Academic Rigor and Curriculum Lead

Excel Prep; Champaign (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Professional development

Competitive compensation

Job summary

ExcelPrep in Chicago seeks a Curriculum and Academic Rigor Lead to ensure top-tier instructional design and alignment with student learning goals. The role champions neurodiverse inclusion and evidence-based practices while guiding teachers and interventionists across grade levels.

The incumbent will lead curriculum development, pacing, progress monitoring, and fidelity checks, collaborating with clinical teams to integrate behavioral and communication targets.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to lead instructional design and align with student goals.
• Experience with evidence-based interventions and progress monitoring.
• Strong skills in data-based decision making and staff coaching.
• Experience training or supervising educators and intervention staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, implementation, and monitoring of academic frameworks.
• Coach and develop teachers and interventionists with fidelity to DI and performance data.
• Align curriculum with equity, precision, and neurodiverse inclusion goals.
• Collaborate with clinical and administrative teams to integrate goals.

Skills

Instructional leadership

Data analysis

DI methodologies

Coaching

Education

Master’s degree in Education

Master’s degree in Curriculum & Instruction

Job description

ExcelPrep is a neurodiverse-inclusive private school that integrates Direct Instruction, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), and Precision Teaching to accelerate learner outcomes. The Curriculum and Academic Rigor Lead ensures that ExcelPrep’s academic programming meets the highest standards of instructional excellence, alignment with student learning goals, and fidelity to evidence-based practice.

This leader will coach, develop, and evaluate teachers and interventionists while guiding the academic and instructional design across subjects and grade levels.

Key Responsibilities

Curriculum Leadership

• Lead the design, implementation, and monitoring of ExcelPrep’s academic and instructional frameworks.
• Ensure all curriculum aligns with ExcelPrep’s mission of equity, precision, and neurodiverse inclusion.
• Evaluate and adapt curriculum sequences using Direct Instruction (DI)and complementary instructional models.
• Develop pacing guides, progress monitoring systems, and mastery-based data reviews.

Instructional Coaching and Professional Development

• Provide weekly observation, feedback, and coaching cycles for teachers and interventionists.
• Model high-fidelity instructional delivery using DI, fluency-based instruction, and explicit teaching principles.
• Create and facilitate ongoing professional development in data-based decision making, instructional design, and learner engagement.
• Support new staff onboarding and DI skill acquisition through training and guided practice.

Academic Rigor and Data Accountability

• Lead data review meetings with staff to analyze student performance trends and identify acceleration opportunities.
• Establish measurable academic targets and monitor fidelity of implementation across classrooms.
• Collaborate with BCBAs and clinical teams to ensure academic programming integrates behavioral and communication goals.
• Develop performance rubrics and academic rigor standards that align with ExcelPrep’s outcome metrics.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Serve on the School Leadership Team and advise on instructional priorities, curriculum purchases, and assessment tools.
• Partner with the Clinical Director and Head of School to maintain consistency between academic and therapeutic models.
• Foster a culture of professional growth, collaboration, and evidence-based excellence.

Qualifications

• Required:
  • ValidIllinois Professional Educator License (PEL)
  • Minimum3 years teaching or instructional leadership experience
  • Demonstrated proficiency in Direct Instruction (DI)methodologies
  • Deep understanding of evidence-based interventions, progress monitoring, and individualized instruction
• Preferred:
  • Experience working withneurodiverse learners(autism, ADHD, learning disabilities)
  • Familiarity withAB Aand Precision Teaching principles
  • Experience training or supervising educators and intervention staff
  • Master’s degree in Education, Curriculum & Instruction, or related field

Core Competencies

• Instructional design expertise
• Strong data analysis and coaching skills
• Leadership presence and cultural competence
• Commitment to inclusion, equity, and high expectations
• Excellent communication and organizational abilities

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits
• Professional development and continuing education support
• Opportunity to shape a growing, innovative educational model in Chicago