Director of Culture and Instruction

Position:
Middle School Director of Culture & Instruction

Reports to:

Head of School, Middle School

New School San Francisco is a public charter school currently serving 470 transitional kindergarten through 8th grade students from all corners of the city and from all backgrounds. We believe in a “hands on minds on” approach to learning that harnesses each student’s curiosity and encourages learners to construct their own meaning and knowledge through inquiry-based learning. We aim to practice equity in all that we do – ensuring every child is able to access and receive an individualized education that builds off their unique strengths, skills and passions.

We pursue social justice as a through line, helping learners develop an understanding of how to make our community better. Taken all together, this approach fosters a deep love of learning in students and prepares them with the problem-solving and critical-thinking skills necessary to meet the challenges and opportunities of this changing world.

We are committed to breaking down systemic structures which contribute to deep inequities in education. Our goal is to prioritize our Black and brown students, English Language Learners (ELLs), and students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) by dismantling white supremacy. However, we know that our school and organization must continue to evolve to reach this aspiration. We therefore continuously question our culture, climate, and curriculum.

We aim to teach kids of all ages to think critically about how race has been constructed in the United States, to become aware of their own racial socialization, and to have skills and vocabulary to engage in productive conversations around race, racism, classism, sexism, ableism and other inequities. We specifically are aiming to become a pro-Black organization, as we know that Black people have been the most marginalized within our society and within our school as well.

We are seeking educators who are committed to anti-racism, pro-Blackness, and the accompanying ongoing work that comes with this pursuit.

It is important that our staff reflect the diversity of our students and their families. We strongly encourage leaders and teachers of color, LGBTQIA+ and male candidates to apply. All candidates must be excited to roll up their sleeves, operate with a level of flexibility as we build our program, bring creativity to their work, commit to the ongoing work of being anti-racist, and be ready to collaborate across and within teams.

We invest in our staff in meaningful ways. We believe that the adults must be taken care of and supported to do right by our students. To that end, every staff member has a coach, a team, an individualized learning plan, and opportunities to grow. We value hard work and we also value self-care. The two are not mutually exclusive.

The Middle School Director of Culture & Instruction plays a critical role in ensuring that every student experiences a rigorous, inclusive, and joyful learning environment where they feel a deep sense of belonging and are held to high academic expectations. This leader sets a vision where strong culture and strong instruction are inextricably linked, ensuring that systems, practices, and adult actions consistently drive student achievement and well-being.

Through close collaboration with leadership, teachers, students, and families, this role develops, implements, and refines systems that support both excellent teaching and equitable student outcomes. The Director ensures that instructional practices, school culture, and student supports work cohesively to meet the needs of all learners.

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