Strategic Director, Reading & Social Studies Curriculum

Illinois Education Job Bank; Riverdale (IL); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life insurance

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Job summary

The Illinois Association of School Administrators seeks a Director of Curriculum for Reading/ELA and Social Studies to provide strategic leadership across PreK–8 literacy and social studies. You will lead curriculum development, instructional practices, assessment alignment, and professional learning with district administrators and school leaders.

Responsibilities include curriculum audits, backward design, data-driven improvement, and collaboration with MTSS teams to ensure equity and student

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Education, Curriculum & Instruction, Literacy, or related field required.
• Valid Professional Educator License required.
• Administrative endorsement (Type 75/Principal or equivalent) considered a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, revision, and implementation of PreK–8 Reading/ELA and Social Studies curricula.
• Develop pacing guides and common unit templates using backward design.
• Integrate culturally responsive instructional materials and equity focus.
• Conduct curriculum audits and gap analyses to inform changes.
• Provide feedback, coaching, and support to administrators and teachers.
• Oversee district MTSS alignment for literacy and interventions.
• Lead professional learning and PLC initiatives aligned to district goals.

Skills

Staff leadership

Collaborative leadership

Professional development

Communication skills

Education

Master’s Degree in Education

Licensure: Professional Educator License

Job description

Director of Curriculum for Reading/ELA and Social Studies

Duties

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Director of Curriculum for Reading/ELA and Social Studies provides strategic leadership, oversight, and implementation support for PreK–8 literacy and social studies curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional learning.

This role ensures the development of a guaranteed and viable curriculum, high-quality instructional practices, aligned assessment systems, and measurable student growth across all schools.

The Director ofCurriculum for Reading/ELA and Social Studies serves as a key instructional leader and collaborates closely with principals, interventionists, teacher leaders, and district administration.

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES:

Curriculum & Instructional Leadership

• Lead development, revision, and implementation of vertically aligned Reading and Social Studies curriculum (PreK–8)
• Ensure curriculum aligns with state standards and district strategic goals
• Identify and prioritize essential standards
• Develop pacing guides and common unit templates (backward design model)
• Integrate culturally responsive and inclusive instructional materials
• Conduct curriculum audits and gap analyses
• Develop and support implementation of the district instructional framework for literacy and social studies
• Promote evidence-based literacy practices (e.g., structured literacy, writing across content areas)
• Support inquiry-based social studies instruction
• Conduct classroom walkthroughs and instructional rounds
• Provide feedback and coaching support to administrators
• Support differentiation and small-group instructional practices

Assessment & Data Systems

• Develop and manage district literacy and social studies assessment systems
• Align universal screening and benchmark tools
• Design common formative assessments
• Lead district data analysis cycles
• Support principals in interpreting student growth data
• Collaborate with MTSS teams on literacy intervention alignment
• Monitor subgroup performance and equity trends

MTSS & Intervention Alignment

• Ensure Tier 1 literacy instruction is effective and standards-aligned
• Support Tier 2 and Tier 3 literacy intervention program selection and implementation
• Establish entrance/exit criteria for reading interventions
• Monitor fidelity of intervention programs
• Coordinate with Special Education, ECC and EL departments
• Analyze intervention effectiveness and recommend adjustments

Professional Learning & Capacity Building

• Develop and implement annual professional development plan aligned to district goals
• Facilitate district-wide literacy and social studies PD
• Lead PLC framework implementation in content areas
• Train teacher leaders and PLC facilitators
• Support new teacher literacy onboarding
• Provide coaching cycles as needed
• Conduct annual program evaluations of core and supplemental materials
• Analyze student performance trends (achievement & growth)
• Recommend adoption or discontinuation of instructional materials
• Develop action plans based on data
• Prepare annual departmental progress reports

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, the Director of Curriculum for Reading/ELA and Social Studies must be able to perform essential duties satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. This includes a high level of proficiency in written and oral communication skills. The position requires:

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Education, Curriculum & Instruction, Literacy, or related field
• Valid Professional Educator License
• Administrative endorsement (Type 75/Principal or equivalent)
• Minimum 5 years successful teaching experience
• Demonstrated experience in curriculum leadership or instructional coaching
• Experience leading professional development
• Experience leading MTSS implementation

Preferred Qualifications

• Reading Specialist or Literacy endorsement (preferred)
• Experience with curriculum adoption processes
• Bilingual or ESL endorsement

Deep Content Knowledge, Skills & Instructional Expertise

• Science of Reading principles
• Writing instruction
• Inquiry-based social studies pedagogy
• Standards alignment and curriculum design
• Differentiation strategies
• Formative assessment
• Data-driven instructional improvement

Salary/Benefits

Salary/Benefits: $120,000 - $140,000. The District offers fringe benefits , including life, medical, dental and vision insurance.

Additional Notes

Working Conditions

• 12-month position
• Occasional evening Board presentations or community meetings

Reports To: Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction

The district is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal and Illinois employment laws.

Link to District/Third Party Online Application Web Page