Careers

Job Openings

BTR Director of Student Learning

This senior-level position at BTR is charged with ensuring that BTR optimizes its efforts at every level of the organization to maximize student learning.  This person will lead the organization’s efforts to understand why certain teachers produce great student learning gains and ensure these learnings are thoroughly embedded into BTR’s program and disseminated to BTR’s network and beyond. 

This position leads BTR’s efforts to discern what factors – both personal and programmatic - contribute to the development of effective teachers.  As such, this position:
• Leads BTR’s investigation into the effects possible variables affecting teacher effectiveness, as measured both by student achievement gains and other tools
• Works with program staff to build a set of tools to articulate what is meant by effective teaching, and a set of supports to help teachers develop those skills
• Ensures that BTR is a leading contributor to the national conversation about effective teaching.

Responsibilities

This position is responsible for:
1. Ensuring the implementation of a reliable, valid and comprehensive system of student learning assessments across all BTR classrooms. 
2. Ensuring the implementation of a “growth” measurement system to enable BTR to ascertain student learning gains across Residents’, Mentors’ and graduates’ classes, and across content areas and grade levels.
3. Identifying and implementing a teacher effectiveness rubric consistent with the research base relating teacher actions to student learning gains.
4. Ensuring the development and adoption of exemplars for effective teaching measures.
5. Leading efforts to develop a student academic assessment data tracking system.
6. Investigating the connections between student achievement and observable teacher practices, program interventions and pre-existing characteristics of applicants.
7. Leading efforts to ensure that BTR is a primary participant in the national conversations about teacher effectiveness and teacher development.
8. Working closely with BTR program and recruitment teams to embed teacher effectiveness measures in all aspects of BTR’s work and to capture learnings from that work.
9. Publishing findings internally and externally regarding BTR’s process and outcomes towards making student achievement the focus of its work

Requisite Qualifications and Experience

Qualifications:
• Eight years relevant work experience
• Doctorate (preferred)
• Demonstrated experience and commitment to public education reform and educational equity with emphasis on efforts to support the learning of students who live in poverty, English Language Learners, and Students of Color
• Experience in quantitative and qualitative research and analysis as well as developing and maintaining data systems and or analytical tools
• Excellent qualitative and quantitative analytical skills
• Excellent oral communication skills and persuasive strategic communication skills
• Excellent project management skills – ability to manage large, long-term, complex projects
• Close attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to translate research into action that delivers desired outcomes
• Team player and provocateur
• Sense of humor

To Apply.  Please go to the link below to submit an application form:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=dG5VUFYwZ3pVMXJFMFJjV2xkX0FxTnc6MQ

Once you have completed the survey, please write “BTR Director of Student Learning” in the subject line and email your resume and cover letter to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or fax to 617-227-8446.

You can also mail your resume and cover letter to:
Boston Teacher Residency
Attention: BTR Director of Student Learning
6 Beacon St., #615
Boston, MA 02108

BTR Program Associate

The BTR Program Associate is a full-time position supporting the operational departments within the Boston Teacher Residency, including Recruitment/Admissions, Data/Evaluation, AmeriCorps, and Administration. 

Responsibilities

Recruitment
• Answer all incoming calls and emails to the general BTR phone line and email box. 
• Set up and run information sessions regularly.
• Create BTR information packets for career fairs, information sessions, etc.
• Register and request checks for recruiters’ travel
• Collect, track and file new resident paperwork

Admissions
• Assist with and attend all Selection Days, including making copies, rater folders, finalist packets, signs, name tags, entering all Selection Day ratings into the database, and breakdown of all Selection Day materials after the event. 
• Prepare for Admissions Committee meeting for each admissions cycle
• Assist with entering data into Apply Yourself (AY) system, including transcripts
• Creating and keeping applicants files updated, including application, transcripts, MTEL scores, etc.

Data/Evaluation
• Enter timesheet, MTEL (Mass. Test for Educator Licensure), and PPA (Pre-performance Assessment) data into ETO (Efforts to Outcomes) system
• Run reports requested by BTR staff
• Assist with creation of and administering surveys from KeySurvey
• File all AmeriCorps paperwork for residents
• Do other data entry as necessary

General Administration
• Write weekly Resident Newsletters
• Assist with resident graduation, including mailing invitations and event set-up and take-down
• Add content to myBTR as necessary

NOTE:  This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Requisite Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to make public presentations.
• Strong organizational skills to work efficiently and independently; ability to work independently and meet deadlines, as well as ability to work with team
• Demonstrated project management skills and ability to manage multiple and competing priorities
• A customer service-based approach
• Ability to interact with a diverse population
• Experience in education/non-profit a plus
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Access; proficiency with databases and online systems; comfort and experience with internet marking and social media; ability to effectively use and learn new technologies

Other Skills/Abilities
• Willingness and flexibility to work evenings as required by recruitment activities
• Sense of humor a plus!

To Apply

If you are interested in this position, please go to the link below to submit an application form.

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=dG5VUFYwZ3pVMXJFMFJjV2xkX0FxTnc6MQ

Once you have completed the survey, please write “BTR Program Associate” in the subject line and email your resume and cover letter to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or fax to 617-227-8446.

You can also mail your resume and cover letter to:
Boston Plan for Excellence
Attention: BTR Program Associate
6 Beacon St., #615
Boston, MA 02108

Boston Plan for Excellence is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Instructional Design Specialist for Teacher Leadership Courses

A federal Teacher Quality Partnership grant awarded in April to BTR, BPE, BPS, Wheelock and UMASS Boston has provided resources to support a suite of partnership activities that will build a continuum of teacher preparation and professional development with a focus on accelerating student achievement. These activities include establishing a “teacher leadership credential” that will “prepare teachers to assume leadership roles in their schools without leaving the classroom.”

The Instructional Design Specialist will partner with the Director of the new Teacher Leadership Resource Center (TLRC) to support cohorts of experienced teacher leaders to develop and pilot seminar materials that will be effective for building capacity for teacher leadership in Boston. The core skills and competencies that will be the focus of the Specialist’s work, and in which the Specialist should have expertise, are:

Using Data
• Understanding and analyzing data
• Communicating with data
• Using data to inform decisions about instruction, leadership and personal professionalism
• Communicating high expectations for all students and professionals in the community
• Supporting accountability for quality work

Instruction
• Recognizing good instruction
• Understanding principles of adult learning
• Providing growth-oriented feedback on instruction
• Designing and implementing effective professional learning experiences
• Evaluating instructional resources

Shared Leadership
• Building and sustaining a collaborative professional culture and shared ownership
• Understanding systems and schools, managing change and supporting organizational learning
• Decision-making and consensus-building
• Promoting equitable schools and allocation of resources
• Collaborating with families and leveraging community partnerships

Personal Professionalism
• Being professional (integrity, self-awareness, fairness, self-control, resilience)
• Communicating, organizing work and facilitating meetings efficiently
• Using and producing education research; staying current in professional knowledge & issues
• Reflecting on professional practice
• Advocating for students, schools, community, quality instruction and the profession

This position provides an ideal opportunity for an educator who is passionate about teacher leadership, knowledgeable about instructional design, and experienced in facilitating adult learning to be able to have a significant impact on student learning and on stronger teaching and leadership in Boston. This position will report directly to the Teacher Leadership Resource Center Director.  The work is part-time: The Specialist’s contract will be based on an average of 8 hours per week for one year.

Responsibilities

The Instructional Design Specialist will help to design syllabi for seminars offered by the TLRC and will serve as lead instructor for at least two of the seminars. In this capacity the Specialist will have responsibility for facilitating professional learning in ways that ground it in teachers’ job-embedded work, observing the teacher leaders in action, providing growth-oriented feedback and ensuring the quality of the products that are produced. 

The Instructional Design Specialist will provide support to groups of 10-12 experienced teacher leaders within the structure of a 4-credit seminar, during which the Specialist will support the teachers to:
• Research the competencies that have been defined within each skill area
• Define accomplished practice of each competency
• Identify the knowledge required
• Make connections to related skills and dispositions
• Develop exercises or tasks that can help develop and practice the competency
• Define indicators for assessing competency
• Pilot these competency-development resources with cohorts of teacher leaders
• Incorporate technology tools and/or online learning resources

In addition, the Instructional Design Specialist will have responsibility for compiling, synthesizing and/or organizing the seminar products into resources that will useful for teaching 3-credit graduate courses on teacher leadership to teachers in the future.

Requisite Qualifications and Experience

• Masters degree in education or related field
• Minimum five years teaching experience in an urban K-12 district
• Minimum three years of experience in a formal teacher leadership role
• Demonstrated expertise in the “core skills and competencies”
• Experience facilitating adult learning/ leading professional development sessions
• Experience teaching in an institution of higher education, preferred
• Experience working with a range of learners and learning styles
• Building, leading and sustaining strong and effective teams
• Very strong oral, written, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Strong computer skills, including all MS Office software and online collaboration tools
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment
• Experience managing large projects
• Sense of humor, a plus

To Apply:
Deadline for applications has been extended to August 15, 2010. Please write “TLRC Instructional Design Specialist” in the subject line and email your resume and a thoughtful cover letter to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or fax to 617-227-8446.
You can also mail your resume and a thoughtful cover letter to: Boston Plan for Excellence, 6 Beacon St. #615, Boston, MA 02108

Senior Associate for Research and Policy, Boston Plan for Excellence

The Boston Plan for Excellence (BPE) is a nonprofit organization focused on advancing systemic school reform to improve teaching, leadership, and student learning in the Boston Public Schools. BPE draws upon a body of research and knowledge, qualitative and quantitative data analyses, and practice-based experience to design, implement, and improve innovative reform strategies and to guide its emerging strategic relations and policy agenda. This position is integral to BPE’s ability to build on, strengthen, and advance the organization’s existing research and knowledge base so that our work remains focused on using data to inform our school and district reform strategy.
The ideal Senior Associate for Research and Policy will have proven experience in designing and conducting research in school or related settings, proficiency utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, and strong analytical skills, including mastery of Excel, SPSS, and other analytical tools. Experience or strong interest in urban education reform and the ability to synthesize and translate data and research for educators, policymakers, BPE’s partners, and the public is also required.  Knowledge of or interest in research on human capital development, teacher effectiveness, school leadership, school improvement, school culture, student engagement, data use , district improvement, and other matters related to urban education reform is a plus.
The Senior Associate for Research and Policy will join the Communications, Policy, and Research team, working closely with the Senior Director of Strategic Relations to develop BPE’s research agenda and will be responsible for its implementation, including managing research assistants and other members of the research team.  This person will also manage all of BPE’s internal and external program evaluations.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and synthesize existing BPE data sets (both quantitative and qualitative) to identify key findings that inform BPE’s program and strategy development
• Play a key role in developing BPE’s research agenda, assuming responsibility for leading and directing its implementation over time.
• Conduct and coordinate short- and long-term research projects, including responding to periodic, ad-hoc requests. Lead all phases of research, including designing, planning, data collection, database development, data analyses (quantitative and qualitative), synthesis, and communicating results through reports or other methods.
• Take initiative for building and expanding BPE’s knowledge base across core reform areas described above (e.g., teacher effectiveness, leadership, etc.) in support of its school-based work and strategic relations agenda.
• Manage internal and external program evaluations, including selection and coordination of evaluation partners, external research advisors, and consultants.
• Assist the Director of Data Support in developing innovative data tools and analyses that support ongoing inquiry work in Boston schools.
• Effectively synthesize and summarize research and data analysis findings into reports, briefs, and presentations for BPE Management Team, BPE Board, school and district staff, policymakers, partners, and other internal and external audiences.
• Collaborate with members of the Data, Communications, Policy, and Research Team to develop and implement BPE’s strategic relations agenda.
• Share insights from research, evaluations, and data analyses to inform the improvement of BPE’s school-based work.
• Represent BPE at relevant meetings, conferences, and events and help develop strategic partnerships with local and national researchers and policymakers to leverage BPE’s work both locally and nationally.
• Manage daily, weekly, and monthly project needs, including staffing capacity, timelines, and accountability for results.
• Actively participate in team and BPE staff meetings, collaborative decision-making and projects.
• Develop and pursue a professional learning plan focused on key competencies required to be successful in this job.

Requisite Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s in education, public policy, or related field (PhD a plus)
• At least five years experience in educational or related research
• Knowledge of urban education reform
• Experience with program evaluation
• Knowledge of and experience with both qualitative and quantitative research methods
• Proficiency in using statistical software programs, including SPSS or STATA and Excel
• Excellent oral communication skills
• Ability to write clearly, succinctly, and accurately for multiple audiences
• Ability to take initiative and work independently, multi-tasking, without much supervision
• Ability to work collaboratively with others
• Comfortable with ambiguity and flexible work plans and goals that adapt based on changing conditions
• Commitment to urban public education

Desired Skills and Experience
• Familiarity with the Boston Public School’s reform efforts
• Background in teaching or school-based work, particularly in urban education

To Apply
If you are interested in this position, please go to link below and complete application form

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=dG5VUFYwZ3pVMXJFMFJjV2xkX0FxTnc6MQ

Once you have done so:

Please write “Senior Associate for Research and Policy” in the subject line and email your resume and cover letter to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or fax to 617-227-8446

You can also mail your resume and cover letter to:
Boston Plan for Excellence
Attention: Director of Strategic Relations
6 Beacon St., #615
Boston, MA 02108

Boston Plan for Excellence is an equal opportunity employer.

Boston Teacher Residency Partnership Alumni and Placement Manager

The Boston Teacher Residency Partnership (BTRP) Alumni and Placement Manager will be a new position supporting the work of a partnership of educational organizations, specifically Boston Public Schools (BPS), University of Massachusetts Boston (Teach Next Year program - TNY); Wheelock College, and the Boston Teacher Residency (BTR). This position will be a joint placement within BPS and BTR. 

The Alumni and Placement Manager is a full-time position which provides an ideal opportunity for someone who is passionate about public education, has developed and sustained programs, and has experience working for an urban school district.

Responsibilities

Alumni Program

Develop alumni program for current and future graduates of BTR and TNY.  Create alumni programming centered around four main areas: internal community-building, professional development, “Friends of BTR”,  and advocacy for education and school improvements.
o Internal community building – host bi-monthly social events, manage on-line community (intranet, Facebook),  and create regular alumni newsletter
o Friends of BTR – cultivate interest and active participation in recruitment, admissions committee, mentoring, and course instruction
o Professional development –develop and manage an advisory committee for induction professional development courses, seminars, content and/or grade-level support groups; launch annual BTR symposium
o Advocacy – develop and run alumni advisory board; organize regular advocacy roundtables with alumni and key political, educational, and district stakeholders

Licensure and Hiring
Manage the licensure and placement efforts of BTR and TNY grads each hiring season.  The licensure process includes:
• Develop streamlined licensure process that is internally well-planned and communicated to all staff and graduating residents
• Manage licensure endorsement applications for all residents for the Department of Secondary and Elementary Education

The hiring process includes resident support and outreach. 
• Resident support consists of providing information and resources to graduating residents to successfully prepare them for the BPS hiring process.  Activities include hosting resume workshops, support around portfolio creation, interview practice workshops, and general BPS hiring information sessions. 
• Outreach efforts are geared towards marketing graduating residents to potential employers (principals and headmasters of Boston’s public schools).  Activities include creation of bio and resume booklets, planning hiring fairs, and meetings with principals and headmasters. 

Requisite Qualifications and Experience

• Very strong oral, written, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Strong relationship building skills
• Event planning skills
• Experience with job training, placement, and career services
• Marketing and communications experience (design and publication)
• Computer skills required, including all MS Office software
• Comfort with on-line technology, including social networking and knowledge sharing communities
• Knowledge of hiring practices within urban school districts preferred
• Experience teaching a plus
• Sense of humor a must!

To Apply:

If you are interested in this position, please go to the link below to submit an application form. 
https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=dG5VUFYwZ3pVMXJFMFJjV2xkX0FxTnc6MQ
Once you have completed the survey, please write “Alumni/Placement Manager” in the subject line and email your resume and cover letter to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or fax to 617-227-8446.

You can also mail your resume and cover letter to: 
Boston Plan for Excellence
Attention: Alumni/Placement Manager
6 Beacon St., #615
Boston, MA 02108

Boston Plan for Excellence is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.