Earl R. Merrill: Education Director - KID smART New Orleans

Design, coordinate, deliver, & evaluate KID smART programming to make New Orleans classrooms more joyful & effective places to learn! Competitive salary & great benefits at 20-year-old nonprofit.

KID smART is committed to helping transform public education in the New Orleans region through innovative arts integrated learning. We work to support students, teachers and schools through extended artist residencies, professional development for teachers, and other arts education program development and implementation in relation to our organizational values.

Job Opportunity: Education Director
The Education Director works under the general supervision of the Executive Director to design, coordinate, deliver, and evaluate KID smART programming. The Education Director is responsible for overall program development, administration, and supervision of the all education programs at KID smART Creative Schools and afterschool and enrichment sites. The Education Director supervises three full-time Arts Coaches, as well as overseeing a part-time program assistant, teaching artists, and consultants hired for the program. The position develops and oversees implementation of the KID smART Program, including curriculum and assessments, and is a key liaison between KID smART and administration and staff at the schools and community partners. The Education Director works closely with KID smART staff to sustain and develop educational programs aligned with the organization’s mission and vision. To apply, read full job description and follow application instructions below.

Program Supervision:

Oversee the development and execution of programming and curriculum content consistent with KID smART mission and program goals.
Develop procedures and policies for safe and effective operation of the overall program.
Hire and supervise teaching artists and consultants for KID smART and school sites.
Provide performance evaluation and feedback for programming team.
Orient and train staff to program, highlighting process and learning opportunities. Plan and facilitate regular meetings with staff.
Manage staff of Teaching Artists and Arts Coaches to thrive through excellent communication, guidance, and listening.
Develop and coordinate professional development and curriculum support workshops for classroom teachers, teaching artists, and staff on best practices in arts education/ arts integration.

Evaluation, Reporting, and Administration:

Oversee all systems and tools for evaluating programs and content to measure satisfaction and effectiveness.
Establish performance standards for all personnel to assure that contractual service objectives are attained.
Ensure performance targets are met.
Develop and maintain records needed for program administration.
Monitor program budget, provide needed information for financial reporting.
Prepare information for funder reports and assist to secure donations and funding for the program as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Development and Management of Programs

Act as the main developer of new programming and projects.
Work with Development Director to create program design for funding proposals.
Assist in development of handbooks and protocols for TA training and work with CTs
Meet weekly with programming team for professional development, reflection, and sharing.
Develop earned income opportunities through contracts for professional development and programming.
Manage special projects as necessary

Outreach and Community and School Relationship Development:

Develop and oversee school recruitment and sustainability plan. With program staff, conduct ongoing outreach at schools and in community, including classroom presentations, guest workshops, and participating at relevant events.
Establish and maintain communication with members of the school staff about student needs and aspects of the program. Meet regularly with principal/administrators and work closely with school staff.
Facilitate partnerships with appropriate public and private agencies that provide services to students and families to broaden the impact and reach of KID smART and help position KID smART as community resource. Participate on local and state committees or meetings related to education/ arts education, as necessary.
Attend board meetings and develop and convene the Education Committee of the board.

Qualifications and Competencies:

Minimum of BA degree. Preference for MA in arts education or related field
Minimum 5 years experience working with schools and in the arts
Experience leading arts education programming for youth
A demonstrated ability to lead and energize multi-disciplinary work teams
Experience as both a professional development participant and facilitator
Experience in designing and documenting curriculum
Solid theoretical grounding in educational theory and school change issues
Knowledge of effective teaching and assessment practices
Excellent communication, writing, management and facilitation skills
Strong knowledge of arts integration, progressive education theory and Project Zero research is ideal

Ideal candidates are:

Organized and hard working– they work hard, manage their time well, communicate clearly and in a timely fashion and have excellent follow through.
Supportive– they are there when they say they will be there and do what they say they will do with energy and empathy.
Passionate about professional development– they possess a deep respect for teachers and teaching artists, recognize the potential of every individual to improve their craft, and are interested in adult education.
Resourceful– they recognize the wealth of knowledge that exists within themselves and in the field to share with colleagues. They are driven to continually expand their knowledge base and understanding of the arts education field.
Collaborative– they work well with others, can manage multiple projects with multiple partners, communicate and cooperate with purpose and humor.

KID smART is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment.

This is a full time position with competitive salary, benefits, and paid holidays.

To apply, please email cover letter, resume, and personal statement to jobs@kidsmart.org by March 1, 2018.

In your cover letter, tell us why you are interested in this position at this time in this city. Help us get to know you and your connection with KID smART’s core values. (No more than 2 pages)
In your resume clearly outline your background and experience. (No more than 3 pages)
In your personal statement you can further ideas touched on in your cover letter that show your educational philosophy, what you believe to be true about arts education, and your connection with the New Orleans educational environment. (1 page)