Director of Education

The Director of Education will oversee our school year and summer programming at South End Stories. They will design and shape programming, manage the teaching staff, and maintain relationships with program partners.

Program Management & Assessment

• Collaborate with school partners and South End Stories staff to create and gather necessary documentation for programming in public school systems such as managing student data, attendance records, media releases and relevant demographic information required for grant reporting
• Collaboratively design programs with teachers, the SES Executive Director, and partners
• Manage timelines for ongoing programs to determine alignment with curriculum and culminating showcases
• Manage logistical needs for in-person programming
• Collaborate with Director of Curriculum and Assessment on evaluation process and facilitate its implementation with school partners & program participants
• Support/manage teaching staff through mentorship, training, check ins, etc.
  • Onboarding of new Teaching Artists and Program Coordinators
  • Assigning programs to Teaching Artists - scheduling & coordination, determining the best fit based on their strengths & availability
  • Onboarding at the beginning of a new program and frequent check-ins throughout the duration of the program - virtually
• Problem solve as first point of contact for any issues that come up during programs

Curriculum Development

• Research and develop curricula for use in SES programming in collaboration with Teaching Artists and Executive Director
• Design programming specific to each partner/community that is grounded in youth-centered learning that values each student's Community Cultural Wealth
• Collaborate with partners towards standards aligned, arts integrated curriculum
• Manage and support teaching artists in the facilitation of curricula
• Be prepared to substitute as a Teaching Artist, as needed

Hiring & Expenses

• Manage hiring process for new program positions, including working on job descriptions, drafting interview questions, arranging interviews, and running interviews
• Oversee supplies & equipment and make sure spending is within budget in collaboration with the SES Leadership Team
• Review and approve program-related expenses submitted by teaching artists, including overseeing the reimbursement and receipt submission process

Scheduling & Communications

• Manage scheduling, calendar invites, and reminders for SES meetings and events such as our annual multidisciplinary Arts Showcase and other showcases that occur throughout the academic school year
• Act as the point of contact and collaboration at SES for partners
• Manage email communications for all those involved in ongoing projects (including SES employees/contractors, school partners, and community partners as needed)
• Create and/or proofread newsletters, lesson plans, and other South End Stories communications

Meetings

• Create agendas and facilitate weekly staff meetings with teaching artists:
  • include report backs from Teaching Artists about their work at program site
  • important organizational announcements such as events, showcases, trainings, reminders, and ongoing training or professional development opportunities
• Regular meetings/mentorship sessions with SES Teaching Artists
• Attend and occasionally facilitate meetings as needed for:
  • SES Leadership Team
  • SPS partner teachers & administrators
  • Community partners
  • In person Teaching Artist gatherings, retreats, and trainings

Grants

• Edit applications for new grant opportunities in collaboration with our grant consultants and the SES Leadership Team
• Provide narrative reports about programming to be included in grant applications & deliverables

Qualifications

Professional Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in K-12 public schools, teaching artistry, arts education, or other relevant field
• Experience managing teams or programs: Direct experience supervising staff, especially teaching artists or educators, including hiring, onboarding, and ongoing support
• Experience collaborating with school districts and community partners, particularly in co-designing programs and aligning with educational standards

Pedagogical & Teaching Expertise

• Strong background in culturally sustaining pedagogy, arts integration, liberatory teaching practices, and/or trauma-conscious education
• Excellent teaching skills and proven ability to train others in inquiry-based teaching methods and other pedagogical approaches
• Ability to develop new and relevant teaching curricula and collaborate with others to design and implement innovative teaching materials for diverse audiences in a variety of settings
• Knowledge of standards-based learning and evaluative methods as well as experience with developing lessons, educational materials, and public programs are important
• Familiarity with teacher training practices, curriculum development strategies, and Washington State Arts Learning Standards

Leadership, Program Management & Staff Support

• Staff development & mentorship: Ability to nurture professional growth through training, feedback, and individualized support
• Experienced in project management: demonstrated ability to direct and implement complex, multi-site programming with many moving parts, including scheduling, logistics, and deliverables

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

• Excellent oral, written, research, communication, organizational, administrative, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to think strategically and maintain a big-picture perspective when building and sustaining meaningful partner relationships.
• Skilled at maintaining ongoing communication and trust with diverse stakeholders, including administrators, teachers, and funders
• Proficiency in both Spanish and English is a valued asset for this role, but it is not required

Community & Cultural Knowledge

• Knowledge of Seattle cultural community and public school system
• Background in Theatre of the Oppressed, Ethnic Studies and/or restorative justice preferred
• Commitment to anti-racism and equity in education: Not just familiarity, but a demonstrated history of applying liberatory or restorative frameworks in leadership and teaching

Compensation + Benefits

Our team strives towards non-hierarchical decision making that trusts the expertise, lived experience and wisdom of everyone in our organization. While we each hold different responsibilities, we share a commitment to ensuring South End Stories’ youth programming continues and thrives. We work collaboratively and flexibly, honoring one another as collaborators, artists, and whole, complex people. We are humans first, before we are workers.

Compensation/Work Schedule: 32 hours a week at $50, ranging 35,000 - 40,000 annually. South End Stories works Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm, some nights & weekends for special events & training. Employees create their own schedules within the workday. You’ll need to be available for at least part of the working day for virtual and in-person meetings.

As part of the South End Stories team, you’ll enjoy:

• Paid Holidays & Sick Leave
• Flexible working hours
• Unlimited PTO
• Comprehensive Benefits – including Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage

To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter introducing yourself, share your interest in the role, and highlight your relevant experience and expertise. You can send all applications to info@southendstories-artsed.com.

Our team strives towards non-hierarchical decision making that trusts the expertise, lived experience and wisdom of everyone in our organization. While we each hold different responsibilities, we share a commitment to ensuring South End Stories’ youth programming continues and thrives. We work collaboratively and flexibly, honoring one another as collaborators, artists, and whole, complex people. We are humans first, before we are workers.

Compensation/Work Schedule: 32 hours a week at $50, ranging 35,000 - 40,000 annually. South End Stories works Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm, some nights & weekends for special events & training. Employees create their own schedules within the workday. You’ll need to be available for at least part of the working day for virtual and in-person meetings.

As part of the South End Stories team, you’ll enjoy:

• Paid Holidays & Sick Leave
• Flexible working hours
• Unlimited PTO

Comprehensive Benefits – including Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage