Associate Director of Humanities

At Rocketship Public Schools, we believe in the infinite possibility of human potential. We believe that every student deserves the right to dream, to discover, and to develop their unique potential and it is our responsibility and our privilege to unleash the potential inside every Rocketeer we serve. Our non-profit network of public elementary charter schools propels student achievement, develops exceptional educators, and partners with parents who enable high-quality public schools to thrive in their community. We are a collective of parents, teachers, leaders, and students working together to transform the future for underserved communities across our country. At Rocketship Public Schools, we are unleashing potential.

Position Description

The Academics Team is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Associate Director of Humanities to support high-quality, rigorous, and equitable literacy and humanities instruction across Rocketship Tennessee schools.

This role partners closely with regional and national team members and school leaders to strengthen instructional practice and improve student outcomes in humanities, literacy, and social studies.

The Associate Director of Humanities provides direct instructional leadership and coaching support to 3–5 Tennessee schools, ensuring strong implementation of Rocketship’s Humanities instructional vision and core programs. This role collaborates closely with regional leadership and school-based instructional teams and reports to the Senior Director of Schools.

Below are the essential functions:

Coaching & Leader Development:
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Build instructional capacity among school and instructional leaders through targeted coaching and development in Humanities instruction.

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Provide direct coaching to school leaders and instructional leaders focused on literacy, ELA instruction, and teacher development

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Observe classroom instruction and planning, delivering actionable feedback aligned to Rocketship’s Humanities vision and instructional standards

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Develop leaders’ ability to coach teachers effectively and drive improvements in reading, writing, and discourse

Program Implementation & Fidelity:
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Ensure strong implementation of Rocketship’s Humanities curriculum and instructional model.

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Support schools in executing core ELA and humanities programs with fidelity to instructional design and pacing

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Adapt pacing and instructional guidance aligned to Tennessee standards, school calendars, and regional priorities

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Curate and share high-quality instructional resources, texts, exemplars, and planning tools

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Lean in to teach students directly or model for teachers as needed.

Progress Monitoring & Instructional Effectiveness:
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Monitor the effectiveness of Humanities instruction and student outcomes across schools.

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Support leaders in using assessment data (reading, writing, and comprehension) aligned to grade-level standards

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Analyze student achievement and implementation data to identify trends and areas for targeted support

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Provide clear insights and recommendations to regional leaders to inform instructional decisions

Regional Collaboration, Vision & Goal-Setting:
Partner with regional leadership to drive a strong Humanities vision and aligned goals.

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Collaborate to define and refine the regional Humanities instructional vision and success metrics

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Support schools in setting ambitious literacy and humanities goals and tracking progress

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Ensure alignment with Rocketship’s Core Model and broader instructional priorities

Professional Development & Regional Learning:
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Design and facilitate impactful professional learning experiences.

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Design and lead engaging professional development for teachers, leaders, and instructional staff in literacy and humanities

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Identify regional learning priorities using both qualitative and quantitative data

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Support summer training and beginning-of-year professional development

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Collaborate with national partners to execute on RPS priorities and core model while working in partnership to make an adjustments necessary that are region specific

Core Characteristics:
• Successful candidates will demonstrate Rocketship’s core characteristics in their leadership and instructional practice:

• Pursuit of Excellence – Continuously improves outcomes through data, feedback, and reflective practice

• Authenticity – Leads with transparency, humility, and alignment to Rocketship’s values

• Community – Builds strong relationships and values collective impact across schools and teams

• Tenacity – Relentlessly pursues instructional goals in service of student success

• Innovation – Challenges the status quo and takes responsible risks to improve instruction

Qualifications:
Experience

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3–5 years of progressively responsible experience in instructional leadership, curriculum, or school leadership

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At least 3 years of K–5 lead teaching experience in a core Humanities area (ELA/literacy preferred) with strong student outcomes

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At least 1 year of experience coaching or leading adults

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Experience implementing high-quality literacy or humanities curricula strongly preferred

Skills

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Strong instructional coaching and adult learning facilitation skills

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Excellent organizational and project management skills

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Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data to drive instructional decisions

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Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

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Proficiency with Google Workspace

Education

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Bachelor’s degree required

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Master’s degree preferred (Education or a related field)

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and communicate with both adults and children. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally climb ladders. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to high.

Compensation:
Commensurate with qualifications and experience, plus excellent health and wellness benefits, 403b retirement plan, flexible spending account (FSA), and generous paid time off.

Rocketship Public Schools provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Rocketship Public Schools complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Rocketship Public Schools expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Rocketship Public Schools’ employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated. Click here for our Sexual Harassment Policy. For questions, concerns, or complaints, please contact Human Resources.