As the Director of Teacher Certification, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the growth and effectiveness of the teacher interns participating through the Houston ISD Alternative Certification Program. Through the management of Teacher Certification coordinators, the Director of teacher Certification will ensure the successful certification of teachers and teacher apprentices while maintaining compliance with TEA requirements. Your strategic vision and commitment to their success will empower them to lead with confidence.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborates with HISD senior leadership and the advisory council to spearhead the creation and execution of a strategic vision focused on enhancing support and fostering the development of HISD teachers, as well as providing professional support and promoting leadership within the organization.
• Supervise and manage a dedicated team focused on the certification of teacher interns, ensuring efficient and effective team operations.
• Develop and implement certification programs that meet regulatory and statutory requirements, tailored for the professional growth of teacher interns and oversee the certification process to ensure all teacher interns meet the TEA required qualifications and standards for certification.
• Collaborates with Texas Education Agency Division of Educator Certification leadership team to ensure program adherence to certification and accountability expectations in accordance with Texas Administrative Code (TAC) and other relevant standards and ensure that accurate educational program reporting occurs within state mandated timeframes.
• Collaborate with educational institutions and organizations to align certification programs with current educational needs and standards.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES CONTINUED

• Partner with the Operations & Support team to facilitate professional development workshops for teacher interns to enhance their skills and knowledge in pedagogy and subject matter expertise
• Collaborates with the recruitment team to create a recruiting campaign that attracts candidates into the program who meet the District’s screening criteria. Ensures effective admissions and onboarding of ACP candidates.
• Provide leadership and guidance to the Leadership & Professional Development team on best practices in adult education and professional.
• Collaborates with Student Support and Division Leadership to design and execute training and ongoing support for Principal, Counselor, and Educational Diagnostician candidates in professional ACPs so that candidates successfully earn professional certificates.
  

EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field;

Master's degree preferred

WORK EXPERIENCE

Instructional experience required
5 to 7 years of experience
School leadership experience preferred or 5 to 7 years relevant experience managing, motivating and leading a high-performance team;
Experience in the Professional Development field; knowledge of the dynamics specific to work with adult learners

SKILL AND/OR REQUIRED LICENSING/CERTIFICATION

Teacher Certification required (per TEA)
School Leader/Principal Certification preferred
Highly strategic, demonstrates the ability to respond dynamically to issues as they arise, while maintaining the integrity of a broader vision
Evidence and track record of success in increasing teacher effectiveness and student achievement
Excellent partnering and influence skills
Ability to interpret and analyze data
Microsoft Office; Office equipment (e.g., computer, copier)

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

Senior Management. Manages a department or multiple major disciplines, often through subordinate management. Regularly manages staff in the completion of large-scale projects or a very closely related set of projects/initiatives often spanning multiple disciplines. Receives strategies and broad departmental objectives from senior leadership; establishes operational objectives and work plans; delegates assignments to subordinate management and staff. Allocates resources according to priorities and serves as the primary decision maker regarding hiring, performance and budget recommendations.

WORK COMPLEXITY/INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT

Work is substantially complex, varied and regularly requires the selection and application of technical and detailed guidelines. Independent judgment is required to identify, select, and apply the most appropriate methods as well as interpret precedent. Position regularly makes recommendations to management on areas of significance to the department. Supervision received typically consists of providing direction on the more complex projects and new job duties and priorities.

BUDGET AUTHORITY

Compiles and organizes data and figures; participates in a group plan and/or budget development.

PROBLEM SOLVING

Decisions are made with greater freedom and discretion, including recommendations that are subject to approval on matters that may affect multiple departments across HISD. Job is frequently expected to recommend new solutions to problems, to improve existing methods/procedures/services and generate new ideas. May also review decisions made by other individuals on more routine matters.

IMPACT OF DECISIONS

Decisions have moderate impact to the facility/department or division, causing increased satisfaction or dissatisfaction; producing efficiencies or delays; certification/non-certification; promoting or inhibiting personal intellectual or professional development; and/or contributing to financial gain or expense. Errors may be serious, usually not subject to direct verification or check, causing losses such as improper cost calculations, over- payment or improper utilization of labor, materials or equipment, or improper program implementation as aligned with State certification guidelines. Effect usually confined to the organization itself and is short and long term.

COMMUNICATION/INTERACTIONS

Collaborate and solve problems - works with others to resolve problems, clarify or interpret complex information/ policies, and provide initial screening/negotiations without approval authority. Interactions are typically with customers, senior level professional staff, and managers.

CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS

Regularly assesses and diffuses complex, and escalated customer issues. Takes personal responsibility and accountability for solving systemic customer service problems. Regularly explores alternative and creative solutions to meeting the needs of the customer within HISD's policies and guidelines.

WORKING/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any hazardous or unpleasant elements.
Ability to carry and/or lift less than 15 pounds.