Director of Academics, Day Programs and Professional Development

The Director of Academics, Day Programs and Professional Development is a position with Programs for Talented Youth (PTY) at Vanderbilt University, Peabody College of education and human development and is responsible for overseeing all aspects of academic life for PTY day programs. PTY offers over 80 course opportunities through day programs during the summer and throughout the year. These programs are currently predominately designed for K-8 grade students. Instructors for day program courses vary and include area teachers and those in the VU community, including faculty, staff, and PhD students. The Director of Academics, Day Programs and Professional Development also provides leadership over professional development experiences, including conferences, consultation work with schools, and implementation of certificate-based trainings. 

The key role of the Director of Academics, Day Programs and Professional Development is to oversee the quality of academic experiences of students participating in any of PTY’s day program courses. The academic director role includes, but is not limited to supporting PTY instructors in course design, reviewing instructional plans to determine academic and developmental appropriateness for advanced and gifted learners based on grade level, providing professional development and ongoing support and coaching to program instructors prior to and during program implementation, managing seasonal academic staff, supporting academic life, and managing all aspects of instructional support requests, including managing the purchase and distribution of materials associated with all courses under the role’s scope. Reporting directly to the PTY Executive Director, the Director of Academics, Day Programs and Professional Development will collaborate and have a secondary indirect reporting line to the PTY’s Day Programs Director, to ensure the appropriate offering, selection, and delivery of accelerated and engaging courses in a variety of content areas and grade levels for programs under the program director’s purview.

About the Work Unit: 

Vanderbilt Programs for Talented Youth (PTY) works to develop talent in gifted and advanced students and those who work with them. PTY is part of Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of Education and is led by staff who are dedicated and experienced in providing evidence- supported talent development opportunities for academically advanced learners in a creative, supportive, and academically rigorous environment. PTY also supports families and educators in learning more about gifted and advanced students, including those from low-income and culturally diverse backgrounds through specially designed workshops, conferences, and coursework. Founded in 2000 under the vision and leadership of Dean Camilla Benbow, a protégé of Dr. Julian Stanley and founder of talent search programs, PTY is comprised of a dedicated, hard-working and passionate group of individuals.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

• Collaborate with PTY’s Day Program Director to retain seasonal instructors and to recruit experienced and knowledgeable instructors to teach in PTY day programs
• Interview and select instructors for academic year and summer day programs, in collaboration with the PTY Day Program Director
• Support instructors in developing accurate and engaging course descriptions within pre-established deadlines
• Oversee the review and vetting of available published curriculum in the field of gifted education that might be implemented in PTY programs; provide recommendations or curriculum to the Day Program Director and Executive Director
• Collaborate with the Day Program Director to develop a comprehensive, diverse, engaging, and instructionally appropriate repertoire of course offerings for academically advanced students participating in PTY day programs courses within the larger Vanderbilt community and world
• Work with the Day Program Director and Executive Director to determine the number of course offerings for a given program and the expectations for course offerings and instructional delivery
• Design and oversee systems for the timely acquisition and review of PTY day program instructors’ required submissions, including but not limited to, syllabi/lesson plans, welcome letter to students, course materials, course-packs and readings, use of computers and computer labs
• Manage the appropriate implementation of protection of minors policies and developmental appropriateness of curriculum/resources during syllabus/lesson plan audits and classroom observations
• Supervise a team of seasonal hourly staff members who support academic life for day programs
• Collaborate with PTY program directors and academic team members to ensure that each program follows similar procedures, professional development requirements, policies, and expectations for classroom instruction, as applicable
• Supervise all instructors across day programs, which includes regularly meeting with and observing instructors (pre-program and during the program) to support the development, design, and implementation of curricula that reflect best practices for academically advanced students
• Design, revise, and oversee data collection and course evaluation efforts for day programs; provide detailed findings to PTY Day Program Director and Executive Director with recommendations for ongoing success
• Oversee the purchasing and distribution of instructor materials, including making budgetary decisions around academic-related expenses
• Be physically present to support instructors during programs
• Oversee feedback and support to instructors in relation to the quality of all post course requirements including daily blog posts, course recaps, and individual student rubrics
• Oversee instructors and academic support staff in problem-solving and brainstorming strategies to engage students who are struggling in a course
• Along with other full-time program staff, collaborate as necessary to learn more about a student’s particular learning needs, discuss appropriate fit in a given course or PTY at large during and prior to program inception, and problem-solve potential appropriate accommodation options to
• help ensure student success
• Provide ongoing support to instructors and students, as necessary, to ensure students understand expectations, are involved in the academic experience, and have needs addressed when a struggle arises, including participation and attendance
• Job responsibilities listed herein are intended to be a thorough representation of the duties, responsibilities, expectations, and qualifications for this specific role at the time of hire but should not be considered all-encompassing as actual responsibilities may evolve to include additional duties as assigned based on organizational and operational needs.
• Oversee the design of engaging and relevant professional development sessions for instructors working for PTY day programs prior to program inception and throughout the program session, as needed
• Create instructional and behavior management resources, as applicable, to share with instructors based on their student needs
• Meet individually with PTY instructors pre-program and during the program to support the development and design of courses, including but not limited to, reviewing course objectives syllabi/lesson plans, reviewing key experiences/final projects, and suggesting ideas to enhance course content, rigor, pace and appropriateness for academically advanced and gifted learners
• Oversee a PTY instructor evaluation system, which includes observation of all day program classrooms and providing timely and constructive feedback and coaching based on observations
• Provide feedback to instructors, teaching assistants, and seasonal administrative staff in cultivating a positive climate and culture, a student-centered focus, and a quality learning experience
• Provide examples and model pedagogically appropriate strategies for academically advanced students
• Establish expectations, timelines, logistics, and policies for instructors, teaching assistants, and academic support staff under the purview of the academic director
• Oversee the organization, implementation, and teaching of the PTY Gifted Education Institutes and Employment Standard workshops, working with PTY leadership to secure guest speakers and to recruit, register, and communicate with attendees
• Lead professional development sessions during PTY’s Gifted Education Institutes or other requested teacher sessions
• Serve as the primary facilitator of PTY’s certificate-based programs and professional development offerings
• Collaborate with PTY Executive Director to implement local and national contracts and grants in schools and classrooms, as requested
• Other duties as assigned based on program and department needs.

 

Supervisory Relationships:

The Director of Academics, Day Programs and Professional Development supervises over 75 part-time seasonal staff during summer program implementation as well as part-time seasonal throughout the year.

This position reports administratively and functionally to PTY’s Executive Director and indirectly reports to PTY’s Day Program Director on matters impacting day programs.

Job responsibilities listed herein are intended to be a thorough representation of the duties, responsibilities, expectations, and qualifications for this specific role at the time of hire but should not be considered all-encompassing as actual responsibilities may evolve to include additional duties as assigned based on organizational and operational needs.

Education and Certifications

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education is necessary.
• Master’s degree in an education field is preferred.

 

Experience and Skills:

• 2 to 4 years of experience in elementary education teaching is necessary.
• At least 10 years of experience in elementary education teaching is preferred.
• At least 5 years of experience specifically working with gifted and/or high ability students is preferred.
• At least 3 years of coaching gifted education teachers, overseeing professional development related to gifted education, and/or serving as a school or district leader in instructional design for gifted is preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of gifted education with specific training or an endorsement in gifted education is required.
• Excellent written, organizational, and multitasking abilities are necessary.
• Clear and strong communication skills are necessary.
• Ability to maintain vibrant interpersonal connections while maintaining professionalism is necessary.
• Experience working with academically advanced elementary school students is preferred.
• Record of accomplishment of successfully leading and managing a college workforce is preferred.
• Experience in establishing and implementing protocols for the safety and security of minors is preferred.
• Ability to work with joy in a constantly evolving and dynamic office is necessary

At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice.

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