Instructional Support Leader – Elementary Schools (SY24-25)

The Providence Public School District (PPSD) serves approximately 22,000 students (about the seating capacity of Madison Square Garden) attending our 37 schools. PPSD employs more than 3,200 professionals who work in and provide support to our schools, which include 20 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, 11 high schools, and 2 public district charter schools. Of our employees, about 2,000 are educators, and over 600 others directly support our schools’ students and families.

Our schools are diverse learning communities. Approximately 68% of our students are Latinx, 15% Black, 7% White, 4% Asian, 5.5% Multi-racial and 1% Native American. Approximately 40% of students are multilingual, and about 16% receive special education services. Approximately 55% of students come from homes where English is not the primary language spoken. Our students and families speak more than 55 languages and hail from 91 countries of origin.

The Instructional Support Leader (hereinafter referred to as ISL) plays a key role in supporting the Director of Instructional Supports in providing instructional leadership and supports to assigned schools, leaders, teacher leaders, and teachers within the network. 

The ISL is responsible for supporting site-based leaders and teachers with implementing standards-based, on grade level instruction. As part of their duties, they oversee and support academic initiatives in schools to ensure students are college and career ready. Through various methods of job-embedded professional development, the ISL provides daily, on-site coaching support to build the capacity of the instructional leadership team in schools. 

The ISL demonstrates a deep belief in the capacity of all students to achieve at high levels, shows strong instructional expertise and can work with diverse leaders and teachers to improve student achievement.

• Contingent upon funding***

EDUCATION TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in education, or a related field required;
• 5 years of outstanding teaching or related experience with a record of successfully impacting student language acquisition and cultural understanding

RIDE Requirements:

Rhode Island District Level Administrator Certificate – Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment and/or Building Level Administrator and one or more of the following: 

• Any RI Content Certification
• ESL Preferred
• Right to Read Proficiency within one year of hire

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS STANDARDS:

• Must be able to work cooperatively and effectively with other school personnel, district staff, parents, and community members.
• Demonstrate superior problem-solving ability involving students, teachers, parents, administrators, and the public.
• Knowledge of or experience teaching or leading teachers using Common Core State Standards.
• Strong language, analytical, reasoning, and communication skills required.
• Experience working in public schools preferred.
• Experience in large, urban district would be great to have on the team.
• Bilingual or Multilingual preferred

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND CURRICULAR LINKAGES:

This role is an exciting opportunity to serve as a leader within a diverse and dynamic team committed to transforming public education in the Providence Public School District (PPSD). We are hiring someone who believes in all students’ capacity to achieve at high levels and can work collaboratively with a diverse set of partners and stakeholders to drive transformative change within and outside of the organization. 

We’re looking for someone to:

Specific Duties: 

• Coach, develop, and support members of the site-based instructional leadership team in assigned schools to ensure on-grade level, standards-based instruction.
• Provide additional supervisory and evaluation support for school-based staff members depending on the needs of schools and network priorities.
• Support school and district personnel in interpreting student performance by disaggregating and analyzing formative and summative assessment data and working with members of the school’s leadership team to determine appropriate next steps.
• Develop systems to monitor school academic performance across the network of schools to ensure appropriate progress monitoring of key performance indicators used to drive improvement efforts.
• Facilitate Professional Learning Experiences with teacher leaders within similar subject areas across multiple schools.
• Participate in Professional Learning Communities as a thought-partner with teachers to build capacity and provide instructional support.
• Provide relevant and necessary professional development learning sessions to assist appropriate site-based personnel and members of the school’s leadership team.
• Attend relevant meetings including professional conferences and lead/facilitate committees or workgroups related to improving student learning outcomes.
• Provides on-site support to administrators with teacher observations and quality feedback, calibrating as necessary leading to improved teaching and learning.
• Supports start of school planning and goal setting during the summer to prepare for future school years.
• Available after hours as needed to provide additional support to schools.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities: 

• Customer Service: Provides high-quality service, support and interventions to site-based leaders and instructional personnel.
• Instructional Expertise: Conducts high-quality classroom observations, identifies effective teaching practices and understands pedagogy that results in improved student learning.
• Use of data: Uses data to differentiate instructional supports and interventions.
• Equipment Operation: Operates personal computer, basic office equipment and equipment related to area assigned.
• Achievement Focus: Sets challenging goals, demonstrates persistence, and overcomes obstacles to achieve goals.
• Equity: Exhibits a commitment to equity and creates a sense of urgency to close achievement gaps.
• Demonstrated ability to deal with sensitive and difficult situations and information; in interpersonal problem-solving, decision-making and leadership skills; to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing and to manage and work with a team to accomplish mission and goals. Ability to maintain confidentiality with sensitive information.

Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director of Professional Learning. 

Please submit the following with your application:

1. A cover letter detailing your interest in Providence Public Schools and how your professional experience has prepared you for this role is recommended, but not required. The priority deadline for applying is one week from the posting date. 

2. A Written Prompt: Explain your educational vision and philosophy (300 words or less). Include the following sentence starters:

• I (do/do not) believe that all students can learn at high levels because…
• I (do/do not) believe in holding people accountable for high expectations and high standards in instruction and curriculum by…
• Based on your statements, provide a theory of action for each area. (each 250 words or less).

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