Program Officer, Teacher Eduation

The American Indian College Fund supports American Indian higher education, career objectives, scholarships, tribal colleges, and universities. The Program Officer, Teacher Education, leads implementation of the Native Teacher Education Program, strengthening teacher education pathways, student support, licensure preparation, recruitment, retention, and partnerships with tribal colleges and universities and Native communities.

Responsibilities:

• This position works directly with tribal colleges and universities’ Teacher Education programs to co-vision successful programming that increases the number of Native and rural teachers in classrooms, preferably on or near Indian reservations served by the TCUs. The Program Officer, Teacher Education, builds TCU-based capacity that focuses on all aspects of teacher education through graduation and certification including recruitment, retention, curriculum development, faculty development and support and student supports
• This position networks with partners and organizations engaged with teacher education and early childhood education including the American Indian Higher Education Consortium . In addition to teacher education programming, this position collaborates with College Fund teams and departments to strengthen TCU capacity and build excellent teacher education initiatives. This position involves extensive interaction with TCU partners including site visits as appropriate as well as joining TCUs at regional and national conferences pertinent to teacher education
• Manage work plans, budgets, agreements, partner guidance, risks, and reporting. Track progress toward program goals for teacher graduation, licensure, classroom employment, TCU course enhancement, , and Community of Practice engagement
• Manage eligibility, documentation, funding, and confidential participant records, including student name, year in program, type and amount of support, and term provided. Work with TCUs to strengthen early identification, developmental education support, capstone experiences, Praxis preparation and testing, student-teaching readiness, degree completion, and licensure
• Provide technical assistance on teacher education degree pathways and course enhancement with an emphasis on state licensure preparation. Provide a secondary emphasis on cultural and content knowledge in teacher education curriculum
• Facilitate the Indigenous Education Community of Practice, virtual learning, site visits, and in-person convenings on classroom management, developmental education, capstone design, licensure preparation, Indigenous pedagogy, and Native language integration
• Collaborate with TCU partners, the Native teacher advisors and communications to develop and implement campaigns that encourage and support increased participation by community members and students with teacher education
• Administer grantee, vendor, consultant, mentor, and fellow agreements; review invoices and expenditures; monitor budgets; coordinate travel and convening logistics; and prepare program updates for leadership, the Board, and funders
• Collaborate intra and inter departmentamentally to align and support the College Fund’s program capacity work within the College Fund, TCUs and other partners such as student support, evaluation, communications, fundraising, and partner engagement

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in education or related field
• Experience managing multi-partner grants, budgets, agreements, data, reporting, and measurable outcomes
• Knowledge of teacher preparation pathways, educator licensure, Praxis or comparable assessments, student support
• Understanding of Indigenous, culturally responsive, place-based, and Native language education
• Ability to build respectful relationships with TCUs, tribal communities, educators, students, school leaders, and partners
• Effective project management, facilitation, communication, problem-solving, data management, and technology skills
• At least five years of relevant experience in grant management, educator preparation, or multi-institution programs
• Experience working with Native communities, TCUs, tribal education departments, or Native-serving education organizations
• Preferred master's degree
• Experience with educator licensure, curriculum design, coaching or mentorship, recruitment and retention, Native language education, or program evaluation