Assistant Director - Innovative Pathways & Teacher Development

Region 4 Education Service Center; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 104,000 - 123,000; Full time

Job summary

Region 4 Education Service Center in Houston, TX seeks an Assistant Director for Innovative Pathways & Teacher Development. This role leads the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of innovative alternative teacher certification pathways, ensuring compliance and strong school partnerships.

Daily travel across the Region 4 area is required. The candidate will oversee preservice coursework, clinical experiences, and mentor coaching, while coordinating with CTAPP and TEA to

Qualifications

• Master's degree required in Education, Educational Leadership, Curriculum & Instruction or related field.
• Valid Texas teacher and principal or equivalent administrator certificates; T-TESS certification.

Responsibilities

• Lead innovative teacher certification pathways with school system partners.
• Coordinate preservice coursework and clinical experiences in compliance with TAC and SBEC.
• Provide coaching and feedback to candidates and mentors; manage program timelines.

Skills

Educational leadership

Project management

Data analysis

Adult learning principles

Instructional design

Curriculum development

Communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Policy interpretation

Organizational skills

Education

Master's degree in Education or related field

Texas teacher certification

Texas principal or administrator certificate

T-TESS certification

Tools

Microsoft Word

Adobe PDF

Job description

Assistant Director - Innovative Pathways & Teacher Development

Region 4 Education Service Center REGION 4 ESC - HOUSTON, Texas Open in Google Maps

Job Details

Job ID: 5947753

Application Deadline: Posted until filled

Posted: Oct 01, 2026 5:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

Title: Assistant Director - Innovative Pathways & Teacher Development

Classification: Administrative/Professional

Exemption Status/Test: Exempt/Administrative

Job Grade: 6

Department: Educator Development

Reports To: Department Director

Job Goal:

To lead the successful development, implementation, and continuous improvement of innovative alternative teacher certification pathways by ensuring high-quality, compliant preservice preparation and strong school system partnerships, while supporting candidate success by providing clinical teachers, residents, and interns support, guidance, and consistent feedback pertinent to their development and preparation for the classroom. This position requires daily travel throughout the Region 4 area.

Qualifications

Education:

• Master's degree in Education, Educational Leadership, Curriculum and Instruction, or a related field

Certification:

• Valid Texas teacher, and principal or equivalent administrator certificate
• Valid Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System (T-TESS) certification

Preferred:

• Comprehensive knowledge of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC), State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) rules, Texas education-centered legislation, and Texas educator preparation requirements
• Experience building and/or expanding partnerships and implementing new programs
• Experience with program evaluation, data analysis, and continuous improvement processes
• Experience collaborating with multiple school districts and educational partners

Experience:

• Ten (10) years of exemplary classroom teaching experience
• Experience in mentoring or coaching teachers to improve instructional practices
• Three (3) years of successful educational leadership within a public school system

Special Knowledge and Skills:

• Demonstrated knowledge of instructional best practices and adult learning principles
• Knowledge of effective instructional design, curriculum development, and adult learning strategies
• Strong customer service orientation and commitment to candidate success
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong organizational, project management, and communication skills
• Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements
• Proficiency with technology and data management systems
• Proficient in the use of technology, including but not limited to email, Microsoft Word, scanning documents, Adobe PDF files, etc.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to articulate feedback clearly and professionally
• Exemplary attention to detail and observational skills
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport and trust quickly among a range of stakeholders
• Well-developed organizational skills to maintain documentation, deadlines, and schedules
• Must have a reliable personal vehicle available, be willing to commute throughout the Region 4 service area

Major Responsibilities

• Innovative Pathways Leadership:
  • Engage school system partners in formal partnership for innovative teacher certification pathways.
  • Facilitate co-development of the innovative teacher certification pathways with school system partners and establish a cadence of partnership dialogue and data sharing.
  • Own coordination, attend monthly convenings, and participate in regular check-ins with school system and external partners, including with The Center for Transforming Alternative Certification Pathways (CTAPP) and the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
  • Coordinate preservice coursework, the preservice intensive experience, and clinical experience ensuring that all are in compliance with requirements of House Bill 2-related legislation and applicable Texas Administrative Code (TAC).
  • Complete all key milestones to support the launch of the innovative teacher certification pathways and achieve SBEC approval of new alternative certification routes. Milestones shall be identified by CTAPP and the TEA team.
  • Ensure all program deliverable timelines are met.
  • Complete all orientation and learning activities as requested by CTAPP and the TEA team, which may include reading and reviewing material, learning about partner school systems, and attending learning sessions.
  • Attend virtual training and in-person training, committing to all training dates, which may require travel (for in-person engagements).
  • Participate in, at minimum, two full-day convenings, which will likely include travel.
  • Engage in virtual weekly coaching sessions with CTAPP to check on progress of innovative certification pathways.
  • Provide feedback to TEA on program refinements.
  • Collaborate with CTAPP to use existing examples and resources to customize a business model to ensure sustainability of innovative teacher certification pathways.
  • Ensure field supervisors and mentoring educators receive, complete, and update, as necessary, Texas Mentorship Training.
• Recruitment and Ongoing Candidate Support:
  • Support innovative teacher certification pathway recruitment and informational events for prospective teacher candidates.
  • Monitor candidate progress at all stages and provide coaching, guidance, and intervention as needed.
  • Ensure program compliance with the Texas Education Agency (TEA), State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC), and applicable sections of Texas Administrative Code (TAC).
  • Maintain accurate candidate records and documentation required for state reporting and accreditation.
  • Collaborate with school systems, campus leaders, and education partners to support candidate placement and readiness.
  • Analyze candidate performance data and program outcomes to identify trends and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Assist in the development and revision of curriculum aligned to current Texas educator standards and evidence-based instructional practices.
  • Provide excellent customer service to candidates, school system partners, and stakeholders.
  • Prepare reports, presentations, and communications for leadership, school system partners, and external agencies.
• Teacher Development & Coaching:
  • Schedule and conduct regular observation visits including pre- and post-observation conferences with teacher candidates.
  • Strategize with cooperating teachers, mentors, and campus administrators to ensure the success of teacher candidates.
  • Provide constructive and relevant feedback on classroom observations.
  • Communicate with Region 4 Inspire Texas staff, campus, and district administrators on teacher candidates’ progress and performance.
  • Review and update candidate database with all required documentation required by Region 4 Inspire Texas and the Texas Education Agency.
  • Maintain a shared master calendar of all activities in support of teacher candidates.
  • Adhere to all timelines and deadlines for conferences, observations, trainings, and documentation submissions as set by Region 4 Inspire Texas and the Texas Education Agency.
  • Provide remediation for candidates through planning, coaching, and modeling.
  • Provide pacing reminders and review the teacher candidate checklist to ensure that the candidate is meeting deadlines.
  • Adhere to all Texas Education Agency policies regarding teacher certification and field supervision.
  • Maintain the Region 4 Education Service Center status, under the state accountability system for educator preparation programs, as “Accredited” through data reporting and compliance with program state and federal requirements.
  • Ensure teacher candidates monitor their attendance to verify compliance with state candidacy requirements.
  • Communicate with the Certification Specialist to support data management and compliance. Support data gathering and analyses, and be accountable for the success of program participants in performance assessments. Assist with reporting program performance data to the TEA and Region 4 ESC leadership.
  • Maintain accurate documentation and upload observations in the Region 4 Inspire Texas database.
  • Help facilitate resolution of issues using the Professional Dispositions, Intervention, and Program Continuation Policy.
  • Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support the goals of the educator preparation Program.

Supervision/Personnel Management:

• In coordination with the cabinet member and department director, establish clear expectations, set goals, and provide regular feedback to promote accountability and performance improvement.
• In coordination with the cabinet member and department director, manage team workloads and project timelines to ensure priorities are met and deliverables are completed with high quality.
• Supervise and support assigned staff, including onboarding, training, and performance management.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and high-performing workplace.
• Ensure compliance with Region 4 policies, procedures, and applicable state and federal guidelines.

Physical Demands/Environmental Factors/ Mental Demands:

Frequent use of standard office equipment; prolonged sitting; occasional bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting; repetitive hand motions (keyboarding and use of mouse); occasional light lifting and carrying (less than 20 pounds); may work prolonged and irregular hours; occasional statewide travel; work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under pressure.

Position Type: Full-Time

Salary: $104,410 to $122,836 Per Year

Job Requirements

• Citizenship, residency or work visa required