Director of Social Studies

In July 2019, Compass Community Schools opened six high-quality charter schools (five elementary and one middle/high) in the Memphis communities of Binghampton, Berclair, Frayser, Hickory Hill, Midtown, and Orange Mound. We focus intently on three pillars – academic excellence, values-based character education, and service learning in the community – as we prepare our students for college and life-long success.

Our vision is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s ideal of education: “Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.” This true education – provided within a supportive, joyful, and hopeful school culture – will prepare our students to be positive agents of change in our communities.

The Director of Social Studies will maintain a vision for high-quality social studies instruction in Compass Community Schools. The director will provide leadership for all aspects of the network’s 5th-8th-grade social studies program (with some collaboration in 9th-12th grade) to ensure highly effective instruction across Compass Community Schools. By doing so, the director will significantly support Compass Community Schools’ efforts to improve the lives of young people across Memphis.

• Exemplify a vision for high-quality social studies instruction across Compass Community Schools.
• Provide guidance and support to principals and teachers to ensure excellent social studies instruction.
• Oversee professional development sessions for all aspects of the social studies program, including identifying high-quality external professional development opportunities as well as creating, designing, and leading internal professional development activities.
• Identify and spread best practices for social studies instruction, including promising practices from within and outside of Compass Community Schools.
• Support social studies teachers via classroom observations and instructional coaching. – Provide leadership regarding the selection and implementation of social studies curriculum. – Ensure the curriculum is taught with fidelity and, where necessary, design instructional materials to fill curricular gaps.
• In collaboration with the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, design and refine a common formative assessment system aligned to Tennessee standards.
• In collaboration with the Data and Assessment Manager and Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, analyze student achievement data and help educators make data-driven instructional changes.
• Support established Compass systems such as Data Digs, Flex Block, Gradual Release instruction Model, and use of HQIM.
• Support school leaders’ efforts to establish school cultures that are supportive, joyful, hopeful, and focused on student success.
• In collaboration with Directors of Mission and Vision, support teachers in their contributions to the Compass Pillars of Values-Based Character Education and Service Learning as a priority in their classrooms and share insights on potential integration with the social studies program.

• REQUIRED:
  
  valid Tennessee teaching license
• ENCOURAGED:
  Bilingual candidates encouraged to apply
• Affinity with, and passion for, the compelling vision of Compass Community Schools
• Strong content knowledge in specific content areas
• Driving commitment to advance student learning
• Ability to lead students toward a joyful and productive learning environment
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build productive relationships with students and colleagues
• Desire to work hard in a balanced, extended school calendar
• Utmost personal and professional integrity

• Mission-driven, joyful, respectful working environments
• Intentionally small school settings
• Opportunity to positively impact the lives of Memphis youth
• Competitive compensation and benefits package