The School District of Philadelphia (SDP) is the eighth-largest school district in the nation, serving a historic and culturally vibrant community. We are a community of 19,000 dedicated employees working together with parents, families, volunteers, and community members to support the limitless potential of more than 203,000 young scholars. We are committed to educating and graduating generations of thought leaders, entrepreneurs, artists, government officials and change makers. Our goal is simple; to become the fastest-improving district in the country. Our mission is to deliver on the civil right of every child in Philadelphia to an excellent public school education and ensure that all children graduate from high school ready to succeed, fully engaged as a citizen of our world. To meet our mission, we seek leaders who have a passion for working with schools and communities dedicated to ensuring all students achieve. Serving a population as diverse as ours requires creativity, commitment, and vision. Will you join us?

Job Summary

Reporting to the Deputy Superintendent of Academics, the Chief of Curriculum & Instruction provides leadership on the overall instructional programming for the School District of Philadelphia to ensure the existence of high-quality instructional and learning materials designed to foster the success, growth, and development of the diverse cultural and learning needs of all students. This Chief is responsible for the effective and efficient operation of the Curriculum and Instruction department including curriculum development and implementation of sound instructional strategy across our full spectrum of schools. The Chief of Curriculum & Instruction provides leadership on the instructional delivery and enhancement of the curriculum, ensuring that the programs reflect best practices in education, and translating the District’s educational philosophy, goals, and objectives into active terms that directly benefit students. Additionally, this Chief is charged to ensure that educators across all schools have access to materials that ensure the optimal teaching and learning experiences for our students.

Essential Responsibilities & Functions

Strategic Curriculum & Instruction Leadership

• Directs a district-wide program of curriculum and instructional planning, review, articulation, development, and evaluation in order to meet students’ needs and achieve the District’s Goals and Guardrails.
• Develop systematic approaches to improve teaching and learning to determine the most effective means of increasing student achievement for every student in a safe learning environment.
• Oversees the purchase of all curriculum and instructional materials to ensure alignment with District vision and goals for all students based on input gathered through a collaborative process involving diverse stakeholders
• Represents the Superintendent and other District leadership during public presentations, speaking engagements, or other activities associated with District business, as requested; facilitates forums and other public meetings.

Program Design and Effectiveness

• Applies research and data to improve the content, sequence, and outcomes of the teaching-learning process.
• Works with appropriate staff to develop, maintain, and revise curriculum documents based on systematic review and analysis
• Coordinates a system of instructional support for all school staff by identifying areas of need, and providing access to services and information that emphasize prevention and positive interventions.
• Works with leadership across Academic Services to collect, analyze and use student data to assess instruction and school progress.
• Lead the implementation and change management with key leaders, stakeholders, and district partners

• Coordinates with other Chiefs to ensure the delivery of high-quality professional development opportunities for schools, principals, and other staff in the area of curriculum & instruction and postsecondary readiness.
• Plans implements, and evaluates instructional programs with stakeholders including teachers and principals.
• Collaborates with Assistant Superintendents to ensure that academic programs are in place to maximize student learning and growth.
• Communicates and shares the vision and goals of the District; rallies support for the vision and monitors the implementation of system-wide initiatives in schools; assists where implementation is not effective.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with key stakeholders within and without the District including leaders and organizations in the civic, religious, political, philanthropic, business, and non-profit sectors to create trust and solidify a strong foundation to advocate for School District priorities.
• Ensures uniformity relative to the implementation of instructional initiatives across all schools.
• Oversees the implementation of District policies and procedures; disseminates policy and information to all stakeholders in the District; distributes policies and procedures which affect students and employees; assists administrators and other staff on the implementation and interpretation of policy.

Team Leadership

• Provides appropriate supervision, mentoring, and professional growth and development to assigned staff; develops and implements professional growth plans to include keeping abreast of current developments, literature and technical resources of information.
• Ensures direct reports and departments within their purview provide excellent customer service to schools, parents, and the community.
• Manages targeted, high-priority strategic projects on behalf of the Superintendent.
• Meets major projects and initiatives on time and within budget
• Directs the curriculum and instruction staff in designing, implementing, and maintaining a high-quality, culturally-responsive instructional improvement program recognizing the importance of providing support for school programs and activities
• Develops project plans, work breakdown structures, and schedules required to successfully complete projects on time and within budget constraints.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following:

Exceptional Communication

• Connects authentically, purposefully, and thoughtfully with diverse stakeholders in the spirit of inclusivity and equity. Communicates with clarity, respect, and awareness in conversations and interactions with others.
• Embraces opportunities to push a group’s thinking and challenge ideas to enable better decisions.
• Listens intently and actively to stakeholders; understands nuance, and skillfully interprets motivations and perceptions.

Organizational & Team Leadership

• Fosters a culture of high expectations with shared strategic goals around measurable outcomes and continuous improvement
• Prepares the team for effective decision-making conversations, anticipating and organizing key questions and data that support productive discussions about priorities.
• Builds coalitions and works collaboratively with diverse stakeholders at all levels, including district personnel, students, families, community and political leaders, and advocacy groups.
• Ensures targeted, differentiated professional development is delivered to members of the curriculum team.

Advancement of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

• Holds self and team accountable for extraordinary academic achievement of all students.
• Acknowledges systemic racism, power, and privilege in organizations and commits to dismantling inequities.
• Fosters a culture of inclusion by building relationships across lines of difference and including the voices of those closest to the challenge we seek to address.
• Fosters and promotes inclusion across the district and community.
• Collaborates with district leaders to develop and implement DEI performance indicators as a key aspect of assessing organizational health.
• Demonstrates skill, respect, and honesty in addressing matters of equity, race, and bias in talent decision-making.

Curriculum & Instruction Expertise & Effective Execution of Strategy

• Demonstrates excellent execution and leadership skills, including acute attention to detail; the ability to balance overarching district goals with detailed steps to achieve academic objectives.
• Develops innovative solutions to seemingly intractable problems.
• Leads from the perspective of a service provider, policy advisor, thought partner, and capacity-builder for school leaders.

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree in education or a related field from an accredited college or university.
• Ten years of full-time, paid, professional experience in education, at least five of which have been in an administrative or supervisory capacity and have included responsibility for the development and implementation of program policies and procedures.
• Possession of a valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Superintendent’s Letter of Eligibility.

Compensation

The salary for this position is competitive commensurate with prior experience. In addition, a comprehensive benefits package is included.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Nondiscrimination

The School District of Philadelphia provides to all persons equal access to all categories of employment in this District, regardless of race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, disability, gender identity, or genetic information.