Director, Teaching & Learning - 5-8 ELA

Company Description

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing public charter schools dedicated to providing an exceptional K-12 education in economically disadvantaged communities. Operating in Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester, we are committed to closing the college completion gap and preparing every student for college and beyond. Our students consistently exceed national benchmarks, reflecting our dedication to their success. We invest deeply in our educators, offering weekly coaching, feedback, and professional development to ensure excellence in teaching and leadership. Join us to work hard, do good, and make a lasting difference!

Job Description

Are you passionate about developing young readers and writers? Uncommon Schools is seeking a Director of 5-8 ELA to lead the vision and strategy for English Language Arts across our network. In this role, you'll shape curriculum and assessments that reach thousands of students, coach school leaders across our regions, and drive measurable improvements in literacy outcomes. You'll work alongside a talented instructional team to ensure every student has access to high-quality, inclusive, and research-backed ELA instruction.

Duties & Responsibilities

Curriculum & Assessment Leadership

• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve network-wide ELA curriculum and assessment materials, ensuring they are research-aligned, error-free, diverse, and inclusive
• Analyze network assessment data to identify trends, recommend targeted interventions, and execute data-driven improvement initiatives
• Serve as the in-house ELA expert, leveraging knowledge of evidence-based practices to shape Uncommon's content strategy and recommend curriculum revisions

Professional Development & Coaching

• Design and facilitate content-based professional development for teachers, instructional leaders, and school administrators across all organizational levels
• Spend approximately 2 days per week coaching and supporting school leaders, regional staff, and network teams on ELA best practices
• Build content expertise across the organization by sharing research-backed strategies and supporting implementation at the school level

Strategic Initiatives & Collaboration

• Develop the vision for 5-8 ELA across Uncommon, including recommending strategic initiatives and planning professional development approaches
• Partner with other instructional teams, regional school leaders, and school-based leaders to develop and execute network-wide strategic priorities
• Lead the development and monitoring of key performance indicators (KPIs) and objectives related to ELA initiatives
• Collaborate with curriculum and assessment leaders across grade levels to ensure a cohesive K-12 instructional vision

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred
• 7–9 years of professional experience, with 7–9 years in directly relevant roles
• Demonstrated experience in teaching, school leadership, curriculum development, or comparable roles (e.g., teacher, Dean of Curriculum and Instruction, Principal, or similar positions at other organizations)
• Internal Uncommon experience in school operations or instructional leadership is a plus

What We're Looking For

• Strong ability to analyze data and translate findings into actionable improvement plans
• Demonstrated expertise in ELA content and evidence-based instructional practices
• Experience developing and delivering professional development to diverse audiences
• Excellent communication skills and ability to influence across organizational levels
• Strategic thinking and ability to balance long-term vision with operational execution
• Collaborative approach to working across teams and with external stakeholders

Additional Information

Our people are what make us Uncommon. We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits that support the personal health, wellness, and finances of our staff and their families. Our compensation philosophy values equity & fairness and attracting & retaining top talent.

Compensation for this position

The full compensation range for this role is $116,800-$146,000. Typically, new hires who fully meet all qualifications listed in the job description will start at $124,100. Starting compensation below this reflects candidates with less experience or qualifications. Offers near the top end of the range are reserved for candidates who significantly exceed the qualifications, bringing extensive experience and specialized expertise beyond what is listed.

Compensation determinations consider relevant professional experience and tenure with Uncommon Schools. Additionally, because we value internal growth and tenure, current staff members are not subject to salary caps within this range.

Benefit Highlights: 

• 19 days of paid time off
• 3 weeks of paid Winter and Summer org-wide holidays
• Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision insurance plans
• 403(b) retirement savings program + employer match
• Paid leave of absence options (parental, medical, disability, etc.)
• Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefits
• Pre-tax flexible spending, dependent care, and health saving accounts

*A detailed list of all benefits is located HERE.

At Uncommon, we believe that a supportive and welcoming environment helps our students, staff, and community thrive. We are dedicated to building a team that brings a wide range of perspectives and experiences, reflective of the communities we serve---with over 70% of our staff identifying as people of color. Our organization values respect and open dialogue on important topics that shape our school culture.

As an equal opportunity employer, Uncommon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We also ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions. If you would like to request an accommodation, please email recruitment@uncommonschools.org.