Frank Liu Jr. Academy Music & Arts, Founding Director of Academics

ABOUT FLAMA

At the Frank Liu Jr. Academy for Music & Arts (FLAMA)—a Pre-K through 8th grade open-enrollment charter school located in Houston’s 2nd Ward—their mission is to inspire a joy for learning in every student through the fusion of academic rigor, cognitive science, and the arts. We believe the arts aren’t just enrichment—they are essential pathways for learning.

FLAMA’s innovative model rests on three pillars and we are seeking educators with both a track record of success and a commitment to FLAMA’s three design elements: (1) music and art education, (2) executive function skills development and (3) instructional methods rooted in the cognitive sciences. FLAMA faculty must demonstrate a strong interest in professional growth and a desire to have such learning guide their instructional methods.

FLAMA will open to students in August of 2027 in a state-of-the-art campus located in Houston’s revitalized East End, housed within the historic Folger’s Coffee Factory. Designed to bring exceptional music, arts, and academically rigorous learning to students from Houston’s 2nd, 3rd, and 5th Wards, FLAMA is rooted in Frank Liu Jr.’s visionary dream to create a school where creativity becomes a pathway to opportunity.

Frank understood the transformative power of music and art to expand imagination, deepen learning, and strengthen community. His legacy shapes FLAMA’s mission and guides the work of every educator who joins our founding team. To learn more visit www.flama.org.

The Founding Director of Academics serves as a key instructional leader responsible for ensuring excellence in teaching and learning across all Pre-K–8 academic programs. Working in close collaboration with the Superintendent, Director of Music & Arts, and instructional teams, this position advances FLAMA’s mission to integrate academic rigor, music, and the arts within a nurturing environment that cultivates curiosity, technical fluency, and creative expression.

The Founding Director of Academics drives the alignment of curriculum, assessment, and instructional practices across grade levels, ensuring that faculty development, student support systems, and community partnerships reflect FLAMA’s commitment to the science of learning and arts-infused education.

• Collaborates with the Superintendent on the design, selection, and implementation of high-quality curricula aligned with FLAMA’s mission and state standards.
• Integrates insights from cognitive science and educational research into instructional design and teacher practice.
• Ensures horizontal and vertical alignment of curriculum in ELA, mathematics, science, social studies, and enrichment courses.
• Oversees integration of arts-based learning strategies in partnership with the Director of Music & Arts.
• Leads internal curriculum reviews to ensure academic rigor, cultural relevance, and cross
  - disciplinary connections.

• Observes classroom instruction regularly and provides actionable feedback to faculty.
• Guides teachers in applying data-driven practices, differentiated instruction, and the MTSS
  framework.
• Designs and implements ongoing professional learning aligned to campus goals and best
  practices.
• Conducts formal performance evaluations, manages improvement plans, and fosters a growth-oriented faculty culture.
• Models instructional excellence by teaching as possible to remain grounded in classroom
  realities.
• Leads professional learning that helps faculty connect arts integration with the science of
  learning and whole-child development.

• Synthesizes data from assessments, benchmarks, and formative tools to…