Director of Teaching and Learning (Founding Principal)

Director of Teaching and Learning (Founding Principal)

Location: Nashville, TN

Our preferred application deadline is October 31,2024. Please note that we do not guarantee review of applications received after this date.

Position Summary

Nurses Middle College Nashville (NursesMC™-Nashville) is seeking a dynamic, experienced, and entrepreneurial Director of Teaching and Learning (Founding Principal) to lead the launching of the academic program of the newest expansion of the Nurses Middle College model. As the senior academic leader of the organization, the Director of Teaching and Learning (Founding Principal) will report to the Executive Director of NursesMC™-Nashville and work closely in partnership with the Director of Nursing to set and maintain the vision of a culture of health for the school.

Who We Are

The NursesMC™ charter high school model was created in 2011 as a solution to the critical nursing shortage and to ensure a diverse nursing/healthcare workforce to improve health equity outcomes. The flagship school, located in Providence, RI, has received national and international attention for its innovative design, impressive student achievement, and positive impact on the community. NursesMC™ students receive a rigorous college preparatory curriculum, participate in health care internships, obtain an entry level patient care workforce certificate, and earn up to 16 transferable college credits towards a nursing/healthcare provider postsecondary degree.

NursesMC™-Nashville will be a separate 501c3 organization with its own board of directors, working collaboratively with NursesMC™, the charter management organization, to develop the Nashville school in accordance with the NursesMC™ model.

(NursesMC™ is on a mission to transform lives and improve patient care by putting students from backgrounds underrepresented in healthcare on a path to a nursing career. Modeled on the network’s flagship school in Providence, RI, NursesMC™-Nashville will give students a rich, hands-on, rigorous educational experience unlike any other.

• Nursing/health care content will be infused throughout the college preparatory curriculum.
• Students will engage in learning experiences at area healthcare facilities, including a 40+hour clinical internship.
• Nurses and other area health professionals will teach and mentor students.
• All students will earn a certified nursing assistant (CNA) certificate or other healthcare workforce credential so they can earn while they learn.
• Students will dually enroll in college courses at no cost. They will learn what it takes to succeed in college and earn credits they can transfer to reduce the time and money they spend earning a degree.

The school will be open to all Metro Nashville Public School (MNPS) students who complete the 8th grade. Enrollees will meet all standard graduation requirements in addition to graduating with a minimum of three college credits, a credit bearing internship, and a CNA certificate. Nashville needs nurses, and as the city’s first nursing high school, NursesMC™-Nashville will benefit not only students and their families, but employers, patients, and the community at large.

Position Overview

The Director of Teaching and Learning (Founding Principal) is responsible for the strategic oversight, development, and management of all academic programs within the school. This role requires leadership in curriculum development, faculty management, academic policy implementation, and the continuous improvement of teaching and learning outcomes. The Director ensures that the NursesMC™-Nashville’s academic mission aligns with both internal goals and external standards of excellence. The ability to set a tone that emphasizes the NursesMC™ Pillars of Nursing—character, scholarship, compassion and empathy, and professionalism—will be key to success in this role.

Key Responsibilities

Managerial leadership and team development

• Attract, hire, onboard and retain high quality educators in partnership with the Executive Director.
• Build a strong, cohesive team culture that reflects the core values of NursesMC™-Nashville.
• Conduct educator classroom observations and performance evaluations and set appropriate and ambitious goals for faculty. Provide best practice coaching and evidence-based professional development based on needs of individuals/school to ensure high-quality teaching and instruction.
• Implement practices to appropriately recognize and reward excellence and effectively address developing performance.
• Ensure all academic initiatives align with the NursesMC™ model.

Educational leadership and academic support

• Develop, implement, and manage long-range strategic plans, direction and goals for curriculum, student evaluation, and instructional improvement.
• Ensure strong instructional systems and processes are in place.
• Support curriculum implementation in alignment with the NursesMC™ mission, vision, values and priorities, initiatives, and strategic plan.
• Ensure school level academic priorities and goals for student academic success are set and met, alongside the NursesMC™ CMO; utilize data-driven instruction to monitor student progress and make informed instructional decisions.
• Engage faculty in weekly academic program analysis and progress monitoring to evaluate student performance.
• Implement differentiation and intervention strategies to meet the diverse needs of all learners.
• Prepare and present quarterly academic program analysis reports to the Executive Director.
• Stay informed of educational research, trends, practices, and proposed legislation that might impact the school’s academic mission or performance.
• Consistently, enthusiastically, and deliberately promote and model the NursesMC™ Pillars of Nursing: character, scholarship, compassion and empathy, and professionalism; act on the belief that all students can learn; and advocate on their behalf.

Culture and Engagement

• Promote a student-centered culture and learning environment that supports academic achievement, retention, and engagement.
• Drive and navigate positive growth and change in partnership with staff and the school community.
• Create and cultivate partnerships within family/caregiver, district, and greater community spheres to support the achievement of the school's mission and vision.
• Develop and implement a communication strategy to ensure that families are engaged in their students’ academic experience; communicate consistently and effectively with internal and external stakeholders (e.g., through open houses, calls, events, etc.).
• Collaborate with school partners to ensure effectiveness of services and programming provided.

Preferred Qualifications

• Passion for the NursesMC™-Nashville mission including high expectations for students, faculty, and staff and a belief that all students can achieve success
• Three or more years of academic leadership experience in a charter high school; experience or certification in restorative justice and restorative practices preferred
• Documented track record collecting and analyzing student data and performing evidence-based decision-making
• Demonstrated ability to strategize, anticipate operational roadblocks and implement timely solutions
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proven ability to work with and inspire people among people of varied experiences and backgrounds a willingness to listen and respond to student and community needs
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, identify priorities according to organizational goals, and meet deadlines
• Skills and willingness to solve complex challenges with innovative ideas and teamwork
• Demonstrated ability to support a community of individuals with diverse perspectives and cultures in an inclusive environment
• Strong entrepreneurial instincts (e.g., self-starter, self-directed, results-oriented, creative, independent worker, team player) and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment that prioritizes educational equity

Other requirements

• Master’s degree, certification from a TN Board-approved instructional leader preparation program, and a building-level administration (pre-K–12) or superintendent certification
• Criminal background clearance with fingerprinting
• Proof of U.S. citizenship, residency or work visa

Salary and Benefits

The salary for this role is competitive. In addition, NursesMC™-Nashville offers a versatile benefit package to all eligible employees, which includes medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance plans; an integrated Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) plan; Flexible Spending Account (FSA) option; Retirement 403(b) Plan; Teacher Pension Plan; Employee Assistance Program (EAP); FICA, Medicare and State Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) programs; paid holidays; paid time off (PTO); and professional development opportunities. NursesMC-Nashville is loyal and committed to employees, and the provision of a robust benefits package is just one way in which we prove that commitment.

Application Information

Interested and qualified applicants should apply here. Note: the application deadline for this position is October 31, 2024. We do not guarantee review of applications submitted after this date.

Nurses Middle College Nashville does not engage in discriminatory employment practices based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, or national origin, nor in actions to refuse or deny the full and equal enjoyment of goods, facilities and accommodations available to the public, based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, or national origin. As an equal opportunity employer, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are at the core of who we are. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve where everyone feels empowered as we celebrate multiple approaches and points of view. We are committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination.