Managing Director of Academics

The Managing Director of Academics (MDA) provides instructional and content leadership for DREAM’s K–12 academic program, with a strong emphasis on excellent curriculum implementation, teacher development, and instructional quality. Reporting to the Deputy Chief of Learning, the MDA leads the 10-member Curriculum and Instruction Team and oversees DREAM’s network-wide approach to curriculum, assessment, data responsiveness, professional learning, and instructional support.

• Leader and Teacher Development: Build the instructional leadership skill set of Curriculum and Instruction Team Directors and Associate Directors as well as school Principals, Academic Deans, and teachers across the network through high-quality coaching, professional development, and modeling of exemplary practice.
• High School Curriculum Quality and Coherence: Lead the selection, adaptation, and implementation of rigorous, AP- and SAT-aligned, career-connected, and culturally responsive high school curricula across content areas.
• Acceleration of Academic Achievement Results: Consistently elevate the quality of Tier 1 curriculum implementation and strengthen data-responsive systems to achieve exceptional academic achievement results across all core content areas and grade spans.
• Project-Based Learning Implementation: Oversee the phased, network-wide implementation of project-based learning, ensuring coherence, feasibility, and strong instructional execution.
• Inclusive Curriculum and Differentiation for Diverse Learners: Partner with our Student Supports teams to strengthen differentiation, accessibility, and special education alignment within Tier 1 curriculum and select and adapt a research-based Tier 2 and 3 Intervention program.

• Instructional Leadership & Vision
  • Own and steward the network-wide instructional vision, ensuring alignment with DREAM’s 5-Year Curriculum Vision and Graduate Profile.
  • Partner closely with the network Education Leadership Team and school leaders to ensure strong instructional coherence and fidelity of implementation.
  • Set clear instructional priorities that emphasize rigor, culturally and historically responsive education, constructivist learning, and joyful classrooms.
• Curriculum Vision Implementation (K–12)
  • Provide executive oversight of curriculum selection, adaptation, and implementation across all grade levels and content areas.
  • Lead the next phase of high school curriculum development, including ELA, math, science, social studies, and emerging disciplines (e.g., AI, computer science, design).
  • Lead the instructional implementation of DREAM’s innovative, project-based learning strategy across grade levels.
  • Partner with the Managing Director of Student Supports to proactively differentiate Tier 1 curriculum materials for diverse learners and select and adapt a research-based Tier 2 and 3 Intervention program.
  • Ensure curriculum materials include clear guidance for teachers, embedded differentiation, performance-based assessments, and alignment to standards.
  • Collaborate with the Network Director of Curriculum Strategy and Operations to ensure high-quality production, distribution, and continuous improvement of materials.
• Leader & Teacher Development
  • Serve as the network’s lead instructional expert, modeling best practices in teaching, coaching, and adult learning.
  • Design and lead (or oversee the design and facilitation of) high-impact professional development for principals, Academic Deans, and teachers.
  • Coach and develop direct reports and skip-level leaders, with a focus on instructional leadership, content expertise, and effective coaching practices.
  • Build systems that support consistent, high-quality instructional feedback and learning across schools.
• Data-Driven Instruction
  • Partner with the Data and Assessment team to analyze student achievement data and instructional trends.
  • Use data to refine curriculum, adjust professional learning priorities, and support schools with targeted action planning.
  • Ensure assessment systems balance rigor with flexibility and multiple demonstrations of learning.
  • Lead the Curriculum and Instruction Team to analyze network-wide, school, and…