Position: Instruction Specialist

Organization: The Akanksha Foundation

Location: Mumbai / Pune

What your role will entail

1. Academic Vision and Systems - In close collaboration with other directors (SEL, PCED), design a comprehensive instruction model that promotes excellence in teaching-learning for all Akanksha schools aligned with Akanksha’s holistic student vision.

a. Directs the development, evaluation, and revision of curriculum and instruction and assumes responsibility for the implementation of approved programs.

3. Program Leadership

- Serve as a member of the network’s program leadership team.

a. Partner with the COO / Other directors to ensure that the entire organization is leading for learning (e.g. central office departments keep schools and students in mind as they are making decisions).

b. Ensure the decision around future growth (to potentially include new schools in other cities) can be effectively supported by the academic vision and systems.

c. Partner with other organizations to learn best practices and collaborate with other academic leaders

b. Takes ultimate responsibility for academic alignment at all levels, ensuring instructional quality and academic performance across the network.

2. Implementation and Measurement of teaching-learning

a. Develop implementation of the Akanksha instructional model and all of its enabling systems, ensuring that the model is implemented to achieve desired student outcomes.

b. Offer support to School Leadership teams, including curriculum and assessments, instruction, and continuous improvement.

c. Support and retain academic talent by building relationships, encouraging them to seek out challenging roles and providing ongoing coaching.

d. Provide ongoing measurement and improvement of teaching-learning in the following areas:

i. Define and monitor key metrics to determine success of Akanksha’s teaching and learning.

ii. Continually improve instructional models and professional development systems to drive improvement.

iii. Create a data-driven culture in curriculum and instruction.

iv. Actively contribute to and seek best practices in teaching and learning in K-8

c. Demonstrate expertise in instructional research that informs curricula choices and instructional practices.

d. Ensure that the designed instructional model meets the needs of all students.

4. Effective Talent Management

a. Help set organizational standards of excellence in instructional performance and articulate standards for instructional staff (teachers, Instructional specialists etc.).

b. Ensure clear performance evaluations systems for instructional staff, including clear performance frameworks, timely evaluations and accessible data.

c. Set vision for instructional staff professional development and ensure that professional development supports implementation of the Akanksha instructional model.

d. Mentor and coach curriculum and instruction specialists team; develop a clear career path in schools to drive retention and growth of high-performing staff

5. Driving Culture

- Support in building a school culture that values joy and rigor, that prioritizes observation and feedback, that drives lessons with data, and results in exceptional achievement gains for children.

a. Collaborate with schools to develop instructional programs and to implement reform models designed to improve achievement of all students; develop a two-way feedback loop from schools to the Chief Operating Officer.

b. Actively listen to others, understand nuance, and effectively interpret motivations/perceptions and data (both quantitative and qualitative); able to integrate feedback from others and additional data points to achieve better results

What you need for this Role:

● Minimum 10 years of professional experience with specific experience in curriculum development or program leadership. School Leadership experience is preferred.

● In depth experience in the design, integration, implementation, and management of an instructional model, including knowledge of curricula, instructional practices, school operations and management and talent development.

● An advanced degree in Education is preferable.

● The ideal candidate will be result oriented, determined, skilled leader with a strong track record of academic excellence.

● Ability to analyze and use data on a regular basis to drive decision making.

● Commitment to building relationships and trust with leaders, teachers, students, families, and community.

● A track record of leading, motivating, and developing diverse and high performing teams.

● Values rooted in high expectations, going above and beyond, and deep humility.