Director - Advanced Academics

Position Type:
Admin - Director/Director

Date Posted:
6/3/2026

Location:
Teaching & Learning
Mesquite ISD - Compensation Plans

Administrative Compensation Plan

Pay Grade: 5
Shift Type: Full-Time
Wage/Hour Status: Exempt
Reports To: Assistant Superintendent - Administrative Service

EMPLOYMENT BEGINS:
As soon as possible

PRIMARY

PURPOSE:

? Lead the district's Advanced Academics program by designing and implementing systems that expand access to rigorous learning experiences, promote excellence in teaching and learning, and prepare students for postsecondary success.
? Provide leadership for advanced coursework, gifted services, academic competitions, and related initiatives while ensuring program effectiveness, equitable student outcomes, strategic resource allocation, and alignment with district accountability, college readiness, and long-range strategic priorities..

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Certification:

? Master's Degree
? Texas Teacher Certificate
? Gifted Endorsement/Certification
? Mid-Management, Principal, or other leadership certification preferred.

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE/

SKILLS:

? Knowledge of Texas public school laws, regulations, and accountability systems related to advanced academics and postsecondary readiness
? Knowledge of Texas Education Agency (TEA) requirements for Gifted and Talented (GT) identification, services, and program evaluation (Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students)
? Knowledge of Advanced Placement (AP), Dual Credit, OnRamps, and other advanced coursework programs
? Knowledge of postsecondary readiness assessments, including the SAT, ACT, TSIA2, PSAT, and related benchmarks
? Knowledge of academic competition programs and enrichment opportunities, including University Interscholastic League (UIL), academic decathlon, spelling bee, Destination Imagination, and similar programs
? Knowledge of the AVID system
? Skill in project management, organization, and prioritization of competing responsibilities
? Skill in consensus building, problem solving, and change management
? Skill in presenting information to executive leadership, school boards, and other stakeholders
? Knowledge of scaling advanced academic opportunities across multiple high schools, middle schools, and elementary campuses
? Knowledge of articulation agreements, dual-credit partnerships, and higher education collaboration models
? Ability to build district wide systems to increase advanced course participation while maintaining program rigor
? Ability to align Advanced Academics initiatives with district strategic planning, talent development, and accountability goals
? Ability to lead cross-department collaboration among teaching and learning, counseling, college readiness, assessment, special populations, and campus leadership teams.

EXPERIENCE:

? Minimum of five (5) years of successful classroom teaching experience required
? Minimum of three (3) years of campus or district-level leadership experience required
? Experience managing departmental budgets, grants, and contracts preferred.

MAJOR

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

? Provide strategic leadership and oversight for, develop, implement, monitor, and continuously improve a comprehensive K 12 Advanced Academics framework aligned to district goals and student needs.
? Establish annual goals, performance measures, and improvement plans for Advanced Academics programs.
? Ensure alignment among advanced academic offerings, district curriculum, instructional priorities, and postsecondary readiness goals.
? Advanced Coursework and Postsecondary Readiness
? Oversee the implementation and expansion of Advanced Placement (AP), Dual Credit, OnRamps, and other advanced coursework opportunities.
? Oversee the District AVID Coordinator and provide leadership for the development, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of AVID programming across the district.
? Collaborate with campus administrators to increase student enrollment, participation, and success in rigorous academic programs.
? Monitor student outcomes in advanced coursework, including course completion, exam participation, exam performance, and earned college credit.
? Direct the district's Gifted and Talented (GT) program and ensure compliance with state requirements.
? Oversee GT identification processes, service delivery models, program evaluation, and parent communication.
? Ensure equitable access to GT services and advanced learning opportunities across all student groups.
? Monitor implementation of GT instructional practices and program standards across campuses.
? Oversee district academic enrichment opportunities and competitions.
? Oversee district participation in programs such as UIL Academics, Destination Imagination, spelling bee competitions, and other academic contests.
? Support campuses in expanding student engagement in enrichment activities that promote academic excellence and leadership development.
? Monitor district and campus performance indicators related to advanced academics and college readiness.
? Utilize…