Job Description
POSITION: CTE Specialist (Visual Technology)
REPORTS TO: Director of Instructional Technology and ECTE
POSITION TYPE: 12-month
START DATE: Immediate
COMPENSATION: $67,359 - $80,831, Home Office Grade 6
At YES Prep, work for a mission that impacts the life trajectory of students and their families. YES Prep creates pathways to extraordinary opportunity through best-in-class development, competitive compensation and benefits, and recognition for your impact. Grow as an authentic leader and be part of a high-performing, team-oriented culture.
Some quick stats about us:
- 21,000 Students
- 2,600 Team Members
- 16 Secondary Campuses
- 12 Elementary Campuses
- 91% Students Who Qualify for Free/Reduced-Price Lunch
- 96% Hispanic & African-American Students
- 99% Students Who Are Accepted to a 4-Year University
- 85% First-Generation College Students
- Ranked in the Top 100 High Schools in the Nation, U.S. News & World Report
We serve the students of Houston, Texas, the 4th largest city across the United States. There are over 20 public-school districts and other great public charter school options within Houston’s city limits serving our increasing population.
THE OPPORTUNITY
YES Prep is seeking a dynamic CTE Specialist to help shape the future of Career and Technical Education across our district. This is an opportunity to build innovative, high-quality programs that prepare students with the knowledge, technical skills, and professional habits needed to succeed in college, careers, and beyond.
To put it simply, you will design engaging, project-based curriculum, create meaningful assessments, analyze data to improve student outcomes, and provide coaching and professional learning that empowers teachers to deliver exceptional instruction. The initial focus of this role includes Professional Communications courses and the Visual Technology career pathway, supporting courses such Digital Media and Graphic Design & Illustration. You will also lead strategic initiatives that strengthen career pathways, integrate innovative instructional technologies and AI, and expand access to high-quality CTE experiences across the district.
As our programs continue to grow, this role will evolve to provide leadership across additional CTE pathways, offering the opportunity to influence districtwide strategy, build new programs, and shape how thousands of YES Prep students prepare for their futures.
THE ROLE
When you join the YES Prep team, some of the exciting work and responsibilities will include:
Curriculum and Resource Development
- Remaining up to date on standards, pedagogy, and assessment methodology related to CTE courses and instructional technology and communicating updates to key stakeholder;
- Creating and ensuring the implementation of aligned, effective unit plans and instructional materials for CTE courses with a focus on project-based learning, setting a standard for rigorous and meaningful blended learning designed to reach all learners, leading to strong system-wide academic results;
- Working with Director of Instructional Technology and ECTE to build strong vertical alignment across CTE courses and departmental strategies that leads to college-readiness;
- Assisting in the identification, vetting, decision making, and implementation of course-related technology resources such as software/hardware for CTE and instructional technology.
Assessment Writing & Strategy and Data Analysis
- Working with the Director of Instructional Technology and ECTE to develop and refine measurable actionable long-term and short-term district goals for CTE and instructional technology;
- Creating aligned, effective, and valid unit and course assessments for Elective courses to establish ambitious student achievement goals and growth measures;
- Designing and implementing assessment systems and workflows to monitor progress towards student achievement goals;
- Internalizing and utilizing up-to-date student achievement data to drive planning and support, and communicating key takeaways and recommendations to teachers and leaders;
Collaborating with other leaders to refine metrics and goals for CTE courses and programming, including Industry Based Certifications and AP courses, and providing periodic updates and recommendations based on progress.
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Program Development & Reporting
- Maintaining program compliance with state and federal CTE requirements, including CTE PEIMS coding and reporting, Perkins V requirements, legislative requirements and accountability reporting;
- Partnering with Career Readiness and Culture teams to support the development of a comprehensive vision for CCMR, increased opportunities for students, and pathways for post-secondary success and district earning potential;
- Using state reporting and funding information to support the development of a comprehensive CTE strategy aligned to CCMR and funding goals;
- Supporting the development and management of industry-based certification (IBCs) opportunities, including partnering on testing logistics and student readiness;
- Collaborating with district and campus leaders to support CTE enrollment, equity, and access;
- Creating and leading new or pilot programs to expand CTE course access to career-aligned programming and success;
- Supporting CTE budget planning and spending, including grants and state allotments;
- Engaging with industry partners, post-secondary institutions, and advisory boards to align programs to real-world pathways;
Support and Develop Fellow Educators and Leaders
- Planning effective Content Team Days, including coaching teacher-leaders, leading to teacher development and collaboration;
- Collaborating meaningfully with others, such as Special Education team members, Literacy Specialists, and instructional leaders to ensure instruction and teacher support is aligned for students from special populations;
- Regularly designing and facilitating professional development sessions for teachers and/or instructional leaders focused on CTE programming, Instructional Technology, and artificial intelligence (AI) tools and strategies to support student achievement.
THE PERSON
We seek staff with a multitude of backgrounds, talents, interests, and ideas. Certain traits consistently shine through our most successful employees: passion for the mission, drive for results, care for students, and resilience. Other traits needed and desired for this role are:
THE MUST HAVES
- Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year institution
- Minimum of 3 years of successful teaching experience in grades 6-12, including experience in a 1:1 blended learning environment
- Experience designing or writing curriculum for middle or high school students, with a strong understanding of project-based and career-connected learning
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (including Excel), instructional technology tools (Schoology or other LMS platforms, Nearpod, Canva), and digital design software such as Adobe Creative Cloud
- Demonstrated knowledge of design principles, including typography, color theory, branding, layout, composition, and visual storytelling
- Self-starter with strong initiative, follow-through, and a commitment to continuous learning and professional growth
- Strategic thinker with strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills; able to manage multiple priorities and translate vision into actionable plans
- Thrives in a fast-paced, results-driven environment, maintains composure under pressure, and works with a sense of urgency
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to collaborate, influence stakeholders, and give and receive feedback effectively
- Ability to work outside normal business hours and on weekends as needed
THE MUST HAVE BELIEFS
- Belief in and commitment to the mission and core value of YES Prep Public Schools
- Desire to disrupt systemic status quos in education
- Willingness to go above and beyond to disrupt said status quos
- Passion to develop resiliency through a relentless pursuit of jaw-dropping results
- Conviction that high expectations + high accountability = high performance and high growth
THE NICE TO HAVES
- Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, or a technology-based field
- CTE teaching certifications and/or industry-based certifications
- Experience teaching CTE or elective courses in a 1:1 laptop environment, including courses like Digital Media, Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Marketing, or technology
- Experience integrating AI, emerging technologies, multimedia production, UX/UI design, web design, motion graphics, or digital content creation into curriculum.
- Experience leading professional development for educators
- Familiarity with CTE programming, CTE program of study development, career pathways and College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) metrics
- At least 1 year of instructional leadership experience, preferably including coaching teachers in a 1:1 laptop environment
- Portfolio demonstrating both professional design work and curriculum development projects
THE PERKS
- Compensation – This position is an exempt, salaried position; offers commensurate with experience.
- Health and Supplemental Insurance – A $0 monthly medical option or a $24 monthly option that includes $50 YES Prep Paid Health Savings Account contribution, in addition to a variety of supplemental benefits including Dental, Vision, Disability, Life, etc. Employees must work 20+ hours a week to be eligible for a full spectrum of benefits, and 10 hours a week minimum for medical benefits.
- Retirement Plans – Participation in Teacher Retirement System of Texas and an optional 457b Retirement Plan.
- Paid Time Off – Employees working 20+ hours a week receive 15 days of Paid Time Off in addition to the system closures during the Academic Calendar.
- Paid Leave Programming – In the event you need to be out due to medical needs (including maternity and paternity leave), YES Prep offers paid leave, paid out at 100%, based on eligibility and tenure.
- Professional Development - YES Prep values longevity and performance over time. We invest in developing leaders through high-quality programs, effective coaching, and ongoing professional development.
- Award Winning Culture – The strong cultures of our campuses and Home Office are just one of many reasons we were named Houston’s Best Place To Work in 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2025. We won the 2012 Broad Prize for Excellence in Urban Education and were a 2016 finalist as well.
YES Prep is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression, national origin, disability, age, marital status, military status, pregnancy, or parenthood.
