Position Summary:
The Instructional Director for Charter Schools serves as the principal supervisor, instructional leadership coach, and charter operator support for authorized charter schools. The incumbent of this position also serves as the chief advocate for charters in the district’s portfolio, representing the charter authorizer's ideals and accountability expectations. Further, the Instructional Director provides the critical bridge between research-based instructional standards, district offices, and the unique autonomy of charter operators. The primary goal is to drive student achievement by rigorously coaching school leaders and ensuring charter board governance, charter fidelity, fiscal compliance, and high-quality classroom instruction. The incumbent will monitor charter school educational performance, school culture and climate, organizational performance and financial performance.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Serves as the direct supervisor for charter school principals/school leaders; administers formal performance evaluations for school leaders using the district’s and state’s standards, with consideration to the approved charter operator’s mission, vision, and values;
- Serves as the district's lead charter authorizing representative responsible for ensuring charter schools meet the academic, operational, governance, and fiscal performance expectations established by the Board of Education, Maryland law, and charter agreements;
- Develops and manages a district-wide charter school performance portfolio; analyzes charter portfolio trends, enrollment patterns, fiscal sustainability, and academic outcomes to inform strategic recommendations; leads annual portfolio reviews and presents findings to executive leadership;
- Leads the Charter Review Team in evaluating school performance for contract renewals, focusing heavily on academic growth as a condition of continued operation;
- Serves as the district’s liaison to charter operators and their Boards of Directors, ensuring they understand their role in supporting principals/school leaders in actualizing their instructional mission;
- Provides guidance and accountability monitoring to charter boards regarding governance practices, fiduciary responsibilities, policy compliance, and alignment to charter agreements;
- Assists principals and school teams with the development, implementation, and monitoring of school improvement plans; ensures that there is coherence with the strategic plan, school plan, student learning objectives, and performance goals;
- Establishes an action plan and utilizes coaching techniques to guide principals in the continuous improvement process and facilitate a structure for reflective practice;
- Collaborates with departments to provide the appropriate system resources that address the needs of schools;
- Responds to parent/community concerns and directs these concerns to appropriate offices; and
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Thorough knowledge of the Public School Laws of Maryland, the bylaws of the State Board of Education, and the policies of the Board of Education of Prince George's County; thorough understanding of curriculum and instruction and other pupil related services;
- Deep understanding of MD Education Article § 9-101 (Charter School Law) and the balance of school-level autonomy;
- Knowledge of charter authorization and renewal, and analyzing financial and operational performance;
- Demonstrated oral and written communication skills, as well as problem solving and consensus-building expertise; ability to present to boards/governing bodies;
- Knowledge of performance management systems and school improvement planning;
- Knowledge of federal accountability systems;
- Ability to use computer technology in an administrative and educational setting; and
- Excellent organizational ability and good human relation skills.
Education and/or Experience Requirements:
Master's degree from an accredited college or university in educational administration, education, curriculum development, or a closely related field required; Doctorate preferred. A minimum of three (3) years of successful charter school principal experience required.
Certification:
Holds or is eligible for a valid professional license in Administrator II (historical) or Supervisor of Instruction, Assistant Principal, or Principal issued by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE); Superintendent’s endorsement preferred.
Must complete Framework for Teaching (FfT) certification within six months of assuming the role.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Oversees and provides guidance to assigned personnel.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, sit, and use fingers, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, the ability to adjust focus, and depth perception. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 25 lbs.
Working Environment:
The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.
Additional Information:
None.
