Academic Director 

Job Description Updated 05/17/2023

This position is responsible for providing the support and guidance necessary to deliver high quality curricular materials and instruction across the secondary (6-12) domains, manage professional development across the Network, and lead instructional teams and programs. They will oversee the evaluation of curriculum materials, technology integration, campus academic data and progress, and Tier I instructional decisions.

The Executive Director will assess the effectiveness of the Director of Instruction and Secondary Education annually with respect to the performance of specific responsibilities and in accordance with state and school board policies.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Oversees the development and maintenance of the total system-wide instructional programs, K-12;
2. Plans and directs curriculum improvement activities, pilot programs, and special projects at the system-wide level;
3. Provides assistance to and coordinates activities with instructional supervisors;
4. Assists principals, curriculum coordinators and other certification personnel in developing instructional programs consistent with system goals and objectives;
5. Oversees evaluative procedures for instructional programs, K-12;
6. Makes monthly status reports of all programs related to curriculum and instruction to the School Leaders
7. Makes budgetary recommendations to the Director for instructional services;
8. Assists in planning and coordinating state federal projects relating to the instructional program;
9. Coordinates the development of curriculum guidelines and other related materials for K-12;
10. Coordinates summer curriculum development activities with K-12 instructional supervisors;
11. Coordinates with the Director of Schools for a smooth transition of elementary, secondary, vocational, and special education curriculum;
12. Assists in the communication link among local school personnel, the CORE office, school board, state department, all schools, county government, and the general public;
13. Disseminates rules, regulations, and curriculum changes being planned and/or implemented, K-12;
14. Oversees and evaluates the integration of technology as a tool for instruction and learning in all schools, K-12;
15. Ensuring academic data is effectively utilized to inform instructional decisions
16. Help setting campus academic goals and monitor progress
17. Plan and assist in the delivery of school systems’ professional development activities
18. Participate in and assist curriculum and data meetings
19. Serve as a liaison between Executive Director and campuses
20. Prepare and present reports when needed such as Board of Directors meetings
21. Assist direct reports in creating annual progress monitoring goals
22. Work with Instructional Coaches and Deans of Academics individually, in collaborative teams, and/or departments, provide practical support on a full range of instructional strategies
23. Coordinate and report the usage of academic software programs such as Accelerated Reader (AR), Accelerated Math (AM), Moby Max, etc.
24. Monitor and report the academic competitions on campuses
25. Assist with development and implementation of the master schedule and student schedules
26. Assist with evaluation of instructional staff
27. Assist in the selection of school personnel
28. Exhibit a high degree of professionalism in all elements of this position, while serving as a contributing member of the Memphis Shelby County School District and community and a dedicated role model for other employees.
29. Performs other duties as assigned
30. Collaborate heavily with the Director of Special Programs and Elementary Education to ensure continuity from K-12
31. Duties and responsibilities may be reviewed and amended as necessary according to Network needs

PERFORMANCE APTITUDES:

• Data Utilization: Requires the ability to review, classify, categorize, prioritize, and/or analyze data. Includes exercising discretion in determining data classification, and in referencing such analysis to established standards for the purpose of recognizing actual or probable interactive effects and relationships.
• Human Interaction: Requires the ability to provide guidance, effective supervision, assistance, and/or interpretation to others regarding the application of procedures and standards to specific situations.
• Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.
• Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and/or advisory data, and information.
• Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; and the ability to interpret graphs.
• Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of rational systems, philosophies, laws, regulations, and procedures; to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form; and to exercise independent judgment to adopt or modify methods and standards to meet variations in assigned objectives.
• Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria and the goals and priorities of planning and development programs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Requires a Bachelor's degree.
• A Master's degree in Education is preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years teaching experience is preferred
• Minimum of two years administrative experience
• TN ILL Administrator licensure is preferred (or other states’ similar certification)
• Governed by the Rules and Regulations of the Tennessee Code Annotated and the Tennessee Board of Education
• Must be physically and mentally able to perform the responsibilities and duties of the position 

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Light Work: may require occasional light lifting
• Nights and weekend activities will be occasionally required
• The position is in the office setting and may involve prolonged work at a desk in one location
• Moderate travel is required