Content Specialist (Ethnic Studies and the Arts)

WHO WE ARE

The mission of Envision Education is to transform the lives of students - especially those who will be the first in their family to attend college - by preparing them for success in college, career, and life. 

We accomplish our mission through our nationally replicated Portfolio Defense assessment model, which authentically measures the most important things students need in order to succeed in college and career: academic content, leadership skills, and deeper learning competencies such as reflection and growth mindset.  Portfolio Defense uniquely prepares students, particularly those who are historically underserved, to get into college and then to persist until they earn a degree. Envision is also differentiated by a focus on whole-child education that integrates rigorous academics, high-quality social-emotional learning, and critical cultural literacy. Read about our approach here.

We operate three high schools and two middle schools, serving approximately 1,500 students in the San Francisco Bay Area: 70% are low-income; 94% from communities of color; and 75% first generation college bound.  100% of our graduates are accepted to 2- or 4-year colleges, with 78% accepted to 4-year institutions.  What’s more, our students persist in college once they enroll. Our college persistence rate is 87% from first to second year, compared to the national average of 74%.  We also operate Envision Learning Partners, a coaching and training division working with schools across the country to adapt and adopt the Portfolio Defense model.  ELP is working with more than 1,000 educators in 30+ school networks and reaching more than 200,000 students.

Envision Education has made an explicit commitment to becoming an exemplar network of schools with an instructional and cultural vision rooted in an anti-racist and pro-Black framework. We believe that targeted universalism–focusing on the needs of a group that has historically been marginalized–will support not only that group, but everyone, and that being explicitly anti-racist and pro-Black is essential to changing the status quo for all of our students.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Content Specialist is a member of the Support Office Academics Team, and is charged with supporting teachers with delivering exemplary pedagogy to all students within their subject area of expertise. The Content Specialist provides leadership and assistance in implementing the essential curriculum, analyzing formative assessment data, and conducting staff development for enhancing teaching strategies with the goal of ensuring that every teacher is delivering rigorous, grade level appropriate instruction. The Content Specialist will also lead the development of aligned, network-wide unit and lesson plans, support instructional inquiry cycles, design and deliver exemplary professional development, and model lessons and pedagogical strategies in classrooms as needed. The highly successful candidate has a love of teaching and learning, deep content knowledge, expertise with designing standards-based curriculum and delivering rigorous instruction to diverse learner groups, and a passion for closing the opportunity gap for students. The Content Specialist (Ethnic Studies and the Arts) will report to the Director of Ethnic Studies.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Curriculum and Assessment

• Identify and support coherent resources and guidance for curriculum, instruction and assessment

  1. Backwards map curriculum, instruction, assessment from content standards and Envision’s Ethnic Studies Framework

  2. Cohere curriculum, instruction and assessment for teachers across grade levels and courses

  3. Align curriculum, instruction and assessment guidance to meet achievement targets

  4. Support 6th-12th grade vertical alignment in Ethnic Studies, Social Studies, History, and the Arts content areas

• Through adoption, adaptation, or creation, organize a shared curriculum for or with teachers in Ethnic Studies, Social Studies, History, and the Arts content areas for grades 6-12

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Instructional Coaching

• Develop and implement a teacher observation schedule for 5-7 teachers (including teachers in the Induction program)

• Implement regular teacher feedback and support meetings

• Model exemplary teaching in classrooms on an ongoing basis

• Participate in and support the planning of Data Stepbacks and School Reviews.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Professional Development 

• Design and lead professional development efforts for content area teachers and learning specialists that is aligned to the organization’s instructional vision

• Work with other members of the Academics Team on a learning arc for Principals and Vice Principals on actions that school leaders can take to support network-wide instructional priorities at schools

• Develop and implement June-August professional development for teachers

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Assessment Design & Implementation

• Design or organize system-wide assessments aligned to instructional vision and Envision’s Ethnic Studies Framework

• Support school leaders and teachers with the implementation of rigorous, data driven summative and formative assessments at the school level

• Manage the delivery of systems for teachers to use data in their planning and instruction and for that data to be shared with students

• In collaboration with other Instructional Leaders and Data & Assessment team, analyze academic performance data for patterns. Develop next steps

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Other duties as assigned by supervisor

QUALIFICATIONS

• Commitment to the mission of Envision Education.

• Commitment to anti-racist and pro-Black pedagogy.

• 5+ years as a highly successful teacher with a proven track record of breakthrough student achievement results.

• 5+ years of experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and/or under-resourced communities.

• Experience as a Grade Level or Department Chair (or equivalent) preferred

• Demonstrated experience using data to lead decision making processes

• Demonstrated experience delivering high quality instruction in a full inclusion Special Education setting

• Demonstrated experience training and supporting adult learners in a school based context

• Motivated, self-starter who is able to work independently and be a great team member

• Strong verbal, written and graphical communication skills

• Ability to deliver strong work and lead decision making, even in uncertainty and/or ambiguity.

COMPENSATION: This is a 12 month position. The starting salary range for this position is $80k - $90k. Salary and benefits are competitive and based on experience.

TO APPLY: Please submit your application, including a thoughtful cover letter at Envision Careers

As an equal opportunity employer, we believe deeply in diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all people. Envision recruits, employs, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, disability, age, veteran status, and the many other characteristics that make us diverse.