Director of Democratic Education at UPMC

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

02 Jan, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

04 Oct, 25

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Democratic Education, Social Justice, Curriculum Development, School Improvement, Faculty Development, Student Discipline, Community Relations, Communication Skills, Organizational Change, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Leadership, Collaboration, Trust Building, Professional Development

Industry

Hospitals and Health Care

Description

Falk Laboratory School, a coeducational K-8 school in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, seeks a full-time Director of Democratic Education (DODE). This is an exciting opportunity for a visionary professional to shape strategy related to democratic education and justice work in a K-8 laboratory school. This is a 12-month position with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2026. Responsibilities and Duties: Instruction and Implementation Collaborate with Falk faculty in developing and implementing inclusive, social-justice-focused curricula and programs at all grade levels. Coordinate and teach social justice lessons for middle school students. Develop and implement a social justice curriculum for K-5 classrooms. School Strategy With the Director and other members of the administrative leadership team, build a shared vision for school improvement with faculty and staff. Oversee the planning of activities and putting programs in place to ensure the attainment of the School’s progressive educational mission and philosophy surrounding justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Identify, analyze, and apply research findings (e.g., practical school correlates) to promote school improvement. Chairs search committees to fill teaching vacancies within the middle school division and works with the leadership team to orient new faculty to the School and its culture/systems. Communicate with the various constituencies that make up the School community. In collaboration with the Director and administrative leadership team, work to establish goals for and plan professional development activities and weekly faculty meetings. Contribute to the school’s long-term faculty and staff recruitment and retention strategy. Student and Family Concerns Develop effective and trusting working relationships with Falk students, faculty, staff, and families, and help the community respond meaningfully to diversity and equity-related issues as they arise, particularly within the student body. Ensure student discipline is appropriate, equitable, and just, and follow the Student/Family Handbook and Code of Conduct, as well as within Falk’s progressive educational mission and ethos. Conduct conferences about student and school issues with parents, students, and teachers. School and Community Relations Build relationships with diversity coordinators and leaders at other schools—both independent and public—as well as the University of Pittsburgh Office of Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Build relationships with off-campus cultural resource organizations to support the learning experiences of Falk’s students. Confidently articulate and share the school’s progressive mission, vision, and values with and to the community. Demonstrate awareness of school and community needs and initiate activities to meet those needs. Use appropriate and practical techniques to advance inclusion and belonging for all. Assist with prospective family school tours during the admissions season. Attend admissions and/or advancement-related outreach events and activities, such as the welcome back family picnic, parent night, prospective parent information events (daytime and/or evening, where applicable), family nights, reunions, and so on. Professional/Personal Demeanor, Comportment, and Growth Continue developing and attaining the necessary professional skills appropriate to the senior leader position in a school setting. Demonstrate professional, ethical, and responsible behavior at all times. Serve as a role model/exemplar for all faculty and staff. Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills and have the ability to lead meetings with a variety of stakeholders. Additional Other duties as assigned. Working Conditions: Maintain emotional control under stress; frequent prolonged and irregular hours, with the ability to be on call in high-intensity/crises after-hours. This role requires the individual to move around the school to various rooms frequently. Minimum requirements Being an experienced and visionary practitioner in leading transformative, organizational change through a social justice lens Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree preferred. Strong preference will be given to individuals who have experience in one or more of the following: Administrative and/or program management; classroom teaching; working with students in grades K-8 Salary range is competitive and commensurate with experience. Falk Laboratory School, a department in the School of Education at the University of Pittsburgh, offers excellent benefits. Please direct questions to the search committee chair, Dr. Jill Sarada, at jill.sarada@pitt.edu. The review of applications will begin in late fall/winter of 2025. This is a 12-month position with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2026. Materials can be uploaded to join.pitt.edu. For full consideration, please submit: 1. Letter of application 2. A Resume 3. An educational philosophy 4. Three recent letters of recommendation (not older than two years) 5. Unofficial transcripts (candidates may be requested to provide official transcripts at the time of hire) 6. Copy of PA instructional certificate or equivalent Offer of employment is contingent on the candidate satisfactorily obtaining and passing the following before commencement of appointment: Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Child Abuse History Clearance, Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check, and FBI Criminal Record Check. Candidates must also submit proof of a negative TB test before their first work day. Also, as Act 168 of 2014 requires, the candidate must satisfy the requirements on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Education Sexual Misconduct/Abuse Disclosure Release Form.

Responsibilities

The Director of Democratic Education will collaborate with faculty to develop inclusive curricula and oversee school improvement strategies. They will also build relationships within the community and ensure equitable student discipline.