Director of Training & Development (HUM)

Ascend Schools; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 94,500 - 115,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

403(b) retirement plan with employer:

Generous paid time off

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

Ascend Schools, based in Brooklyn, NY, seeks a Director of Training & Development for Humanities to lead literacy-focused instructional quality and educator development across elementary Humanities classrooms. Reporting to the Senior Director of K-12 Humanities Training & Development, the role ensures rigorous, coherent literacy instruction aligned to Ascend's curriculum and vertical plan.

The position drives improvement in reading and writing outcomes through coaching, professional learning,

Qualifications

• 6-10 years of professional experience in K-12 education.
• At least 3+ years of instructional leadership, coaching, or professional development experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in elementary literacy instruction.
• Proven record of improving reading and writing outcomes.
• Experience coaching teachers and leading adult learning.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of 5-8 Humanities instructional priorities across all schools.
• Ensure strong execution of foundational literacy instruction, including phonics, reading comprehension, writing development, and knowledge-building.
• Maintain alignment between daily instruction and long-term vertical outcomes.
• Design and facilitate professional learning for 5-8 Humanities teachers and instructional leaders.
• Establish expectations for coaching cycles aligned to curriculum benchmarks.
• Conduct classroom observations and provide targeted feedback to strengthen instructional quality.

Skills

Literacy instruction

Coaching

Curriculum alignment

Educational leadership

Data-informed instruction

Education

Advanced degree in Education or related field

Job description

Ascend is Brooklyn's premier K-12 public charter network, committed to graduating high-achieving students who have access to boundless choice in their futures- not only through college acceptance, but through meaningful preparation for career readiness and thriving adult lives.

Across our schools, we pair rigorous academics with strong systems, supportive adult culture, and a deep belief in students' brilliance and potential. Our work is grounded in the understanding that preparing students for long-term success requires excellence in instruction, intentional culture-building, and disciplined execution at every level of the organization.

At Ascend, adults are held to high standards because our students deserve nothing less. How we teach, lead, collaborate, and make decisions every day directly shapes the opportunities our students will have tomorrow.

Join us in shaping learning environments where curiosity is nurtured, excellence is the norm, and every student is prepared for a lifetime of boundless choice.

About the Role

Ascend Public Charter Schools seeks a Director of Training & Development for Humanities to lead instructional quality and educator development across elementary Humanities classrooms. Reporting to the Senior Director of K-12 Humanities Training & Development, this leader is responsible for ensuring that foundational literacy instruction is rigorous, coherent, and aligned to Ascend's vertically sequenced academic model.

Ascend's 5-8 Humanities program builds the knowledge, reading fluency, writing skills, and intellectual habits that serve as the foundation for Regents mastery and Advanced Placement coursework. This role ensures that elementary classrooms reflect high expectations, strong routines, and inquiry-based learning aligned to curriculum intent.

The Director drives measurable improvement in literacy outcomes through aligned coaching, professional learning, and implementation fidelity.

Core Responsibilities

Elementary Humanities Instructional Leadership

• Lead the implementation of 5-8 Humanities instructional priorities across all schools.
• Ensure strong execution of foundational literacy instruction, including phonics, reading comprehension, writing development, and knowledge-building.
• Maintain alignment between daily instruction and long-term vertical outcomes.

Coaching & Professional Learning

• Design and facilitate professional learning for 5-8 Humanities teachers and instructional leaders.
• Establish expectations for coaching cycles aligned to curriculum benchmarks.
• Conduct classroom observations and provide targeted feedback to strengthen instructional quality.
• Support school-based instructional leaders in building strong elementary literacy systems.

Student Achievement & Implementation Fidelity

• Monitor 5-8 literacy data and identify instructional trends across schools.
• Lead targeted improvement plans to address performance gaps.
• Ensure instructional fidelity to curriculum design while maintaining high intellectual rigor.
• Support consistent implementation of assessment cycles and progress monitoring.

Vertical Alignment

• Collaborate with High School Humanities leaders to ensure strong transitions from Grade 8 to Grade 9.
• Maintain alignment between foundational literacy development and long-term Regents/AP trajectory.
• Contribute to K-12 Humanities planning and refinement efforts.

Qualifications

Required Experience

• 6-10 years of professional experience in K-12 education.
• At least 3+ years of instructional leadership, coaching, or professional development experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in elementary literacy instruction.
• Proven record of improving reading and writing outcomes.
• Experience coaching teachers and leading adult learning.

Preferred Experience

• Experience in a high-performing charter network or centralized curriculum environment.
• Experience supporting Regents-level or AP-level mathematics instruction.
• Experience working within vertically aligned K-12 math systems.
• Advanced degree in Mathematics, Education, Curriculum & Instruction, or related field preferred.

Leadership Profile

• Deep understanding of early literacy development.
• Strong coaching and adult learning skills.
• Ability to translate curriculum expectations into high-quality instruction.
• High standards for rigor, structure, and classroom culture.
• Commitment to equitable access to strong foundational literacy instruction.

Compensation

The salary for this position begins at $105,000. Salaries are determined using an equitable compensation scale that accounts for years of experience and levels of attained education.

Location & Work Arrangement

• Based in our Brooklyn, NY office
• Hybrid work schedule requiring in-office presence at least three days per week

In-person work expectations include network office time, stakeholder meetings, school visits, special events, and other role-specific responsibilities as determined by management.

This is a full-time, exempt position that offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching
• Generous paid time off and additional employee benefits