Foundation Director; Director II

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) oversees primary and secondary public education in Texas and is committed to improving outcomes for all public school students by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems across the state.

• We are Determined:
  We are committed and intentional in pursuing our primary purpose of improving outcomes for students.
• We are People-Centered:
  We strive to attract, develop, and retain committed talent that reflects the diversity of Texas, with each individual contributing to our shared vision for students.
• We are Learners:
  We seek evidence, reflect on outcomes, and continuously improve in pursuit of excellence for students.
• We are Servant Leaders:
  We are public servants committed to improving opportunities for students and supporting those who serve them.

Position Overview: The Foundation Director provides statewide leadership for the K-12 Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) in the foundation curriculum subject areas of mathematics, science, social studies, and reading language arts (RLA). The position leads a team of content experts that provides clarification and guidance to districts, schools, parents, and internal stakeholders; develops professional development and implementation resources, including TEKS Guides;

and coordinates the alignment and interpretation of the foundation curriculum TEKS across Texas Education Agency initiatives. The Foundation Director provides strategic leadership for complex curriculum initiatives, including implementation planning, resource coordination, contract oversight, and cross-divisional collaboration. The position also provides leadership, guidance, and support for the implementation of curriculum-related legislation and initiatives, including bill analysis, cost‑estimate development, implementation planning, rule making support, and communication of implementation progress and decisions to agency leadership.

A successful candidate will approach the work with a strong commitment to academic excellence, intellectual rigor, factual accuracy, and the development of deep and enduring knowledge. The candidate will value knowledge‑rich instruction, strong content knowledge, authoritative sources, and research‑based practices that support effective teaching and learning. The candidate must also demonstrate knowledge of applicable state statutes and rules and the ability to apply them in the development and implementation of the policies, programs, and initiatives.

Relevant statutes include, but are not limited to, Texas Education Code (TEC) §§4.001 (public education mission and objectives), 28.002 (required curriculum and essential knowledge and skills), 28.0022 (instructional requirements and prohibitions), and 31.022 (suitability). In addition, the candidate will understand and support State Board of Education direction, the TEKS, and applicable priorities established by the Texas Governor, the Legislature, and the Commissioner of Education.

The successful candidate will pair this grounding with sound judgment and strategic awareness, to demonstrate responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources, respect for parental rights, and a sustained focus on supporting students, educators, and strong academic outcomes.

This position serves as a member of the Curriculum Standards and Student Support Division leadership team and reports to the senior director of the Curriculum Standards and Student Support Division.

This position requires up to 5% travel, based on business needs, to support program initiatives, collaboration, and operational priorities.

The nature of this role requires seasonal presence in Austin during State Board of Education (SBOE) meetings and legislative session, as well…