff well-being. Assist with coordination of learning sessions focused on well-being and resilience for parent and community stakeholder groups Establish metrics and evaluation frameworks to assess the impact of climate and belonging initiatives and provide data-driven recommendations for continuous improvement. Serve as an advisor to district leadership on fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment. Collaborate with student groups, parent organizations, teacher committees, and various leadership groups to support initiatives that amplify diverse voices within the district. Lead conflict resolution strategies and provide guidance on addressing cultural and climate-related challenges within schools. Research and stay current on best practices in school climate and staff culture, student engagement, and cultural inclusivity, integrating innovative approaches into district strategies. Act as a champion for student and staff engagement by driving initiatives that promote collaboration, communication, and a sense of community and belonging. Ensure alignment of district policies, curriculum, and practices with a commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive school environment for students and staff.
Such alternatives and additions to the above qualifications may be deemed appropriate by the Superintendent. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may require.
Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbent will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Mental Functions, Physical Requirements, and Working Conditions:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, go up and down stairs, operate foot and hand controls, use a telephone and write. Occasionally the employee must lift and/or move up to twenty (20) or more pounds. This position requires accurate perceiving of sound, near and far vision, depth perception, handling and working with educational materials and/or objects, and providing oral information. Must have the ability to work for the duration of the daily contracted time period, and to be physically present and at assigned work, with only infrequent unexcused absences, during the contract year. Additional technical skills, knowledge, and abilities may be recommended by the immediate supervisor and approved by Human Resources Personnel
The Little Rock School District is committed to fostering a culture where every student and staff member feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. The Director of Climate, Culture, and Belonging will lead initiatives that foster an inclusive and supportive school environment for students, educators, and staff. This role will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies that enhance student and staff engagement, promote inclusion, and build a culture where all individuals feel valued and empowered. The focus for the Director intentionally includes students and adults as data shows increasingly poor well-being reported by adults in schools than in other professions. Poor well being and adverse working conditions are associated with teachers' and principals' intentions to leave their jobs, while supportive school environments were linked to better well-being and a decreased likelihood of intentions to leave. Addressing the working conditions linked to poor well-being could improve educator retention. (Steiner, SyDoan, Gittens, Lawrence, Berdie, Wolfe, Greer, & Schwartz, 2022)
It is the goal of the Little Rock School District to promote a culture of well-being to ensure students and employees feel appreciated and supported. The Director will collaborate with district leadership, school administrators, and key stakeholders to shape policies, programs, and initiatives that support a strong sense of belonging across the school district. This will have positive measurable outcomes on staff and student attendance, recruitment/retention of students and staff, and positively impact student achievement.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:
12-month contract (245 days) Plus Benefits Package NOTE: Precise placement on the salary schedule will be based on experience. Salary Schedule: Range 125: $74,345 - $129,175
Work Days/Work Hours: 5 days/8 hours
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. The statements below are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed in this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.
Such alternatives and additions to the above qualifications may be deemed appropriate by the Superintendent. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may require.
Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbent will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Mental Functions, Physical Requirements, and Working Conditions:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, go up and down stairs, operate foot and hand controls, use a telephone and write. Occasionally the employee must lift and/or move up to twenty (20) or more pounds. This position requires accurate perceiving of sound, near and far vision, depth perception, handling and working with educational materials and/or objects, and providing oral information. Must have the ability to work for the duration of the daily contracted time period, and to be physically present and at assigned work, with only infrequent unexcused absences, during the contract year. Additional technical skills, knowledge, and abilities may be recommended by the immediate supervisor and approved by Human Resources Personnel