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Director, STEM

Reports to: Chief Academic Officer

12-month Employee

High Level: The Director of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) builds instructional staff capacity and elevates student achievement in science and mathematics across grades K–8 by designing, coaching, and monitoring high-quality, standards-aligned instruction. This role balances consistency across grades with responsiveness to student data, ensuring instruction reflects how science and mathematics are practiced in the real world and prepares scholars to think, reason, and problem-solve like scientists, engineers, and mathematicians.

Overview: Adelante Schools is a non-profit school management organization in Indianapolis, Indiana, operating K–8 schools that serve scholars and families across the city. Our mission is to create joyous neighborhood schools that prepare scholars for rigorous academic pathways and lives of leadership.

Adelante uses Amplify Science as the anchor for K–8 science instruction and a high-quality, standards-aligned approach to mathematics instruction that emphasizes conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, and application.

Mathematics instruction at Adelante aligns with the Indiana Academic Standards for Mathematics, emphasizing:

• Deep conceptual understanding
• Mathematical reasoning and discourse
• Application of math in real-world contexts
• Coherent progression across grade levels

By the end of 8th grade, Adelante scholars are expected to demonstrate strong mathematical reasoning, problem-solving, and readiness for rigorous high school coursework, alongside a deep and durable understanding of science.

Integration Across STEM:

This role ensures strong alignment between science and math instruction, supporting scholars in applying mathematical thinking within scientific contexts (e.g., data analysis, modeling, measurement, and problem-solving).

Literacy Connection:

Science and math learning at Adelante are intentionally integrated with literacy development. The Director ensures instruction supports reading, writing, and knowledge-building, including:

• Academic vocabulary (science and math)
• Mathematical discourse and explanation
• Comprehension of complex informational and quantitative texts

Looking ahead, Adelante Schools plans to pursue Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) STEM School Certification. The Director of STEM will align their work to the K–8 STEM Certified Schools Guidance, which provides a structured pathway for schools to embed STEM practices into instruction, culture, and community partnerships.

This work emphasizes integration of the STEM disciplines across grade levels and alignment with Indiana’s Integrated STEM Standards, ensuring students develop the skills and habits of mind needed to succeed in college, careers, and civic life.

Responsibilities:

Instructional Design & Alignment

• Lead the design and continuous refinement of a coherent K–8 science and math instructional approach.
• Ensure instruction reflects the conceptual shifts of both Indiana Science and Math Standards, including:
• Real-world application and problem-solving
• Coherent progression K–8
• Deep conceptual understanding alongside application
• Partner with the STEM team to ensure strong alignment across science, math, technology, and engineering.
• Develop and maintain expertise in science and math assessments, ensuring alignment with standards and rigor.
• Support the integration of mathematical thinking within science instruction, including:
• Data analysis and interpretation
• Measurement and modeling
• Use of quantitative reasoning in scientific investigations
• Support the intentional integration of Computer Science concepts, including computational thinking, problem decomposition, and logical reasoning, within science instruction and STEM programming.
• Design and support science instruction that is accessible to all learners, including Multilingual Learners (MLL) and students with disabilities, by:
• Supporting the use of language supports, visual models, and hands-on investigations that make complex scientific ideas accessible
• Ensuring instructional tasks and assessments allow students multiple ways to demonstrate understanding aligned to three-dimensional expectations.
• Partnering with MLL and special education staff to strengthen instructional planning and coherence across classrooms

Coaching & Professional Learning

• Coach teachers in high-quality science and math instruction, including:
• Science: phenomena-based lessons, investigations, engineering tasks
• Math: conceptual understanding, discourse, problem-solving, and application
• Support teachers in lesson internalization across both disciplines.
• Coach teachers to facilitate student discourse, including:
• Scientific argumentation
• Mathematical reasoning and explanations
• Provide regular coaching through observation, modeling, co-planning, and feedback in both content areas.
• Build leader capacity to observe and coach science and math instruction effectively.
• Collaborate with STEM and literacy leaders to design interdisciplinary professional development.

Data-Driven Leadership & Planning

• Leverage Amplify Science’s assessment system, including formative assessments, checkpoints, and benchmark assessments, to evaluate the effectiveness of science instruction.
• Build teacher and leader capacity to analyze data and determine appropriate instructional responses that drive student engagement, growth, and proficiency.

Engage in regular data analysis cycles to drive strategic instructional planning and targeted support.

Support the timely, accurate, and consistent administration of science assessments, ensuring fidelity to Amplify, the math curriculum, and state expectations.

Science & Math Materials & Program Management

• Oversee the organization, readiness, and effective use of science and math instructional materials, including Amplify Science kits, lab supplies, and consumables.
• Partner with school leadership and operations teams to ensure materials are available, maintained, and replenished in alignment with instructional pacing.
• Support teachers in the efficient and safe use of materials to maximize instructional time and student engagement.
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Supplemental & Network Responsibilities

• Support the STEM Team in the design, implementation, and evaluation of initiatives that improve student outcomes in math, science, engineering, and computer science.
• Contribute to cross-functional planning and problem-solving that strengthen Adelante’s instructional model and scholar experience.
• Support long-term planning and alignment toward IDOE STEM School Certification, including alignment to the K–8 STEM Certified Schools guidance and Indiana’s Integrated STEM Standards.
• Other duties as assigned in service of Adelante’s mission and academic priorities.

Qualifications & Expertise

• Minimum of 3+ years of experience teaching science and/or math, preferably in grades K–8
• Preferred: Direct experience implementing Amplify Science with fidelity
• Deep knowledge of the Indiana Academic Standards for Science and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
• Deep knowledge of the Indiana Academic Standards for Science and Mathematics
• Demonstrated expertise in Math instruction that prioritizes conceptual understanding, discourse, and problem-solving
• Strong understanding of Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs) within Indiana’s science framework and NGSS
• Demonstrated expertise in three-dimensional science instruction
• Demonstrated ability to integrate STEM and literacy instruction using principles aligned to the Science of Reading
• Familiarity with Computer Science frameworks or standards and experience embedding computational thinking within science or STEM instruction
• Strong data literacy and the ability to translate assessment data into instructional action
• Proven ability to build trust, coach adults, and partner effectively with school leaders and teachers