Explore Schools
Middle School Humanities Academic Director
Join to apply for the
Middle School Humanities Academic Director
role at
Explore Schools .
Location: Brooklyn, New York.
In-Person work required. This position is exempt and not eligible for overtime.
WHO WE ARE Explore Schools is a network of public charter schools providing 1,700 students in Brooklyn with the outstanding education they deserve. Our goal is to provide students with curriculum and instruction that is both standards‑aligned and culturally responsive. Our approach is designed to nurture students as critical thinkers and natural problem‑solvers. We are committed to disrupting and dismantling systems that perpetuate white supremacy. We intentionally seek to build a diverse and talented team that reflects students’ backgrounds and creates an inclusive environment for all employees.
WHAT WE BELIEVE We believe all children can learn in a rich environment full of high expectations, rigorous academics, and caring adults. Equity and excellence are not mutually exclusive; we meet the needs of all students while actively engaging parents and striving for excellent outcomes. We see it as our privilege and responsibility to close the opportunity gap in Brooklyn.
WHO YOU ARE Explore Schools seeks an experienced educational leader who demonstrates a drive toward excellence and is passionate about serving all students. The ideal candidate is an outstanding leader and manager of adults, who believes in and invests in developing talent, and possesses a strong understanding of academic rigor and effective instruction. Successful Academic Directors creatively implement solutions to ensure all students have the tools needed for college‑preparatory high schools and beyond. Additionally, you possess the following qualities:
Dedicated to working in communities that have historically been underserved and under‑resourced.
Committed to thoughtfully engaging in identity work to culturally respond in pedagogy and relationships with students and colleagues.
Exceptional strategic planning, prioritization, and execution skills.
Strong communicator, culture and relationship builder who actively engages and partners with families, staff, and students.
Outstanding content knowledge across grades 6‑8.
Demonstrated experience using data to set goals, measure success, and achieve exceptional student results.
4+ years of teaching experience, with experience coaching and/or managing adults required.
A master’s degree and administrative certification preferred.
WHAT YOU'LL DO The Middle School Academic Director is directly responsible for coaching, developing, and evaluating the teachers they supervise. Working closely with the school Principal, you will manage the following areas:
Leadership & Talent Management
Manage and supervise approximately 12 teachers across content areas, including regular coaching cycles, setting termly development goals, evaluating performance, and initiating performance improvement processes as needed.
Coach teachers through observation, feedback, co‑teaching, real‑time coaching, and lesson‑planning review.
Collaborate with the leadership team to identify academic priorities, set measurable goals, and monitor progress toward goals.
Plan and lead PLCs, grade‑level, and content teams focused on intellectual preparation of standards‑aligned content, reviewing student work and data to inform teaching, and identifying instructional, cultural, and operational needs.
Collaborate with ESI and cross‑network colleagues to lead programmatic and curricular implementation at your school and support network‑wide professional development days.
Participate in recruitment, selection, and retention of staff.
Consistently model Explore's operating values in written and verbal interactions with all members of our community.
Actively engage in identity work and conversations necessary to dismantle white‑supremacy culture.
Instructional Delivery and Student Support
Lead instructional initiatives as designated by the Principal by providing academic support to students and small groups, including direct instruction as needed.
Collaborate with the culture team to provide teacher support around behavioral systems and culturally relevant practices, and with the special populations leader to ensure all support services, related services, and intervention needs of students are met, including family communication, MTSS/RTI coordination, and teacher oversight.
Oversee teacher‑family connections, ensuring reports communicate and respond to families around academic and behavioral priorities.
Analyze school‑wide and grade‑level data regularly to design responsive student interventions.
Plan and lead instructional, non‑classroom initiatives such as family events/meetings, tutoring, after‑school clubs, and field trips.
Additional Responsibilities
Assist with non‑instructional supervision of students (arrival/dismissal, hallway monitoring, lunch & playground duty, or supervision/planning of extracurricular activities, and in case of an emergency).
Contribute to the overall success of the school and network by welcoming new requests, remaining aware of others’ demands, volunteering help when not asked, tracking approaching deadlines, and improving processes.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS Explore Schools staff members receive a competitive salary, paid time off including network shutdown days, significant matching of retirement contributions, and more.
The salary range for incoming Academic Directors is $100,000 – $125,000. This is the good‑faith range at posting.
Incoming salaries are determined based on experience and internal equity.
There is no salary cap; this range applies only to incoming staff.
This is a base salary and does not include additional compensation such as signing bonuses, additional time‑worked pay, stipends, leadership opportunities, or pay for specialized certifications and advanced degrees.
Additional benefits include:
A comprehensive benefits plan covering up to 95% of cost for employees and families; dental, vision, employer‑paid disability and life insurance, parental leave, flexible spending account options, generous vacation and paid holidays, professional development, continuing education scholarships, referral bonuses, employee assistance program, childcare assistance, a 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching, and more.
Flexible and collaborative leadership with dedicated staff development, team cohesion, and shared decision‑making.
Opportunities to serve on committees and participate in strategic planning initiatives.
Professional development: weekly PD, retreats, training, and coaching.
Continued education support: scholarship funds toward qualifying certification costs or higher‑education tuition.
LOCATION AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Explore Schools is a network of six charter schools located in Canarsie, Crown Heights, and Flatbush communities of Brooklyn, NY. Schools are fully in‑person. For this position:
In‑person work is required.
This is an exempt position and is not eligible for overtime.
The standard workweek is 45 hours, though more may be required.
The role requires standing for at least 5 hours a day, frequent stair use, and quick movement in emergencies.
The role requires lifting up to 15 pounds.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Explore Schools is an equal opportunity employer committed to a workplace free of discrimination. We do not discriminate on race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran or military status. If any employee or applicant believes they have been discriminated against, they should let Tiffany Williams know immediately.
JOB DETAILS
Seniority level:
Director
Employment type:
Full‑time
Job function:
Education and Training
Industry:
Primary and Secondary Education
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Middle School Humanities Academic Director
role at
Explore Schools .
Location: Brooklyn, New York.
In-Person work required. This position is exempt and not eligible for overtime.
WHO WE ARE Explore Schools is a network of public charter schools providing 1,700 students in Brooklyn with the outstanding education they deserve. Our goal is to provide students with curriculum and instruction that is both standards‑aligned and culturally responsive. Our approach is designed to nurture students as critical thinkers and natural problem‑solvers. We are committed to disrupting and dismantling systems that perpetuate white supremacy. We intentionally seek to build a diverse and talented team that reflects students’ backgrounds and creates an inclusive environment for all employees.
WHAT WE BELIEVE We believe all children can learn in a rich environment full of high expectations, rigorous academics, and caring adults. Equity and excellence are not mutually exclusive; we meet the needs of all students while actively engaging parents and striving for excellent outcomes. We see it as our privilege and responsibility to close the opportunity gap in Brooklyn.
WHO YOU ARE Explore Schools seeks an experienced educational leader who demonstrates a drive toward excellence and is passionate about serving all students. The ideal candidate is an outstanding leader and manager of adults, who believes in and invests in developing talent, and possesses a strong understanding of academic rigor and effective instruction. Successful Academic Directors creatively implement solutions to ensure all students have the tools needed for college‑preparatory high schools and beyond. Additionally, you possess the following qualities:
Dedicated to working in communities that have historically been underserved and under‑resourced.
Committed to thoughtfully engaging in identity work to culturally respond in pedagogy and relationships with students and colleagues.
Exceptional strategic planning, prioritization, and execution skills.
Strong communicator, culture and relationship builder who actively engages and partners with families, staff, and students.
Outstanding content knowledge across grades 6‑8.
Demonstrated experience using data to set goals, measure success, and achieve exceptional student results.
4+ years of teaching experience, with experience coaching and/or managing adults required.
A master’s degree and administrative certification preferred.
WHAT YOU'LL DO The Middle School Academic Director is directly responsible for coaching, developing, and evaluating the teachers they supervise. Working closely with the school Principal, you will manage the following areas:
Leadership & Talent Management
Manage and supervise approximately 12 teachers across content areas, including regular coaching cycles, setting termly development goals, evaluating performance, and initiating performance improvement processes as needed.
Coach teachers through observation, feedback, co‑teaching, real‑time coaching, and lesson‑planning review.
Collaborate with the leadership team to identify academic priorities, set measurable goals, and monitor progress toward goals.
Plan and lead PLCs, grade‑level, and content teams focused on intellectual preparation of standards‑aligned content, reviewing student work and data to inform teaching, and identifying instructional, cultural, and operational needs.
Collaborate with ESI and cross‑network colleagues to lead programmatic and curricular implementation at your school and support network‑wide professional development days.
Participate in recruitment, selection, and retention of staff.
Consistently model Explore's operating values in written and verbal interactions with all members of our community.
Actively engage in identity work and conversations necessary to dismantle white‑supremacy culture.
Instructional Delivery and Student Support
Lead instructional initiatives as designated by the Principal by providing academic support to students and small groups, including direct instruction as needed.
Collaborate with the culture team to provide teacher support around behavioral systems and culturally relevant practices, and with the special populations leader to ensure all support services, related services, and intervention needs of students are met, including family communication, MTSS/RTI coordination, and teacher oversight.
Oversee teacher‑family connections, ensuring reports communicate and respond to families around academic and behavioral priorities.
Analyze school‑wide and grade‑level data regularly to design responsive student interventions.
Plan and lead instructional, non‑classroom initiatives such as family events/meetings, tutoring, after‑school clubs, and field trips.
Additional Responsibilities
Assist with non‑instructional supervision of students (arrival/dismissal, hallway monitoring, lunch & playground duty, or supervision/planning of extracurricular activities, and in case of an emergency).
Contribute to the overall success of the school and network by welcoming new requests, remaining aware of others’ demands, volunteering help when not asked, tracking approaching deadlines, and improving processes.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS Explore Schools staff members receive a competitive salary, paid time off including network shutdown days, significant matching of retirement contributions, and more.
The salary range for incoming Academic Directors is $100,000 – $125,000. This is the good‑faith range at posting.
Incoming salaries are determined based on experience and internal equity.
There is no salary cap; this range applies only to incoming staff.
This is a base salary and does not include additional compensation such as signing bonuses, additional time‑worked pay, stipends, leadership opportunities, or pay for specialized certifications and advanced degrees.
Additional benefits include:
A comprehensive benefits plan covering up to 95% of cost for employees and families; dental, vision, employer‑paid disability and life insurance, parental leave, flexible spending account options, generous vacation and paid holidays, professional development, continuing education scholarships, referral bonuses, employee assistance program, childcare assistance, a 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching, and more.
Flexible and collaborative leadership with dedicated staff development, team cohesion, and shared decision‑making.
Opportunities to serve on committees and participate in strategic planning initiatives.
Professional development: weekly PD, retreats, training, and coaching.
Continued education support: scholarship funds toward qualifying certification costs or higher‑education tuition.
LOCATION AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Explore Schools is a network of six charter schools located in Canarsie, Crown Heights, and Flatbush communities of Brooklyn, NY. Schools are fully in‑person. For this position:
In‑person work is required.
This is an exempt position and is not eligible for overtime.
The standard workweek is 45 hours, though more may be required.
The role requires standing for at least 5 hours a day, frequent stair use, and quick movement in emergencies.
The role requires lifting up to 15 pounds.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Explore Schools is an equal opportunity employer committed to a workplace free of discrimination. We do not discriminate on race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran or military status. If any employee or applicant believes they have been discriminated against, they should let Tiffany Williams know immediately.
JOB DETAILS
Seniority level:
Director
Employment type:
Full‑time
Job function:
Education and Training
Industry:
Primary and Secondary Education
#J-18808-Ljbffr