Middletown Public Schools is seeking an exceptional instructional leader to serve as its next Chief Academic Officer. This executive leadership position offers a unique opportunity to shape the vision for teaching and learning across the district while partnering with school leaders, educators, families, and the community to ensure every student has access to engaging, equitable, and high-quality educational experiences.
Reporting directly to the Superintendent of Schools, the Chief Academic Officer serves as the District's lead instructional strategist, providing visionary leadership for curriculum, instruction, assessment, professional learning, educational innovation, and continuous improvement. The successful candidate will be a collaborative leader who inspires excellence, uses data to drive decision-making, develops high-performing teams, and is committed to preparing every student for future success.
1. Develops and implements the District's vision for teaching, learning, curriculum, assessment, and instructional excellence.
2. Serves as a member of the Superintendent's Cabinet and participates in strategic planning, organizational leadership, and district decision-making.
3. Provides executive leadership for curriculum development, instructional improvement, assessment, professional learning, and educational innovation.
4. Directs, supervises, coaches, supports, and evaluates principals, instructional leaders, curriculum coordinators, and other assigned administrators.
5. Leads districtwide curriculum development, review, implementation, and revision to ensure alignment with state standards, research-based practices, and District priorities.
6. Develops, implements, and evaluates instructional initiatives designed to improve student achievement and educational outcomes.
7. Oversees the collection, analysis, interpretation, and communication of student achievement and instructional performance data.
8. Serves as the District Test Coordinator and oversees district assessment systems and accountability measures.
9. Designs, coordinates, and evaluates professional learning programs for teachers, administrators, and instructional staff.
10. Leads curriculum writing initiatives and ensures instructional resources remain current, aligned, and accessible.
11. Develops and implements systems for evaluating instructional programs and recommending continuous improvement strategies.
12. Visits schools and classrooms regularly to observe instruction, support school leaders, promote instructional consistency, and monitor implementation of district initiatives.
13. Collaborates with principals and instructional leaders to identify strengths, address instructional challenges, and improve teaching and learning.
14. Organizes, facilitates, and supports District Data Teams, curriculum committees, instructional leadership teams, and other district committees.
15. Establishes and supports ad hoc committees and workgroups to address instructional priorities and emerging educational needs.
16. Develops and maintains partnerships with the Connecticut State Department of Education, regional educational service centers, colleges, universities, community organizations, and other educational partners.
17. Oversees New Teacher Orientation, mentoring initiatives, leadership development programs, and district professional learning systems.
18. Supervises district summer school programs, instructional intervention programs, adult education, grants, curriculum departments, and other assigned instructional programs.
19. Participates in the development and administration of the district budget and recommends allocation of instructional resources aligned with strategic priorities.
20. Oversees assigned instructional, grant, and program budgets and monitors expenditures for fiscal accountability.
21. Collaborates with Human Resources regarding recruitment, selection, evaluation, professional growth, labor relations, organizational development, and personnel matters affecting instructional programs.
22. Interprets instructional programs, assessment results, district initiatives, and student achievement information to staff, families, the Board of Education, and community organizations.
23. Represents the District at professional organizations, governmental meetings, community partnerships, and educational forums.
24. Leads research, innovation, and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance organizational effectiveness and student achievement.
25. Develops policies, procedures, reports, publications, and presentations supporting instructional programs and district initiatives.
26. Ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, Board policies, grant requirements, and accreditation standards.
Minimum Education
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Master's Degree in Educational Leadership, Curriculum and Instruction, School Administration, or a related field required;
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Sixth-Year Certificate or Doctorate preferred.
Minimum Work Experience
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Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible educational leadership experience required.
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Minimum of three (3) years of successful district-level administrative experience required.
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Successful experience as a school principal preferred.
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Demonstrated experience leading curriculum development, instructional improvement, assessment, and professional learning initiatives required.
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Demonstrated experience supervising and evaluating administrators and instructional leaders required.
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Demonstrated experience managing complex budgets and organizational resources required.
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Experience working effectively in a unionized educational environment required
Required Licenses/Certifications
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Valid Connecticut 092 Intermediate Administrator and Supervisor Certificate required.
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Valid Connecticut teaching certification required.
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Valid driver's license required.
Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
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Ability to adhere to and model Middletown Public Schools core values and Work Pillars in all aspects of leadership practice required.
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Knowledge of instructional leadership, curriculum development, assessment systems, and evidence-based instructional practices required.
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Knowledge of educational program evaluation, strategic planning, and continuous improvement processes required.
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Knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, and policies governing public education required.
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Knowledge of educational technology, student information systems, and instructional data systems required.
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Knowledge of differentiated instruction, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, Professional Learning Communities, and best instructional practices required.
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Knowledge of budget development, fiscal management, and resource allocation required.
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Knowledge of collective bargaining agreements and the ability to successfully work in a unionized environment required.
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Ability to develop and communicate a compelling instructional vision aligned with district priorities required.
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Ability to analyze complex educational data and translate findings into actionable improvement strategies required.
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Ability to lead organizational change and manage multiple district initiatives simultaneously required.
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Ability to supervise, coach, mentor, and evaluate administrators and instructional staff required.
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Ability to establish collaborative relationships with staff, students, families, community organizations, higher education institutions, and governmental agencies required.
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Ability to communicate effectively orally, in writing, and through public presentations required.
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Ability to solve complex problems through strategic thinking, innovation, and sound judgment required.
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Ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining high standards of accountability required.
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Ability to model professionalism, integrity, equity, inclusion, and organizational values required.
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Ability to utilize technology and data systems to improve organizational effectiveness required.
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Ability to travel between district locations and attend meetings outside the regular workday as required.
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Ability to travel between district locations as necessary required.
This is a full time position with excellent benefits.
