Manager, Social Studies

The mission of the Office of Teaching and Learning (OTL) is to provide educators with curricular resources, academic programs, and aligned professional development to ensure rigorous and joyful learning experiences for every student. OTL team members support school-based staff in implementing DCPS's existing academic programs while simultaneously working to rethink and redesign school programming, academic and curricular resources and educator professional development.

Divisions/Teams

• Content and Curriculum: The Content and Curriculum division sets the vision for equity and excellence for each content area in DCPS schools by researching, creating, and curating curricular materials and providing aligned professional development experiences to ensure that all students have access to rigorous and joyful learning experiences every day in every content area. Additionally, the team sets a vision for serving the whole child and closing the opportunity gap through leading the work in academic programming, innovation and high-potential learners.

• Extended Learning and Academic Recovery: The Extended Learning and Academic Recovery division oversees most of DCPS' K-12 summer school programs including enrichment and retention programs in alignment with the laws and regulations of the District of Columbia. Additionally, the team oversees the largest group of afterschool programs with the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant and meets the needs of high potential students in grades K-5 through the Schoolwide Enrichment Model (SEM.)

• Language Acquisition: The Language Acquisition division welcomes families of linguistically and culturally diverse backgrounds to DCPS, leads the process of identifying English Learner students, and supports schools in developing programs that supports English language acquisition and academic growth.

• Professional Learning and Educational Technology: The Professional Learning and Educational Technology division sets a vision for professional development for DCPS as well as creates systems, tools, and structures to increase the efficacy of professional learning and educational technology initiatives. This work includes LEAP, cluster-based PD, district PD and other learning opportunities. The team works across all DCPS offices to increase the cohesion of professional development and broad sharing of knowledge, while exploring new avenues and opportunities for meaningful development and learning for our educators.

• Specialized Instruction: The Specialized Instruction division works to reduce the opportunity gap between students with IEPs and their non-disabled peers; and increases equity and excellence in schools through specific academic programming, related services, professional learning, school leadership development, family engagement, dispute resolution, and community partnerships.

  
  

The Literacy and Humanities division is responsible for leading OTLs work in the areas of English Language Arts, literacy across content areas, Reading, and Social Studies. The team oversees related formative assessments, interventions, and the development of curriculum and professional development for teachers.

The Manager, Social Studies is responsible for using their expertise in social studies curriculum and instruction to assist with the development of engaging curriculum and effective professional development, as well as the promotion of instructional best practices district-wide. The Manager, Social Studies will implement multiple models of school support that ensure responsiveness to schools� needs. They also will be charged with the ongoing implementation of LEAP (Learning together to Advance our Practice), DCPS� school-based model of professional development. The Manager will build school-based capacity to lead effective Common Core State Standards-aligned instruction and deepen understanding of the C3 Framework and the DC Content standards.

The Manager, Social Studies will report to the Director, Social Studies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.

• Applies social studies curriculum development expertise to setting criteria and framework for developing rigorous college and career preparation curricula in DCPS schools.
• Utilizes instructional, adult facilitation, and coaching expertise in content-specific pedagogy, planning, and practice to improve the effectiveness of social studies instruction in DCPS schools, specifically including the implementation of the Common Core State Standards, the C3 Framework, and the DC Content Standards for social studies.
• Assesses needs of social studies teachers, content area teachers, and school leaders, including dual language and extended year programs; and assists in the development of professional development opportunities to address those needs and increase the quality of social studies instruction.
• Supports the delivery of school-based and district-wide social studies professional development through train-the-trainer, co-teaching, and co-planning models; and coordinates all necessary logistics and materials distribution.
• Creates detailed timelines for each initiative; assesses and tracks project progress regularly using various computer programs and tools; and drives project completion holding others accountable for responsibilities and deadlines.
• Helps manage the analysis and presentation of data and progress of data-driven initiatives for senior management team and external audiences; communicates progress to key stakeholder groups; and incorporates their input.
• Anticipates, identifies, and resolves complex obstacles to success of overall social studies programs, as well as specific projects.
• Interviews and surveys other colleagues and management teams to determine opportunities for improvement; researches specific issues; and develops detailed recommendations and implementation plans to resolve the issues.
• Builds relationships and liaises with various instructional superintendents, principals, and school-based staff to drive collaboration and project success; and interacts with and responds effectively to urgent requests from multiple internal and external DCPS stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and four to six years of related work experience.
• Master's degree with a primary focus in social studies preferred.
• Previous exposure to or experience in the education sector a plus.
• Work experience teaching in the classroom or operating in an administrative position in the education industry.
• Deep understanding of the close connection between curriculum, professional learning, and assessments.
• Expert knowledge of social studies instruction and Common Core State Standards, research-based instructional practices, adult learning theory, elements of effective professional development, and best practices in facilitation.
• Dynamic presenter with experience designing and implementing in-person and virtual professional development for adults.
• Understanding of DCPS Essential Practices/IMPACT a plus.
• Mobility and flexibility to work between several school sites and Central Office a must.

DCPS Values

• STUDENTS FIRST: We recognize students as whole children and put their needs first in everything we do.
• COURAGE: We have the audacity to learn from our successes and failures, to try new things, and to lead the nation as a proof point of PK-12 success.
• EQUITY: We work proactively to eliminate opportunity gaps by interrupting institutional bias and investing in effective strategies to ensure every student succeeds.
• EXCELLENCE: We work with integrity and hold ourselves accountable for exemplary outcomes, service, and interactions.
• TEAMWORK: We recognize that our greatest asset is our collective vision and ability to work collaboratively and authentically.
• JOY: We enjoy our collective work and will enthusiastically celebrate our success and each other.