Job Description

Danbury Public Schools is a diverse community located in the western part of Connecticut and serving more than 11,000 students spread across the City of Danbury, Connecticut. We are committed to cultivating equity and excellence for all of our students, closing the opportunity gaps, and preparing students for post-secondary success. The mission of Danbury Public Schools, in partnership with families and the community, is to provide transformational learning experiences, designed to nurture thoughtful and prepared graduates. We have set very ambitious and rigorous goals to assure that our students graduate prepared to transform our world, and we are always searching for staff who are committed to our mission and the success of our students. Our schools range from 13 different and unique elementary schools including an interdistrict magnet school for International Studies, to three middle schools, including an intradistrict magnet school focused on STEM and World Studies, to our flagship Danbury Career Academies that are transforming how we deliver education to students with a wide range of interests taught by a faculty with real world and academic experiences. DPS recruits and commits to educators with passion, who are committed to our vision to aspire to advance all learners to their highest potential.

Our schools range from 13 unique elementary schools, including an interdistrict magnet school for International Studies, to three middle schools, including an intradistrict magnet school focused on STEM and World Studies, to our flagship Danbury Career Academies, which are transforming how we deliver education to students with a wide range of interests through instruction provided by faculty with real-world and academic experience. DPS recruits and commits to educators with passion who are committed to our vision of advancing all learners to their highest potential.

The position of STEM Administrator joins three additional K-12 Curriculum Administrators in the areas of Humanities/ELA, World Language/Bilingual, and SRBI and School Support, who together perform a variety of supervisory and administrative roles to oversee successful program implementation and assessment monitoring across all sites and schools districtwide.

The STEM Administrator serves as a member of the District's Curriculum Development Team (CDT) and, as such, facilitates communication between building-level administrators and staff to ensure effective implementation of STEM curriculum, instruction, programming, and assessment. Additionally, this Administrator vertically articulates and collaborates under the direction of the Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Academy Programming, and with other Curriculum Administrators, building-level administrators, Supervisors, Coaches, Department Heads, and district student services departments in an effort to continuously improve programs of study and strengthen services to students and families, with particular focus on meeting District needs in alignment with K-12 STEM programs.

Reports to:
Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Academy Programming

Direct reports:
STEM Department Heads & Coordinators (primary), Instructional Coaches (secondary)

Duties and Responsibilities:

• As a member of CDT, provides leadership to assure alignment among district STEM-related curriculum, the District's coherence plan, Portrait of the Graduate, and state and national standards, including applicable science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and computer science standards.
• Develops, coordinates, and monitors assessments, programs, and instructional priorities for STEM-related academic programs and oversees implementation of existing and new curriculum initiatives districtwide.
• Supports the development and implementation of innovative, inquiry-based, project-based, and interdisciplinary STEM-related learning experiences that promote critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, collaboration, and real-world application.
• Develops professional learning opportunities related to STEM-related standards, content, instructional practices, assessment, and evidence-based pedagogical approaches.
• Assists in the evaluation and assessment of the effectiveness of current STEM-related academic programs and their impact on student achievement across K-12 programs. Assists in conceptualizing, initiating, and implementing new programs in identified and targeted areas as needed.
• Works closely to supervise effective coaching and support from STEM Department Heads and Instructional Coaches, and evaluates Department Head and coaching effectiveness with attention to consistency and fidelity across all schools.
• Coordinates and supports the development of vertically aligned STEM-related programming from elementary through high school, including opportunities for interdisciplinary learning, career-connected learning, college and career readiness, and authentic real-world applications.
• Collaborates with building Administrators to assess needs and develop individualized plans to address identified building-level STEM-related priorities.
• Coordinates with other Curriculum Administrators, program support staff, and administrators to provide vertically aligned instruction that meets the goals of the District coherence plan, with particular focus on STEM-related instruction and programming.
• Works closely with the Administrator for Data, Assessment & Research, content-based Curriculum Administrators who impact STEM-related instruction, and building Administrators to review data, assess program and implementation effectiveness, and provide strategies for targeted improvement.
• Supports the development and expansion of STEM-related pathways, enrichment opportunities, and partnerships that promote student engagement and access to STEM-related learning experiences and careers.
• Collaborates with the Danbury Career Academies and other district programs to strengthen connections between K-12 STEM-related instruction, career pathways, post-secondary opportunities, and workforce readiness.
• Supports the integration of technology, engineering design, computational thinking, and other innovative instructional practices across STEM-related programs, as appropriate.
• Assists in the observation and evaluation of certified staff members using the District's Teacher Evaluation Plan.
• Provides input and coordination in the development of differentiated and meaningful professional development for certified staff.
• Supports the monitoring and evaluation of STEM-related resources, materials, equipment, and program needs, including department-level budget planning and resource allocation.
• Lead the administration of the districts Perkins Grant and other related state/federal/private grants, as applicable.
• Develop and monitor programs aligned to Perkins and other state/federal/private grants for compliance and determined outcomes.
• Ensure that all grants planning, documentation and reporting are compliant with state/federal/private guidelines including appropriate stakeholder engagement and documentation of impact.
• Such other assignments as directed by the Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Academy Programming.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in education; doctorate preferred. Graduate work in STEM-related education, curriculum development, instruction, assessment, science, technology, engineering, mathematics, computer science, or a related field preferred.
• Certificates: 092 Intermediate Administration and Supervision.
• Two to three years of demonstrated leadership experience, including but not limited to one or more of the following: data team, instructional leadership team, group leader, lead teacher, department leadership, STEM-related program leadership, or building administrator.
• Demonstrated commitment to the development and implementation of high-quality STEM-related programming and instruction.
• Two to three years of experience conducting walk-throughs, formal and informal observations, and evaluations of certified staff members.
• Two to three years of experience in student data analysis. Familiarity with DataWise or a similar model preferred.
• Experience with budgeting at the department level or higher.
• Knowledge of current research, trends, and best practices in STEM-related education, including inquiry-based, project-based, interdisciplinary, and experiential learning.
• Ability to communicate effectively and to problem solve and resolve conflicts between leaders of academic priorities.
• Commitment to systems-based approaches to organizational change.

Terms and Conditions:

• Salary range as per DSAA Administrative Contract - 214-day work year.
• Terms and conditions of employment as further described in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Danbury School Administrators Association and the Danbury Board of Education, a copy of which can be found on the District website at www.danbury.k12.ct.us under the District/Human Resources tabs.