Urban School Transformation (UST) Executive Director - Vacancy ID: 140438

ABOUT CESA 1: Recipient of the Top Workplaces Award for four consecutive years, CESA 1 is all about students. CESAs were started over 50 years ago to partner with local school districts to provide high-quality educational and therapy services for students. Wisconsin is divided into 12 CESAs, with CESA #1 comprising six counties in southeastern Wisconsin. CESA 1 is home to 30,000 educators and more than 300,000 students. RESPONSIBILITIES: Position Summary - The UST Executive Director will act as a liaison between the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and districts identified for improvement under ESSA as Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI). - He or she will support identified district(s) in the improvement or development of systems to promote school improvement, change adult practices, enhance systems, refine protocols, and advance educational equity. The person in this position will express the urgency necessary to transform level III or CSI schools toward improvement. - The successful candidate will model the belief that all students are capable of achieving high outcomes regardless of race or ability and will communicate a clear vision that promotes cultural and racial diversity as an asset. The selected candidate will reflect the professional belief system that the adherence of a culturally responsive and data-driven instructional infrastructure, intentional human capital strategy, timely and reliable support systems for professionals, and high-quality leadership are the traits of a high-quality urban school district. - This person will lead transformation work by first ensuring that district conditions in CSI Local Education Agencies are set to support and spur school improvement. Goals and Worker Activities - The UST Executive Director will: - Provide strong encouragement or redirect district officials in the implementation of systems, processes, and protocols for continuous improvement purposes. - Provide public updates to the community and the Board of Directors or School Board on Continuous Improvement efforts being monitored by DPI. - Serve as a liaison between the DPI staff responsible for improvement under ESSA and identified district staff by: - Providing support and guidance to districts that includes a focus on the role and capacity of district leaders in developing the conditions to support continuous improvement at the school level - Supporting districts to identify and implement the most appropriate evidence-based improvement strategies to address specific challenges in identified schools. - Supporting the regular use of data and continuous improvement routines to study the impact of decisions and actions and adjust actions accordingly. - Maintain up-to-date knowledge of research and innovations in large urban school improvement, including knowledge of implementation science strategies. - Coordinate and facilitate professional learning for various audiences to strengthen district capacity to implement effective change in adult practices that are intended to lead to improved outcomes for students. - Regularly collect and share data to study the impact of decisions and actions. Expected Outcomes - Pilot programs in schools started as models for continuous improvement - Ensure district leadership supports professional learning in school leadership development - Build systems and structures (Plan, Do, Study, Act model) using data-driven decision-making aimed improved outcomes for students in CSI schools - Ensure district leadership supports school improvement equity teams in CSI schools QUALIFICATIONS - Department of Public Instruction Administrative License. - Master’s Degree required, Ph.D. preferred. - Proven administrative / leadership experience in an urban school. - Training or experience in large urban school improvement and implementation science. - Proven record of leading for equity and improving outcomes for historically underserved students. - Champion of culturally responsive practices with an understanding of how to improve the implementation of those practices. - Proven leadership experience guiding and redirecting all levels of LEA/administrative staff. - Skilled communicator with the ability to compel school leadership to embrace necessary changes. - Experience developing and facilitating impactful professional development. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER