Deadline: June 3, 2026
District/Organization: Portland Public Schools
Position/Type: Central Office – 1st Line Admin, full time
POSITION: Director of Secondary Education
LOCATION: Portland Public Schools
DISTRICT STRATEGIC PLAN
PORTLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS PORTRAIT OF A LEARNER
Portland Public Schools is seeking a dynamic, organized, and student-focused individual to serve as the Director of Secondary Education. This is an important leadership opportunity for a motivated professional who is passionate about strengthening the secondary student experience through high-quality instruction, aligned curriculum, effective assessment practices, meaningful student supports, and systems that prepare students for success beyond graduation.
As a key member of the District’s instructional leadership team, the Director of Secondary Education works collaboratively with district administrators, secondary principals, instructional coaches, and teachers to provide strategic direction and support systemic improvement in MTSS, curriculum, instruction, assessment, school improvement, and professional learning.
A central focus of this position will be supporting the districtwide implementation of Portland Public Schools’ Portrait of a Learner at the secondary level. This work requires a leader who can support staff, align systems, and ensure students have consistent opportunities to learn, practice, and demonstrate the skills and dispositions needed for success in school, work, and life.
Portland Public Schools offers a supportive, team-oriented environment where collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement are encouraged. The ideal candidate will be a systems thinker, a strong communicator, and a relationship-centered instructional leader who can help move district priorities from concept to consistent classroom and building-level practice.
Eligible candidates must meet the following qualifications:
- Master’s degree in Education.
- Current Michigan Administration Certificate.
- Minimum of three years of successful administrative experience.
- Minimum of five years of successful teaching experience.
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience in curriculum development, alignment, and instruction.
- Proven leadership in initiating and implementing school and district improvement goals.
- Knowledge and experience with MTSS and PBIS.
- Demonstrated ability to coach adult learners, build professional trust, provide effective feedback, and support staff through instructional improvement and implementation of district initiatives.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
The desired candidate would possess the following experiences and dispositions:
- Strong systems-thinking and organizational skills to support curriculum, instruction, assessment, MTSS, PBIS, school improvement, and professional learning across secondary programs.
- Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships with students, staff, families, administrators, and community partners.
- Mindful leadership that reflects awareness of student, staff, building, and district needs.
- Strong thinking skills, including the ability to analyze data, understand complex systems, and make informed instructional and organizational decisions.
- Collaborative problem-solving skills that help remove barriers, improve systems, and support student and staff success.
- Clear and effective communication skills, including the ability to listen, explain expectations, provide feedback, and align work across buildings, departments, and grade levels.
- Resilience, flexibility, and adaptability in a fast-paced educational environment.
- Creativity, initiative, and innovation in developing meaningful learning opportunities and improving systems that support student success.
- Commitment to continuous improvement, student engagement, and preparing students for success beyond graduation.
Essential duties and responsibilities of the position:
- Provides leadership in the development, design, and implementation of a student-centered district.
- Supervises and supports the implementation of curriculum and research-based instructional practices in grades 6-12.
- Works with district administrators, principals, instructional coaches, and teachers to analyze student performance and other evidence of learning to determine needs in curriculum, instruction, assessment, and student support.
- Develops systems and processes that ensure curriculum, instruction, MTSS, PBIS, and assessment practices are aligned horizontally and vertically to eliminate redundancy and prevent gaps.
- Works with the Director of Elementary Education to support K-12 instructional alignment and a coherent PreK-13 flow of educational experiences.
- Leads and supports the secondary implementation of Portland Public Schools’ Portrait of a Learner.
- Assists with the recruitment, retention, assignment, and support of secondary staff.
- Supervises and provides guidance to instructional coaches who support teacher growth in instructional delivery, planning, and performance.
- Assists principals and other administrators by serving as a resource and problem-solver for students, teachers, parents, and community members.
- Leads the secondary school improvement process through goal setting, implementation, professional learning, and data analysis.
- Works collaboratively with district-level administration to evaluate, select, and implement instructional materials and educational resources.
- Assists principals with the implementation of evaluation systems for certified and non-certified staff.
- Oversees the development, implementation, communication, and monitoring of professional development for secondary instructional personnel.
- Develops a culture that supports growth, risk-taking, reflection, and continuous improvement.
- Maintains current knowledge of instructional practice, coaching pedagogy, technology trends, teaching strategies, and educational best practices.
- Formulates proposals for revision and development of Board policies related to secondary education.
- Remains visible and available in buildings and at district and community functions to support students and staff.
- Serves as the district’s Title IX Coordinator and provides leadership as chair of the Health Education Advisory Board.
Note: This is not necessarily an exhaustive or all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, functions, or working conditions associated with the job. The school district may add to, modify, or delete any aspect of this job or the position itself at any time as it deems advisable.
Terms of Employment:
Contract: 215 day administrative contract (non-tenure, two-year term)
Salary: Commensurate with experience, with full benefits as per the employment agreement. Salary range of $95,000 – $105,000.
Application Process:
Applicants for the position shall submit the following via https://jobs.redroverk12.com/org/portlandk12 by June 3, 2026: letter of application, resume, copies of credentials.
William Heath, Superintendent
Portland Public Schools
1100 Ionia Road
Portland, MI 48875
Questions about the position or the district can be sent to William Heath, Superintendent, Portland Public Schools at [email protected] or 517-647-4161
No person applying for employment at Portland Public Schools shall, on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, (including sexual orientation and transgender identity), disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information or any other legally protected category, (collectively, “Protected Classes”), in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities. We are an equal opportunity employer.
E-mail: [email protected]
