New Mexico Manager of Programs and Policy

What We Do

Teach Plus is a national nonprofit whose mission is to empower excellent, experienced, and diverse teachers to take leadership over key policy and practice issues that advance equity, opportunity, and student access. The Teach Plus team exists to breathe life into the Student Opportunity Mandate: All students should have the opportunity to achieve their potential in an education system defined by its commitment to equity, responsiveness to individual needs, and ability to prepare students for postsecondary success. At the heart of our work is advocacy for collective impact, beginning with classroom teachers.

At Teach Plus, we believe in equity-driven teacher leadership. When we invest in developing our most talented teachers into teacher leaders who are well-informed, persuasive, and prepared to lead, they have deep leverage in advancing equity for students, especially for students of color, low-income students, and those from underserved communities. To close the opportunity gap and to ensure equitable access to a world-class education for all students in the schools and communities we serve, we ignite systems change at multiple levels through our Policy Fellowship and Instructional Leadership programs designed to inspire and equip teachers. We are committed to leading change in our Equity Focus Areas.

New Mexico recently completed an inquiry process to learn more about effective levers for change and developed a roadmap of success aimed at long-term goals and outcomes for students. A state vision report (draft) has been developed, including programs and projects aligned to support the vision in New Mexico.

What You’ll Do

Reporting to the New Mexico Executive Director, you will manage the state policy and teacher leadership programs, which prepare high-potential, highly effective teachers to become exemplary educators, peers, and trusted partners for decision-makers at the school and state level. You will use your policy and advocacy experience to develop teachers as equity advocates and leaders, supporting them in developing their skill sets through high-quality virtual and in-person training with industry experts.

As a credible broker between policymakers, teachers, and school leaders, you will leverage your own relationships and local partnerships to create opportunities for teacher leaders to influence critical issues. You will monitor and support the development of individual teacher and teacher team projects, from ideation to implementation, across an array of NM schools. You will also support other organizational policy work across the state through engaging in coalitions, meeting with decision-makers, and developing advocacy campaigns. The Manager of Policy and Programs will be responsible for the following:

Teacher Leader Development

The Manager of Policy and Programs will bring their educational policy and advocacy experience to develop the skills of teacher leaders in our current programs (Teaching Policy Fellowship and our Innovation Change Agent programs) and support co-designing future programming aim to support teachers in leveraging their personal experience and learnings to address a specific issue at their school and/or state level, ultimately working to impact systems change. In this role, you would specifically:

• Develop strong relationships with Teach Plus Policy Fellows and Innovation Change Agents. Ultimately, you will serve as their talent agent, providing them with opportunities to lead and advocate for their students within their schools or at the state Capitol.
• Provide strategic policy and advocacy coaching - advice, research, training, and input to teachers as they write op-eds, meet with policymakers, testify, and participate in community organizing efforts at the local, state, and national levels.
• Utilize the teacher leader attributes and individual goal setting to differentiate the support and training for teachers, ensuring learning and growth in their targeted areas for personal development.
• Oversee and support teacher leaders by ensuring they have access to timely information that can support their learning related to skill development, content related to their issue, support for research, and data analysis.
• Monitor the progress of projects for impact towards desired goals, develop a timeline for tracking progress, and collaborate closely with the NM Executive Director and other Teach Plus staff to ensure goals are met.

Program Management and Outreach

In partnership with the New Mexico Executive Director, the Manager of Policy and Programs will be responsible for day-to-day program and project management for programs, enabling teachers to have an impact on critical policy issues through:

• Program Design and Delivery:
  • Use and strengthen the existing Teach Plus curriculum and, as needed, develop new resources to train and coach teachers. Engage teachers in differentiated ways that empower them to be advocates and community organizers on issues that align with the state's strategic plan.
  • In partnership with our Program and Operations team, coordinate the logistics of monthly virtual training sessions for each program and twice-yearly in-person retreats (including assigned readings, lectures, guest speakers, group discussions, and project management of working groups).
• Data and Evaluation:
  • Collect and analyze data throughout the year focused on teacher experience and efficacy. At the end of each program year, develop and present recommendations to the Executive Director related to program effectiveness and plans for continuous improvements.
• Networking and Outreach
  • Develop relationships with stakeholders and decision-makers, support their collaboration with teacher leaders aimed at specific goals, ensuring teacher voice is strategically elevated.
  • Support teacher engagement in our research projects including, training them how to engage with focus groups, surveys, and legislative action
  • Lead communications for the state social media platforms that aim to inform, engage, and activate teachers across our state Network.

Who You Are

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Significant experience in policy, advocacy, and/or community organizing, especially within the New Mexico state agencies and Legislature
• Experience in the educational areas outlined in the New Mexico vision report (draft), including, but not limited to, the charter school sector, with a strong understanding of the New Mexico charter landscape, high-quality data systems, and secondary programs.
• An unwavering commitment to advancing equity and improving public education, including supporting outstanding and diverse teachers to contribute to the success of all students
• Strong project management skills and the ability to complete projects independently
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, relationship-building, and interpersonal skills
• Adult facilitation and coaching skills with the ability to mobilize a group to enact change
• Teaching experience is a significant plus

Our Commitment to Diversity

To better serve the teachers and students at the core of our mission, Teach Plus is committed to maximizing the diversity of our organization. We are an equal-opportunity employer and encourage individuals of all ethnic and racial backgrounds and gender identities to apply to our positions.

Location, Travel, and Commitment

Candidates must reside in New Mexico and be willing to travel as needed. This role requires some nights and weekends to support policy sessions and meet with teachers and policymakers.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is between $80,000-$90,000. The salary offered will be determined based on the selected candidate's specific qualifications, years of relevant experience, specialized knowledge, and internal equity. Teach Plus provides a comprehensive benefits package and time-off, including 15 vacation days, 3 personal days, 5 sick days, 13 holidays, July break, Winter break, paid parental leave, and a 4-week paid sabbatical for every five years of service.

How to Apply

Please complete an online application found here. The application includes essay questions.

The application deadline is December 2, 2024, and the start date is early January 2025.

Application Link: https://teachplus.tfaforms.net/328366