Associate Director of Humanities

At Rocketship Public Schools, we believe in the infinite possibility of human potential. We believe that every student deserves the right to dream, to discover, and to develop their unique potential and it is our responsibility and our privilege to unleash the potential inside every Rocketeer we serve. Our non-profit network of public elementary charter schools propels student achievement, develops exceptional educators, and partners with parents who enable high-quality public schools to thrive in their community. We are a collective of parents, teachers, leaders, and students working together to transform the future for underserved communities across our country. At Rocketship Public Schools, we are unleashing potential.

Position Description The Academics Team is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Associate Director of Humanities to support high-quality, rigorous, and equitable literacy and humanities instruction across Rocketship Tennessee schools. This role partners closely with regional and national team members and school leaders to strengthen instructional practice and improve student outcomes in humanities, literacy, and social studies. The Associate Director of Humanities provides direct instructional leadership and coaching support to 3–5 Tennessee schools, ensuring strong implementation of Rocketship’s Humanities instructional vision and core programs. This role collaborates closely with regional leadership and school-based instructional teams and reports to the Senior Director of Schools.

Below are the essential functions

Coaching & Leader Development Build instructional capacity among school and instructional leaders through targeted coaching and development in Humanities instruction. Provide direct coaching to school leaders and instructional leaders focused on literacy, ELA instruction, and teacher development Observe classroom instruction and planning, delivering actionable feedback aligned to Rocketship’s Humanities vision and instructional standards Develop leaders’ ability to coach teachers effectively and drive improvements in reading, writing, and discourse

Program Implementation & Fidelity Ensure strong implementation of Rocketship’s Humanities curriculum and instructional model. Support schools in executing core ELA and humanities programs with fidelity to instructional design and pacing Adapt pacing and instructional guidance aligned to Tennessee standards, school calendars, and regional priorities Curate and share high-quality instructional resources, texts, exemplars, and planning tools Lean in to teach students directly or model for teachers as needed.

Progress Monitoring & Instructional Effectiveness Monitor the effectiveness of Humanities instruction and student outcomes across schools. Support leaders in using assessment data (reading, writing, and comprehension) aligned to grade-level standards Analyze student achievement and implementation data to identify trends and areas for targeted support Provide clear insights and recommendations to regional leaders to inform instructional decisions

Regional Collaboration, Vision & Goal-Setting Partner with regional leadership to drive a strong Humanities vision and aligned goals. Collaborate to define and refine the regional Humanities instructional vision and success metrics Support schools in setting ambitious literacy and humanities goals and tracking progress Ensure alignment with Rocketship’s Core Model and broader instructional priorities

Professional Development & Regional Learning Design and facilitate impactful professional learning experiences. Design and lead engaging professional development for teachers, leaders, and instructional staff in literacy and humanities Identify regional learning priorities using both qualitative and quantitative data Support summer training and beginning-of-year professional development Collaborate with national partners to execute on RPS priorities and core model while working in partnership to make an adjustments necessary that are region specific

Core Characteristics

Successful candidates will demonstrate Rocketship’s core characteristics in their leadership and instructional practice

Pursuit of Excellence – Continuously improves outcomes through data, feedback, and reflective practice Authenticity – Leads with transparency, humility, and alignment to Rocketship’s values Community – Builds strong relationships and values collective impact across schools and teams Tenacity – Relentlessly pursues instructional goals in service of student success Innovation – Challenges the status quo and takes responsible risks to improve instruction

Qualifications

Experience 3–5 years of progressively responsible experience in instructional leadership, curriculum, or school leadership At least 3 years of K–5 lead teaching experience in a core Humanities area (ELA/literacy preferred) with strong student outcomes At least 1 year of experience coaching or leading adults Experience implementing high-quality literacy or humanities curricula strongly preferred Skills Strong instructional coaching and adult learning facilitation skills Excellent organizational and project management skills Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data to drive instructional decisions Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment Proficiency with Google Workspace Education Bachelor’s degree required Master’s degree preferred (Education or a related field)