Distinctive Schools
Overview
Distinctive Schools is seeking a
STEM Director
to lead science, technology, engineering, and mathematics instruction across all campuses. Location: 910 W Van Buren St., Chicago, IL 60607. Reports To: Chief Executive Officer. Salary: Starting at $100,000, commensurate with experience. Employee Type: Regular Full Time. Start Date: September 2025.
Distinctive Schools creates diverse, joyful, welcoming communities rooted in social justice and rigorous learning. We support all learners to be engaged, curious, and to achieve their full potential. Our students become confident advocates, creative problem-solvers, and collaborative leaders.
The STEM Director will serve as the network leader for STEM instruction across all Distinctive Schools campuses. This role sets a clear vision for high-quality, equitable STEM education and provides the leadership and expertise needed to ensure rigorous, innovative, and engaging STEM learning experiences for all students. They will collaborate with school and network academic leaders to implement research-based instructional practices, support teacher development, and strengthen STEM pathways from K–12. The ideal candidate brings deep content knowledge, instructional leadership, and a passion for advancing STEM access and excellence in underserved communities.
Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Vision
Champion and lead a bold, network-wide vision for STEM education that aligns with Distinctive Schools’ mission, values, and academic priorities.
Drive the strategic development, implementation, and evaluation of STEM initiatives to ensure coherence, excellence, and alignment with academic standards and student success outcomes.
Ensure vertical and horizontal alignment of curriculum, instruction, and assessment with Illinois Learning Standards, Next Generation Science Standards, and nationally recognized STEM frameworks.
Collaborate closely with the Chief Academic Officer, Executive Director of Academics and school leaders to integrate cutting-edge instructional models that foster inquiry-based learning, real-world problem solving, and student innovation.
Program & Curriculum Development
Design and refine rigorous, culturally responsive STEM curricula across all grade levels that promote creativity, equity, and academic excellence.
Develop instructional materials and assessment tools that support high-quality STEM instruction and interdisciplinary, project-based learning models. Partner with school teams to meaningfully embed STEM across all content areas and ensure relevance to student interests and future-ready competencies.
Expand access to advanced STEM coursework and pathways, including computer science, engineering, dual credit programs, and career-connected learning opportunities, especially at the high school level.
Serve as the subject matter expert on STEM education and steward the program budget in collaboration with the Academic Team to ensure effective resource allocation.
Teacher & Leader Development
Design and deliver high-impact professional learning experiences for STEM educators, instructional leaders, and coaches that promote pedagogical innovation and excellence.
Facilitate collaborative initiatives with school-based staff and external partners to co-create interdisciplinary STEM experiences.
Provide individualized coaching, modeling, and capacity-building support to elevate instructional quality and student achievement in STEM.
Demonstrate effective STEM teaching practices through co-teaching, lesson modeling, and instructional rounds.
Data-Informed Practice
Analyze student achievement and program data to measure impact, inform continuous improvement, and align efforts with broader academic priorities.
Build school capacity to use data to drive instructional shifts, personalize learning, and plan targeted interventions for student success.
Partnerships & Innovation
Cultivate strategic partnerships with STEM-focused nonprofits, industry leaders, universities, and community organizations to expand real-world learning opportunities for students.
Identify and secure grant funding and philanthropic investments to scale and sustain innovative STEM programming and access.
Serve as a thought leader in STEM innovation, bringing national best practices, future-forward trends, and workforce insights to Distinctive Schools’ academic programming.
Qualifications Education:
Master’s Degree.
Valid Professional Educator License or equivalent
Valid Principal/Administration license or equivalent
Principal or Executive Director-level experience in a related educational nonprofit organization
Technology: Proficient in cloud-based solutions — GoogleSuite
Travel to campuses and network events/trainings at least monthly
Physical demands Work is typically performed in an office setting with occasional extended periods at computer terminals. Occasional visits to off-site or campus locations are required. The job generally requires 60% sitting, 20% walking, and 20% standing.
Benefits
25+ paid holidays and flexible PTO
12 weeks family paid leave
Comprehensive healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision)
403(b) match
Fully match up to 3%
50% match up to 5%
Professional development including tuition reimbursement
Gym and wellness discounts
And more
Job Description Disclaimer Since no job description can detail all duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder's responsibility.
EEO Distinctive Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Distinctive Schools is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, Distinctive Schools will take steps to ensure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact talent@distinctiveschools.org or call 773.828.4191.
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STEM Director
to lead science, technology, engineering, and mathematics instruction across all campuses. Location: 910 W Van Buren St., Chicago, IL 60607. Reports To: Chief Executive Officer. Salary: Starting at $100,000, commensurate with experience. Employee Type: Regular Full Time. Start Date: September 2025.
Distinctive Schools creates diverse, joyful, welcoming communities rooted in social justice and rigorous learning. We support all learners to be engaged, curious, and to achieve their full potential. Our students become confident advocates, creative problem-solvers, and collaborative leaders.
The STEM Director will serve as the network leader for STEM instruction across all Distinctive Schools campuses. This role sets a clear vision for high-quality, equitable STEM education and provides the leadership and expertise needed to ensure rigorous, innovative, and engaging STEM learning experiences for all students. They will collaborate with school and network academic leaders to implement research-based instructional practices, support teacher development, and strengthen STEM pathways from K–12. The ideal candidate brings deep content knowledge, instructional leadership, and a passion for advancing STEM access and excellence in underserved communities.
Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Vision
Champion and lead a bold, network-wide vision for STEM education that aligns with Distinctive Schools’ mission, values, and academic priorities.
Drive the strategic development, implementation, and evaluation of STEM initiatives to ensure coherence, excellence, and alignment with academic standards and student success outcomes.
Ensure vertical and horizontal alignment of curriculum, instruction, and assessment with Illinois Learning Standards, Next Generation Science Standards, and nationally recognized STEM frameworks.
Collaborate closely with the Chief Academic Officer, Executive Director of Academics and school leaders to integrate cutting-edge instructional models that foster inquiry-based learning, real-world problem solving, and student innovation.
Program & Curriculum Development
Design and refine rigorous, culturally responsive STEM curricula across all grade levels that promote creativity, equity, and academic excellence.
Develop instructional materials and assessment tools that support high-quality STEM instruction and interdisciplinary, project-based learning models. Partner with school teams to meaningfully embed STEM across all content areas and ensure relevance to student interests and future-ready competencies.
Expand access to advanced STEM coursework and pathways, including computer science, engineering, dual credit programs, and career-connected learning opportunities, especially at the high school level.
Serve as the subject matter expert on STEM education and steward the program budget in collaboration with the Academic Team to ensure effective resource allocation.
Teacher & Leader Development
Design and deliver high-impact professional learning experiences for STEM educators, instructional leaders, and coaches that promote pedagogical innovation and excellence.
Facilitate collaborative initiatives with school-based staff and external partners to co-create interdisciplinary STEM experiences.
Provide individualized coaching, modeling, and capacity-building support to elevate instructional quality and student achievement in STEM.
Demonstrate effective STEM teaching practices through co-teaching, lesson modeling, and instructional rounds.
Data-Informed Practice
Analyze student achievement and program data to measure impact, inform continuous improvement, and align efforts with broader academic priorities.
Build school capacity to use data to drive instructional shifts, personalize learning, and plan targeted interventions for student success.
Partnerships & Innovation
Cultivate strategic partnerships with STEM-focused nonprofits, industry leaders, universities, and community organizations to expand real-world learning opportunities for students.
Identify and secure grant funding and philanthropic investments to scale and sustain innovative STEM programming and access.
Serve as a thought leader in STEM innovation, bringing national best practices, future-forward trends, and workforce insights to Distinctive Schools’ academic programming.
Qualifications Education:
Master’s Degree.
Valid Professional Educator License or equivalent
Valid Principal/Administration license or equivalent
Principal or Executive Director-level experience in a related educational nonprofit organization
Technology: Proficient in cloud-based solutions — GoogleSuite
Travel to campuses and network events/trainings at least monthly
Physical demands Work is typically performed in an office setting with occasional extended periods at computer terminals. Occasional visits to off-site or campus locations are required. The job generally requires 60% sitting, 20% walking, and 20% standing.
Benefits
25+ paid holidays and flexible PTO
12 weeks family paid leave
Comprehensive healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision)
403(b) match
Fully match up to 3%
50% match up to 5%
Professional development including tuition reimbursement
Gym and wellness discounts
And more
Job Description Disclaimer Since no job description can detail all duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder's responsibility.
EEO Distinctive Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Distinctive Schools is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, Distinctive Schools will take steps to ensure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact talent@distinctiveschools.org or call 773.828.4191.
#J-18808-Ljbffr