Position Title:  Director of Academics & Pathways

Start Date 8/1/2026

Overview:  

The Director of Academics & Pathways will provide leadership and vision in the ongoing planning, implementation, development, direction, review, and evaluation of the district’s curriculum and instructional services, federal programs, career and technical education services, assessment, research, and evaluation services. The Director ensures that district/school education objectives are aligned with state frameworks and with instructional practices that yield the highest standards of student achievement and instructional excellence. 

Key Responsibilities:

Instructional Leadership & Curriculum Design

• Strategic Alignment: Lead the development, implementation, and vertical alignment of K-12 curriculum to ensure seamless transitions between grade levels and buildings.
• Program Innovation: Drive the adoption of evidence-based instructional strategies and innovative programs that improve student outcomes.
• Specialized Pathways: Oversee and expand diverse learning pathways, including but not limited to College Credit Plus (CCP), Gifted Programming, English Language Learning (ELL), and career-tech partnerships (Tolles). 
• Resource Management: Supervise the selection, adoption, and evaluation of textbooks and digital instructional materials to ensure they align with state standards.
• Career & Experiential Learning:  Drive the development and expansion of K-12 career exploration, work-based learning, and experiential opportunities. Cultivate strategic partnerships with local businesses and community stakeholders to provide students with internships, apprenticeships, and authentic real-world learning experiences that bridge the gap between classroom instruction and future careers.

Professional Learning & Staff Development

• PD Strategy: Set a district-wide vision for professional development that addresses the needs of both certified and support staff.
• Mentorship & Induction: Collaborate with the Resident Educator Coordinator on the Resident Educator Program and lead orientation activities to support the growth and retention of new teachers and administrators.
• Continuous Improvement: Coordinate a year-round staff development calendar focused on strengthening personnel performance and instructional delivery.
• Resource Leader: Serve as the primary resource for building-level leaders to help them implement site-specific professional growth initiatives.

Assessment & Data Accountability

• District Test Coordinator (DTC): Manage the execution of all state and local testing programs, including the creation of the master district assessment calendar.
• Data Integrity: Collaborate with the EMIS coordinator, Student Services, English Language Learners and Gifted Supervisor to ensure accurate reporting and data-driven decision-making.
• Performance Reporting: Analyze student achievement data and present regular reports to the Superintendent and Board of Education regarding program effectiveness. Analyze student achievement data and support principal and teachers' data literacy.

Human Resources & Supervision

• Staffing Support: Partner with building principals to determine optimal teacher placement and participate in the recruitment and interviewing of instructional staff.
• Strategic Staffing: Partner with building principals to recommend staffing and programming within the buildings.
• Evaluation: Conduct formal and informal observations and evaluations of district staff as defined by the organizational chart.
• Coaching: Provide direct consultation to principals and teachers to improve their instructional effectiveness and leadership.

Administration, Compliance & Operations

• Grant Management (CCIP): Lead the development, application, and implementation of state and federal programs, including Titles I, IIA, III, and IV.
• Budgetary Oversight: Develop and manage the curriculum department budget, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to meet district goals.
• Policy & Compliance: Serve as the Title IX Coordinator and advise the Superintendent on policy changes related to instruction and state mandates.
• Community Engagement: Act as a spokesperson for the district’s educational philosophy, maintaining open communication with the Board, parents, and the community.
• Adaptive Support: Execute additional tasks and leadership duties as assigned by the Superintendent or their designee

Key Qualifications:

• A Master's degree in educational leadership or a related field

Holds a valid principal’s license

• Three years of school administration experience preferred 
• OPES, OTES, & OCES credentialed
• Must be open to actively participating in leadership development opportunities to promote professional growth.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with students, staff, and parents.
• Must have the full support of the Superintendent.
• Such alternatives to the above as deemed appropriate by the Superintendent.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA):

• Demonstrate excellent collaboration skills
• Demonstrate excellent communication skills
• Demonstrate excellent decision-making skills
• Model appropriate behavior
• Anticipate problems and provide potential solutions 
• Demonstrate entrepreneurial skills
• Take initiative

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described herein 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.

• The position is mostly indoors (climate-controlled office or school setting) and outdoors.
• The employee is frequently required to walk and stand while performing the duties of this job. Occasionally the employee will sit and/or run.
• The employee will frequently bend or twist at the trunk while performing the duties of this job.
• The employee will frequently squat, stoop, kneel, reach above the head, reach forward and repeat the same hand motion many times while performing the duties of the job. 
• The employee may lift and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• The employee must also have the ability to work in an office environment and operate varied technologies.
• The specific vision requirements of the job include good depth perception and, occasionally, being able to see objects/persons at a distance.
• While performing the duties of the job the employee frequently is required to hear conversation in quiet, as well as a noisy environment and be able to tell where a sound is coming from.
• The employee must be able to communicate in order to give directions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Occasionally, the employee must be able to meet deadlines with severe time constraints and interact with the public and other workers. The noise level in the environment is usually moderate.

Conduct:

Each staff member shall remain free of any alcohol or non-prescribed controlled substance and abuse of any prescribed controlled substance in the workplace throughout his/her employment in the District. Each staff member shall serve as a role model for students in how to conduct themselves as citizens and

as responsible, intelligent human beings. Each staff member has a legal responsibility to help instill in

students the belief in and practice of ethical principles and democratic values.