Chief Academic Officer

CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER

MIDDLETOWN, CONNECTICUT 

Location: Central Office, Middletown, Connecticut

Reports to: Superintendent of Schools

Theory of Action for Middletown Public Schools: If Middletown believes that every student has the right quality, student-centered education, THEN adults will cultivate creative, accessible, and innovative structures and opportunities with students, AND every student will demonstrate personalized growth and achieve at high levels to thrive in life.

Broad Function:  The Chief of Academics will plan, coordinate, and supervise the Pre-K-12 instructional program of the Middletown Public Schools with an emphasis on content standards and improving student academic achievement. The Chief Academic Officer leads the development of effective teaching, learning, and assessment within the construct of the district theory of action, manages state and federal requirements, and monitors programmatic and policy effectiveness. 

Qualifications: The Middletown Board of Education is seeking a highly qualified Cabinet level senior leader for the position of Chief Academic Officer. The Board recognizes the importance of this position and is determined to fill it with a person with outstanding instructional leadership and supervisory experiences.  The Chief Academic Officer will join the District's cabinet reporting to the Superintendent of Schools. The selected candidate must have the following qualifications:  

Advanced degree in education or related area (Doctorate in Educational Leadership or related field preferred) 

CT Administration 092 Certification Required. 093 Preferred

Minimum of five (5) years' experience in educational leadership 

Demonstrated record of achievement in an urban school district and an up-to-date familiarity with developments and trends in teaching and learning 

Expertise in the use of educational technology systems to create accountability systems and facilitate student learning 

Ability to effectively manage budgets 

Strong working knowledge of formative and summative assessment and a track record of leveraging these tools to drive differentiated instruction and student achievement gains 

Experience and knowledge in the development and implementation of Pre-K through grade 12 curriculum and effective instructional practices. Experience and knowledge in effective professional learning practices and change management

Strong writing, communication, and presentation skills with an ability to motivate and inspire a diverse set of stakeholders towards a common goal 

Extensive knowledge of all aspects of school district operations 

Proven ability to evaluate effectively and provide detailed, instructionally-focused feedback 

Exceptional interpersonal leadership, and organizational skills with demonstrated success navigating complex environments while building and maintaining relationships, particularly in a time of growth and change

High standards of ethics, honesty, and integrity 

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position is a cabinet level position that has supervisory and leadership responsibilities for building principals, assistant principals, curriculum directors and supervisors spanning the PreK-12 academic environment and all teaching and learning aspects of the District.  This includes direct supervision of the District's Directors of English Language Arts, Math, and STEAM, Principals, Department Heads, and Early Childhood Learning. The Chief Academic Officer also manages integrated and collaborative afterschool programs and summer programs.

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities: 

Provides a laser focus on accelerating equity and organizational excellence by achievement of the overarching priorities of the Middletown Public Schools 

Demonstrates operational effectiveness to ensure that resources and initiatives minimize/eliminate redundancies and intensify focus on priorities supporting excellent teaching and learning 

Works assertively to guarantee that students are provided rigorous instruction and the skills, knowledge, voice, and social-emotional support they need to succeed and thrive in and beyond school 

Actively engages in family and community affairs, co-creating trusting partnerships that recognize and promote families' and community's contributions to student learning

Provides systemic accountability with data-driven continuous improvement processes and practices with clear metrics and performance indicators that report on progress toward improved operational effectiveness, teaching and learning, and student outcomes

Plans and develops a student support services program that covers the entire continuum of services and delivery including: special education, social work, psychology, speech and language pathology services 

Drives efforts and implements policies to develop robust, valid, and reliable assessments aligned to district and state standards of excellence in all grades 

Oversees the overall planning and delivery of effective professional development for all employees 

Creates a culture of high engagement and expectations with principals and other administrators during all professional learning activities 

Implements and supports the curriculum, instructional and support services, and assessments to meet the needs of students in regular, special, bilingual, and gifted and talented education 

Oversees the implementation of effective teaching, learning, and assessment within the construct of the district theory of action 

Plays an active role with the leadership team to include proactively supporting the district's overall performance delivery strategy, while ensuring that all curriculum and instructional leaders across the organization function as an integrated team 

Participates in Superintendent's Cabinet to address educational systems and district operations through Strategic Operating Plan “SOP" monitoring and implementation 

Ensures alignment of instructional, human, and financial resources with system's priorities and strategic plan 

Collaborates with the Office of Finance and Office of Talent Management regarding budget priorities, budget formation, budget adjustments, and management of the impact to schools 

Embeds family and community engagement in all departmental initiatives 

Develops and implements fiscally responsive sustainability plan for the departments 

Acts as Superintendent's designee for schools relative to special status -Acceleration Agenda, Alliance grants, etc., including but not limited to representing the district at the state level 

Provides high level professional learning to school leaders aligned with the district's priorities, including convening a community of practice and conducting Instructional Rounds and School Quality Reviews 

Oversees an aligned PK-12 instructional program that addresses state, local, and federal requirements to ensure academic achievement 

Monitors school progress through feedback from students, teachers, principals, directors, community agencies, business leaders, consultants, and parents 

Conducts on-site observations of schools 

Plans and develops researched programs and supports to be implemented across schools Leads, directs, and coordinates the work of central office administrators and teams to support schools 

Leads, assists, and monitors the implementation of District initiatives and programs related to the core work of the role 

Designs, develops, and informs policies, standards, and vision at the District level to support all schools 

Provides input and progress monitoring for school improvement plans into long range improvement plans and ensures alignment with SOP 

Assists principals in the development of appropriate professional learning for faculty and staff 

Serves as the Superintendent's designee in school improvement planning, policy implementation, and community relations 

Collaborates and/or works with the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion on the development and implementation of proactive diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, which will support the district's strategic plan 

Performs other responsibilities as assigned by the Superintendent 

Demonstrates empathy and commitment to cause and illustrates a deep understanding of the urban school system environment and commitment to improving student achievement 

Passionately believes that all students can achieve at high levels 

Demonstrates cultural competence and a deep understanding of and empathy for issues facing urban families 

Coaches, coordinates, and leads teams 

Actively listens to others and effectively interprets others' motivations and perceptions 

Builds consensus and resolves conflicts; exhibits willingness to have difficult conversations. Skillfully navigates existing political structures/systems 

Problem solving and systems thinking including understanding how various systems/ departments interact to achieve the long-term goal. Understands systematic continuous improvement processes. Makes decisions using data and technological resources and takes initiative to solve problems and create stakeholder buy-in 

Identifies and prioritizes mission critical issues with alignment of people, time and resources. Offers innovative solutions to seemingly intractable problems 

Exhibits strong focus on goals and results. Sets clear metrics for success Thrives in an achievement-oriented and fast-paced environment. Removes barriers or obstacles that make it difficult for principals to achieve their goals and ensures that school leaders have the resources they need to succeed 

Demonstrates excellent execution and project management skills, including attention to detail, organizational skills, ability to balance the big picture with detailed steps to reach the end goal and has the ability to balance multiple projects under tight deadlines 

Motivates, inspires, and moves other adults to action to achieve ambitious goals. Skilled at re-envisioning, building, and managing a team, especially in a time of growth and change; excellent at identifying talent and taking advantage of each person's skills and contribution to team effort 

Sets clear agendas and facilitates effective meetings.  Has the ability to train, supervise, and evaluate staff from different cultural backgrounds and skill sets 

Reform-minded, innovative thinker and leader focused on students first 

Evaluation: Evaluated annually by the Superintendent of Schools

Compensation & Benefits: This position is a 12-Month work year. Non-Bargaining Employment Contract. Salary is commensurate with experience and by individual employment contract. 

NOTE: The above description covers the general duties and responsibilities of the position. The description shall not, however, be construed as a complete listing of all duties or as a contract. In all cases, these relationships, functions, and their applications are subject to change by the Superintendent of Schools. 

STATEMENT OF NON-DISCRIMINATION The Middletown Board of Education is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, and it does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, marital status, civil union, military or veteran status, national origin, sex, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or past or present physical or mental disability in any of its education programs, activities, or employment policies. All educational programs and offerings, including vocational education and extracurricular activities, subscribe to this policy.