Assistant Superintendent
23 hours ago
Newark
Job Description:\n\n Assistant Superintendent\nMISSION:\nThe mission of Marion P. Thomas Charter School is to build culturally rich, transformative educational spaces that cultivate successful, lifelong innovators who use their passions, character, and intellect to better themselves, the greater Newark community, and the world beyond.\n\nWHO YOU ARE:\nYou are a visionary and systems-oriented educational leader who is committed to advancing academic excellence across all schools through high-quality curriculum, instruction, assessment, professional learning, and continuous improvement.\n\nYou are an instructional leader who builds the capacity of school leaders and teachers by fostering collaboration, ensuring accountability, and supporting the implementation of district priorities. You are skilled in using data to improve student outcomes, leading organizational change, ensuring compliance with state and federal requirements, and developing systems that promote equitable educational opportunities for all students.\n\nYou possess exceptional communication, organizational, and leadership skills and are committed to creating a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and academic excellence.\n\nSupervises:\nDistrict Academic Departments and Assigned Central Office Personnel\n\nWork Year: 12 Months\n\nPosition Summary\nThe Assistant Superintendent serves as the district's Chief Academic Officer and as a member of the Superintendent's Executive Leadership Team. The position provides executive leadership, strategic direction, and oversight for curriculum, instruction, assessment, professional learning, school improvement, academic accountability, and continuous improvement across Marion P. Thomas Charter School. In collaboration with the Superintendent, the Assistant Superintendent helps develop and implement district goals, strategic priorities, Board initiatives, and organizational improvement efforts that promote high levels of student achievement and organizational excellence.\n\nThe Assistant Superintendent assists the Superintendent in providing leadership and support to school administrators while supervising assigned central office academic personnel. The position collaborates with district leaders to implement the Board's vision, strategic priorities, and organizational goals through high-quality instructional leadership, data-driven decision-making, and operational excellence.\n\nThe Assistant Superintendent oversees district curriculum, instructional programming, assessment systems, professional development, leadership development, charter accountability, New Jersey Department of Education compliance, grant implementation, academic partnerships, and continuous improvement initiatives while ensuring alignment among curriculum, instruction, assessment, and student achievement.\n\nThe successful candidate demonstrates exceptional instructional leadership, strategic planning, organizational management, and the ability to build collaborative relationships that promote academic excellence and student success.\n\nEssential Responsibilities\nDistrict Academic Leadership & Instructional Oversight\n\nServe as the district leader responsible for curriculum, instruction, assessment, academic programming, and instructional improvement across all schools.\nDevelop, implement, and monitor a coherent PreK–12 instructional vision aligned with New Jersey Student Learning Standards, charter goals, Board priorities, and the district strategic plan.\nProvide executive leadership for curriculum development, curriculum adoption, instructional frameworks, pacing guides, intervention systems, and academic programming.\nEnsure alignment among curriculum, instruction, assessment, professional learning, and student achievement.\nLead districtwide instructional improvement initiatives designed to increase student achievement, eliminate achievement gaps, and improve educational outcomes.\nAnalyze district, school, subgroup, and student performance data, including state assessments, benchmark assessments, interim assessments, graduation indicators, and growth measures to guide instructional decision-making.\nDevelop and monitor district academic performance goals and accountability measures.\nEstablish systems to monitor instructional quality, implementation fidelity, curriculum alignment, and classroom effectiveness.\nConduct instructional program reviews and implementation monitoring to assess effectiveness and recommend continuous improvement strategies.\nMonitor implementation of Board-approved instructional initiatives and strategic priorities.\nRecommend instructional innovations, evidence-based practices, and educational technologies that improve teaching and learning.\nCollaborate with the Superintendent and executive leadership team to develop district academic priorities and annual improvement plans.\n\nSchool Leadership Support & Development\n\nAssist the Superintendent in providing instructional leadership, guidance, and support to school principals and other administrators.\nSupport implementation of district academic priorities, Board goals, and strategic initiatives across all schools.\nConduct regular school visits, instructional walkthroughs, learning walks, and classroom observations to monitor implementation of district curriculum, instructional initiatives, and school improvement efforts.\nReview instructional practices, assessment results, school performance indicators, and implementation data to identify strengths, trends, and areas requiring additional support.\nProvide coaching, consultation, and professional support to school administrators regarding curriculum, instruction, assessment, school improvement planning, organizational effectiveness, and educational best practices.\nAssist the Superintendent in developing leadership capacity through coaching, mentoring, and professional learning.\nSupport implementation of district accountability systems that assist school leaders in achieving academic goals and organizational priorities.\nAssist principals with school improvement planning, Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), intervention systems, instructional programming, and school culture initiatives.\nAssist the Superintendent in planning and facilitating principal leadership meetings focused on instructional priorities, student achievement, compliance, and continuous improvement.\nProvide recommendations to the Superintendent regarding instructional practices, school performance, leadership development, and district improvement initiatives.\n\nCentral Office Academic Leadership\n\nSupervise, develop, and evaluate assigned central office academic personnel responsible for curriculum, instruction, assessment, professional learning, multilingual learner programs, federal programs, instructional technology, and other assigned academic initiatives.\nEstablish clear expectations, measurable goals, and performance standards for assigned academic departments.\nFoster collaboration among Curriculum and Instruction, Special Services, Student Services, Human Resources, Operations, Finance, Technology, Enrollment, and school leadership to ensure coordinated implementation of district priorities.\nDevelop systems that promote efficiency, communication, accountability, continuous improvement, and high-quality customer service.\nCoordinate cross-functional initiatives that support teaching, learning, and student achievement.\nAssist in the development and monitoring of academic program budgets in collaboration with the School Business Administrator and Superintendent.\nEnsure assigned departments maintain compliance with Board policy, New Jersey Administrative Code, federal regulations, and charter requirements.\n\nCurriculum, Instruction & Assessment\n\nLead the development, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of district curriculum and instructional programs.\nEnsure curriculum alignment with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards, district priorities, and evidence-based instructional practices.\nOversee district assessment systems, including:\n\nNJSLA\nNJGPA\nACCESS for ELLs\nStart Strong (if applicable)\nDynamic Learning Maps (DLM)\nBenchmark Assessments\nInterim Assessments\nCommon Formative Assessments\nProgress Monitoring Systems\n\nAnalyze districtwide assessment results and provide recommendations for instructional improvement.\nDevelop district academic dashboards and performance reports for the Superintendent, Board of Trustees, and school leaders.\nConduct instructional walkthroughs, learning walks, and program observations to monitor implementation of district curriculum, instructional initiatives, and school improvement efforts.\nPromote consistent instructional expectations across all schools.\nSupport implementation of Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), intervention programs, enrichment opportunities, and acceleration initiatives.\nRecommend curriculum revisions, instructional resources, and innovative instructional practices based on student performance data and educational research.\nEnsure compliance with all New Jersey Department of Education curriculum, assessment, and instructional requirements.\n\nMonitor academic trends and develop improvement strategies.\n\nProfessional Development & Talent Development\n\nDesign and oversee a comprehensive district professional development plan aligned with strategic priorities, district goals, and identified staff needs.\nLead professional learning for teachers, instructional coaches, administrators, and central office personnel.\nDevelop differentiated professional learning opportunities based on student achievement data, classroom observations, and district initiatives.\nOversee the development and implementation of the New Teacher Academy, including onboarding, mentoring, induction, coaching, and ongoing professional support.\nDevelop administrator professional learning focused on instructional leadership, data analysis, curriculum implementation, coaching, and continuous improvement.\nEstablish systems that strengthen teacher effectiveness, instructional quality, leadership development, and employee retention.\nPromote professional learning communities that support collaboration, reflection, innovation, and continuous improvement.\nEvaluate the effectiveness of professional development programs using participant feedback, implementation data, and student achievement outcomes.\nPartner with school leaders to identify professional learning needs based on student data and instructional observations.\n\nLeadership Pipeline Development\n\nDevelop and oversee the district leadership development program, including the MPTCS Leadership Lab (formerly Aspiring Leaders Academy).\nIdentify, mentor, and prepare emerging instructional leaders for future leadership opportunities.\nDesign leadership development programming focused on:\n\nInstructional Leadership\nSchool Improvement\nOrganizational Leadership\nData Analysis\nTeacher Coaching\nSchool Culture\nEducational Law and Policy\nOperations and Compliance\nStrategic Planning\nEquity and Continuous Improvement\n\nCollaborate with Human Resources on leadership succession planning and talent development.\nEstablish leadership competencies and professional growth pathways for aspiring administrators.\n\nCharter Accountability, Compliance & State Reporting\n\nAssist the Superintendent in coordinating and completing the annual New Jersey Charter School Annual Report.\nCoordinate the collection, validation, analysis, and submission of academic data required by the New Jersey Department of Education, the Charter School Program Office, federal agencies, and other regulatory organizations.\nEnsure timely completion of all academic state reports, charter accountability reports, grant reports, and regulatory submissions.\nMonitor district compliance with New Jersey statutes, administrative code, Board policy, charter requirements, ESSA, Title programs, and other federal and state regulations related to curriculum, instruction, assessment, and academic programming.\nCoordinate district responses, monitoring activities, evidence collection, and corrective action plans resulting from state monitoring visits, charter reviews, or audits.\nCollaborate with school leaders to ensure timely completion of all required reports, compliance documentation, and accountability measures.\nMonitor district performance indicators and recommend strategies to improve academic performance and organizational effectiveness.\nAdvise the Superintendent regarding legislative changes, NJDOE initiatives, regulatory updates, and emerging educational trends affecting curriculum, instruction, assessment, and accountability.\nCoordinate district preparation for charter renewal, state monitoring, accreditation reviews, and other accountability processes.\nEnsure compliance with all testing security procedures, assessment accommodations, and state reporting timelines.\n\nGrants & External Funding\n\nSupport the development and implementation of grants aligned with district strategic priorities and instructional goals.\nCollaborate with district leadership in the development of competitive grant applications that expand educational opportunities for students and staff.\nOversee implementation, compliance, evaluation, and reporting requirements for academic grants.\nCollaborate with the Business Office and grant managers to ensure grant budgets, expenditures, reporting requirements, and program deliverables are completed accurately and on time.\nMonitor grant-funded programs to ensure fidelity of implementation and measurable outcomes.\nDevelop partnerships that expand instructional resources, innovative programming, and professional learning opportunities.\n\nAcademic Partnerships & Postsecondary Opportunities\n\nDevelop and maintain collaborative partnerships with colleges, universities, community organizations, nonprofit agencies, and educational organizations.\n\nExpand dual enrollment opportunities and college credit-bearing experiences for students.\nDevelop programs that increase student access to advanced coursework, internships, career pathways, and enrichment opportunities.\n\nPromote college and career readiness initiatives aligned with district goals.\n\nStudent Programs, Enrichment & Academic Experiences\n\nProvide leadership and oversight for district academic enrichment opportunities, including:\n\nAcademic Competitions\nSTEM Programs\nExperiential Learning Opportunities\nStudent Leadership Programs\nSummer Learning Opportunities\nAcademic Intervention and Enrichment Programs\n\nEnsure all student experiences align with district instructional priorities, student learning outcomes, safety requirements, and Board policy.\nPromote equitable access to academic enrichment opportunities across campuses.\n\nDistrict Strategic Planning & Academic Operations\n\nAssist the Superintendent in developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating the district Strategic Plan.\nCoordinate districtwide academic initiatives and annual