Director of Math & Science

Director of Math & Science

Position Title: Director of Math & Science

Reports To: Senior Director of School Programs

Supervises: All Math and Science teachers (including special education teachers)

Work Schedule: 12-month position, generally Monday through Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (attendance at some school events will be required outside of these hours)

FLSA Status: Exempt

Do Work that Matters – Join a Turnaround School on the Rise!

IDEA Public Charter School is at an inflection point—and we’re looking for smart, hardworking, mission-driven leaders to help shape what comes next.

Over the past two years, IDEA PCS has achieved significant, measurable improvement, including a nearly 40% increase in our four-year graduation rate and strong gains across multiple academic and organizational indicators. The school is stable, focused, and moving forward with urgency—creating a rare opportunity for new directors to step into a leadership role where their work will truly matter.

As a small, single-site charter high school, IDEA offers autonomy in exchange for results, clear priorities, and the ability to see the direct impact of your leadership on student outcomes. This is not a role for someone looking to maintain the status quo. It is an opportunity for leaders who want ownership, responsibility, and the chance to help build a high-quality college and career program at a pivotal moment in time.

If you are driven by results, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and want to help build something meaningful, we invite you to apply.

About the Role

The Director of Math & Science (DMS) serves as the instructional and programmatic leader for all math and science courses at IDEA Public Charter School. Reporting directly to the Senior Director of School Programs (SDSP), the DMS is responsible for ensuring that the school’s math and science programs are high-quality, standards-aligned, data-driven, and executed with excellence across all classrooms. This includes clear ownership of curriculum development, implementation, and monitoring; instructional coaching and teacher professional development; and assessment selection, administration, and data analysis.

The DMS oversees the full instructional ecosystem for math and science, regularly reviewing lesson plans, curriculum implementation, teacher work products, student work samples, assessment data, and overall instructional quality. The Director provides targeted coaching and actionable feedback, ensures fidelity to schoolwide instructional systems, supports department initiatives, and quickly identifies and addresses curricular, instructional, and operational issues. This role requires a leader who can think critically, execute with urgency, and drive continuous improvement in student outcomes.

In addition to instructional responsibilities, the DMS plays a critical role in maintaining accurate academic records for STEM courses, overseeing credit accumulation and credit recovery, supporting the creation and adjustment of student schedules, and ensuring that students remain on track for graduation.

As part of the school’s leadership team, the DMS also contributes to schoolwide operational responsibilities, including supporting student arrival and dismissal, monitoring lunches and hallways, assisting with behavioral expectations, and supporting schoolwide events and initiatives. While the Director owns the math and science instructional programs, they are also expected to work collaboratively with other leaders to maintain a safe, orderly, and positive school environment.

Aligned with IDEA PCS’s organizational goals, the DMS is accountable for the performance of the math and science program, including progress on ASPIRE metrics such as student growth and proficiency on both the CAPE and MAP assessments. This role is ideal for a leader who combines deep expertise in teaching and learning with strong operational instincts—someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, demonstrates high ownership, and is committed to ensuring that every student receives an exceptional math and science education.

Key Responsibilities

Instructional Leadership & Program Management

• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of the math and science instructional programs.
• Ensure high-quality curriculum is in place for all courses (curriculum must be approved by the CEO and SDSP).
• Ensure curriculum is implemented with fidelity across all math and science classrooms.
• Provide regular, targeted instructional coaching and professional development for math and science teachers.
• Review and monitor lesson plans, assessments, student work, and instructional artifacts to ensure quality and curriculum alignment.
• Lead department meetings, professional learning communities, and collaborative planning sessions.
• Ensure all IEP accommodations, modifications, and services are implemented with fidelity in math and science classrooms.
• Lead the formal evaluation process for math and science teachers, including goal-setting, mid-year, and end-of-year evaluations, and performance conversations aligned to schoolwide expectations.

Data & Assessment Systems

• Oversee curriculum assessment administration for all math and science courses, tracking curriculum progress and analyzing assessment data to uncover insights to inform planning.
• Monitor student performance data to identify trends, gaps, and urgent areas for action.
• Ensure teachers implement interventions aligned to data and progress-monitoring expectations.
• Track progress toward ASPIRE metrics, including student growth and proficiency.

Academic Records & Student Progress

• Maintain accurate academic records for all students.
• Oversee credit accumulation, credit recovery, and course placement to ensure students remain on track for graduation.
• Collaborate with the scheduling team to develop and adjust student schedules that meet academic and graduation requirements.
• Ensure compliance with grading expectations, assessment policies, and reporting timelines.

Schoolwide Leadership & Operational Support

• Support arrival, dismissal, lunch duty, hallway monitoring, and schoolwide supervision to maintain a safe and orderly environment.
• Assist with schoolwide events, testing administration, family engagement activities, and other duties essential to school operations.
• Demonstrate flexibility by assuming additional tasks or responsibilities when organizational needs arise.

Note: This list of responsibilities is not exhaustive, and additional duties may be assigned as organizational needs evolve. We are seeking candidates who are adaptable and responsive to change.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in a math or science related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of successful K–12 teaching experience in math or science, with evidence of exceptional student outcomes.
• Minimum of 2 years of instructional leadership experience (e.g., department chair, instructional coach, assistant principal, or similar role).
• Demonstrated success in improving student achievement.
• Strong understanding of standards-aligned curriculum, assessment design, and data-driven instruction.
• Proven ability to coach teachers effectively and drive measurable improvements in instruction.
• Ability to learn systems quickly and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• High level of ownership, initiative, reliability, and follow-through.
• Desire to work in a school-based role with significant hands-on involvement in daily operations.
• Commitment to IDEA PCS’s mission and to serving historically underserved student populations.

Key Competencies

• Instructional Expertise in Math & Science: Deep understanding of content, pedagogy, curriculum design, and assessment.
• Extreme Ownership and Personal Accountability: Takes full responsibility for outcomes; solves problems without excuses; closes gaps proactively; operates with a “do whatever it takes” mindset.
• Bias Toward Action and Speed: Acts quickly, decisively, and thoughtfully; moves work forward without delay; executes with urgency in service of students and organizational goals.
• Adaptability and Flexibility: Thrives in a fast-moving environment; adjusts quickly to shifting priorities; willingly takes on new or unexpected responsibilities to meet organizational needs.
• High-Level Problem Solving and Critical Thinking: Breaks down complex issues; identifies root causes; generates innovative, practical solutions; anticipates challenges before they arise.
• Grit and Resilience: Maintains high performance under pressure; persists through obstacles; demonstrates stamina and commitment in the face of demanding circumstances.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Builds strong relationships across teams; integrates work across academics, operations, and student support; communicates with clarity and purpose.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Uses quantitative and qualitative data to assess performance, inform strategy, and drive continuous improvement.
• Initiative and Resourcefulness: Identifies opportunities, challenges, and gaps without being prompted; takes action early; finds ways to get the job done even with limited resources.
• High Follow-Through and Reliability: Meets deadlines, honors commitments, and consistently delivers high-quality work.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $115,000 - $125,000 and is commensurate with experience and demonstrated expertise. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, retirement plans, and paid time off.

Additional Details

The position is based in Washington, D.C. and is a fully in-person role that includes periodic participation in school events outside of regular work hours.

ular work hours.