Executive Director of K-8 Schools

Overview

The Executive Director of K‑8 Schools will create specific conditions to actualize the Seattle Public Schools Strategic Plan and focus on elimination of systemic opportunity gaps through inclusive services. The Executive Director will be a member of the EDS (Executive Director of Schools) Team that reports directly to the Assistant Superintendent of Schools.

In this role the Executive Director will support district and building school improvement efforts directly connected to the district’s strategic plan and Comprehensive School Plans (C‑SIP) and collaborate with K‑8 school principals to build the capacity of leaders and strengthen instructional and cultural responsiveness.

• Effectively partners with and supervises K‑8 school principals and other staff to improve student outcomes.
• Supports principals to develop, implement, monitor and adjust Comprehensive School Improvement Plans (C‑SIP) centered on improving instructional leadership and systems of support to improve inclusive instructional practices that impact outcomes for all students.
• Promotes equitable access to rigorous, standards‑based instruction that centers on inclusion and culturally responsive practices leading to high‑quality instruction for all students.
• Provides results‑focused professional learning and collaboration.
• Makes data‑driven decisions. Disaggregated data must be at the table.
• Opens and acts on direct feedback to improve the leader’s own performance.
• Works effectively with school communities to build strong partnerships with families and community through authentic engagement.
• Models effective instructional leadership and teaching of adults grounded in research‑based adult learning theory.
• Provides recommendations for K‑8 school principal and assistant principal hires to the Superintendent.
• Assists K‑8 school principals with interpreting relevant federal and state laws as they relate to school issues.
• Assists K‑8 school principals in staffing, scheduling and budgeting as needed.
• Supports K‑8 school principals in connecting with other Central Office departments to respond to operational and other needs.

• Is accountable for ensuring K‑8 school principals and schools comply with district policy.
• Supervises, monitors, and evaluates the performance of assigned personnel.
• Supports and monitors the implementation of effective teaching strategies at schools.
• Oversees implementation of curriculum, professional development, evaluation, and student assessment.
• Interviews and selects employees and recommends transfers, reassignments, terminations, and disciplinary actions.
• Assists with the development, implementation and monitoring of corrective actions.

• Actively leads groups of central office leaders to support building principals in creating safe, healthy learning environments.
• Informs policy and shapes procedures related to district policy and strategic direction.
• Analyzes and prioritizes the needs of schools to inform central office support.
• Facilitates, coordinates and collaborates with central office departments to ensure success for all SPS initiatives and school‑based operations.
• Works with the Superintendent and other system leaders to implement the district’s strategic plan and its metrics.
• Collaborates with the Superintendent, Student Services, Teaching and Learning, and Human Resources to improve instruction and implement sound strategies across content and programs.
• Provides recommendations and support for major instructional and educational strategies and partners in evaluating their effectiveness.
• Aligns critical components of work with other Executive Directors and creates common messages when needed.
• Explicitly models, through communication and actions, the core values and beliefs essential to supporting the SPS strategic plan.
• Trains and assists K‑8 school principals to meet identified school goals and targets and assists in determining and acquiring support services.
• Plans and provides professional development using adult learning activities, focusing on leadership, instructional leadership, and curricular practices for principals and…