Interim Academic Program Manager of Black Scholar Services and Ethnic Studies/Social Science Implementation
Description
Interim opportunity for school year 2025-2026
ABOUT ASPIRE
Aspire Public Schools operates a network of high-performing, college preparatory charter schools serving TK-12 scholars in communities across California. Founded in 1998—in an effort to transform the inequitable racial, social, and gender outcomes that our communities persist through—Aspire is one of the largest and most forward-thinking open-enrollment public charter school systems in the nation.
Our purpose is to prepare our scholars for success in college, career, and life. At Aspire, we set a foundation for our scholars to gain knowledge, skills, and power to access and make choices for their families and post-secondary lives. Every day, our community of students, families, teachers and staff comes together to learn, work, and play in an environment grounded in our values of Bienestar (Well-Being), Culture of Belonging, Community Partnership, Agency & Self-Determination, and Joy.
JOB SUMMARY
In service of supporting all schools in the region to achieve their academic and culture targets for Black scholars, the Academic Program Manager of Black Scholar Services and Ethnic Studies/Social Science Implementation will be responsible for developing & executing a plan for Pro-Black programming work, PD and coaching for teachers, supporting the recruitment and retention of Black scholars, collaboratively designs and facilitates Black family engagement, and supports with the development of the regional Ethnic Studies/Social Science programming. Reporting to the Executive Director and/or the Superintendent of Equitable Instruction, and in close collaboration with the Aspire Education Team, this impactful role also supports the development of high-quality org-wide pedagogy and instructional practices as aligned to the Aspire Student Learning Framework( ASLF) . Will need to be familiar with Pro-Black Programming work to ensure that we meet our goals to increase achievement and belonging for these scholars. In addition to these responsibilities, this individual will be a contributing member of the Black Leadership Advocacy Council (BLAC).
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Spends approximately 50% of time supporting the region through delivery of PDs and on-the-ground coaching and support to school site staff members to improve the educational experiences of Black scholars and families.
- Coaching work supports org-wide coherence through reference to ASLF, use of approved instructional tools, and culturally-responsive teaching practices (Instructional guidelines, pacing guides, etc.).
- In alignment with Aspire’s equity beliefs, works with the Executive Director and/or Superintendent of Equitable Instruction to provide additional resources and or support to schools as assigned.
- Analyzes and investigates Black student site-level data in multiple content areas to identify region-wide goals and trends. In collaboration with the Executive Director and/or Superintendent of Equitable Instruction, co-creates region-wide action plans to address gaps, creating opportunities to implement pedagogy and curriculum that reflect data-supported best practices from inside and outside of the organization, in support of an Aspire-wide and regional priorities and initiatives.
- Builds capacity by training strong teachers to provide impactful instruction.
- 25% of time is dedicated to working directly with students and families.
- Support and lead Pro-Black Program Site Coordinators meetings on a reoccurring basis
- Meet directly with students in various spaces to understand their experiences
- Support with the development of Black Family Groups across the region
- Support with the establishment of BSUs across the regions
- 25% of time is dedicated to org-wide R&D on culturally-responsive pedagogy, curriculum development, and aligned to a robust TK-12 Ethnic Studies/Social Science programming.
- Pedagogy and curriculum reflect data-supported best practices from both inside and outside of the organization.
- Identifies opportunities to improve curricular offerings across the org to improve efficiency, achieve cost savings, and reduce reliance on content that is not standards-aligned
- Is a collaborative member of the Aspire-wide Instruction Team and works on org-wide initiatives and priorities (as needed).
- Demonstrate knowledge of, and support, the Aspire Public Schools mission, vision, value statements including antiracism, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior
- Actively seeks to improve and simplify Aspire’s approach to particular job functions
- Comfortable with the utilization of technology in a remote environment
- Perform other related duties as required and assigned.
Competencies - Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Demonstrated success of actively engaging Black families and scholars in educational experiences
- Demonstrated success of supporting the academic growth of Black scholars, with a particular focus on literacy skill development
- Expertise in applicable grade-level Common Core State Standards and/or Next Generation Science Standards
- Expertise in literacy strategies and proven ability to integrate research-based literacy strategies across content-areas
- Experience in developing Ethnic Studies courses across various identity markers
- Instructional leadership and teaching experience: proven results in student learning as both an instructional leader and a teacher
- Knowledge of teacher and leader development frameworks and ability to co-develop aligned content and systems
- Command of the instruction-assessment cycle, and ability to apply this knowledge to develop a cohesive CIA program
- Ability to design and launch data-driven systems for standards, curriculum, instruction, and assessments
- Ability to coach others and improve their practice
- Exceptional ability to bridge and enhance cooperative working relationships
- Ability to manage projects including development, implementation and evaluation
- Ability to communicate proactively, effectively and provide and act on feedback
- Strong problem analysis and problem resolution skills using an inquiry framework
- Proven leadership skills with the ability to contribute to a team
- Understands and applies an equity centered lens in problem solving
- Able to build relationships with families and students
- Ability to work in a school setting with scholars and teammates (at all times when needed) as well as in a remote capacity
Minimum educational level:
- Bachelor’s degree required, with relevant degree and/or content expertise; Master’s degree preferred
Experience required:
5+ years as a teacher or school administrator, with demonstrated results in the designated content area
Compensation:
Aspire Public Schools is dedicated to our teammate's well-being! In addition to a competitive base salary that is benchmarked against local districts and charter schools, we offer employees exceptional benefits, including paid time off, 100% core health benefits coverage on select plans, life insurance/long-term disability, participation in a CA state retirement plan, tuition reimbursement plan, and adoption assistance program.
Our salary schedule based on years of experience for this position type is reflected here:
Aspire Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. Aspire promotes affirmative action for minorities, women, disabled persons, and veterans.