Manager, Music

The Office of Social Emotional Academic Development works with the Chancellor to ensure coherence in the educational experience for our students, families, and schools. Our goal is to initiate change and lead DC Public Schools into the highest performing school district in the nation. We are currently in the process of creating our next strategic plan. After engaging with over 3,000 internal and external stakeholders to help shape the future of DCPS, our draft strategic priorities include:

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  Promote Equity: Define, understand, and promote equity to close achievement gaps and interrupt institutional bias.
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  Empower Our People: Recruit, develop, and retain a talented, caring, and diverse team.
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  Educate the Whole Child: Provide rigorous, joyful and inclusive academic and social emotional experiences for all students.
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  Ensure Excellent Schools: Increase the number of high quality schools across the district by defining blended autonomies for schools and creating opportunities for innovation.
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  Engage Families: Deepen partnerships with families and community.

The mission of the Office of Teaching and Learning (OTL) is to deliver high-quality instructional resources, enhance classroom practice and scale effective programs to increase DCPS student achievement and prepare all students for success in college, career, and life.OTL spans four core competency areas:

• Curriculum;
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  Professional learning;
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  Enrichments and interventions; and
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  Formative assessment.

Team members support school-based staff in implementing DCPS's existing academic programs while simultaneously working to rethink and redesign school programming, academic and curricular resources and educator professional development.

The Academic and Creati ve Empowerment (ACE) Division sets the stage for next-generati on curriculum, assessment, andprofessional development in support of the DCPS mission and vision. The ACE division contains a number of teams supporti ngempowerment of students through content, enrichment, and culti vati on of ambiti on. ACE works with other divisions across theOffi ce of Teaching and Learning (OTL) to leverage existi ng work and provide a consistent framework and infrastructure toensure a joyful and rigorous learning experience for every DCPS student, in every grade, content area, and course.

The Manager, Music is responsible for using their expertise to assist with the development of engaging curriculum and effective professional development, as well as the promotion of instructional best practices district-wide. The Manager, Music will play a key role in the conceptualization, development, and implementation of district-wide professional development for music teachers. The Manager also will be charged with the ongoing implementation of LEAP (Learning together to Advance our Practice), DCPS’ school-based model of professional development, as well as additional professional development experiences for teachers and school leaders to address content standards and research-based best practices within music instruction

The Manager, Music will report to the Director, Arts.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.

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  Applies music curriculum development expertise to setting criteria and framework for developing rigorous college and career preparation curricula in DCPS schools.

  
  

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  Utilizes instructional, adult facilitation, and coaching expertise in content-specific pedagogy, planning, and practice to improve the effectiveness of music instruction in DCPS schools, specifically with a focus on sequential skill development and defined pathways for student pursuit of music from kindergarten through twelfth grade.

  
  

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  Assesses needs of music teachers, content area teachers, and school leaders, including dual language and extended year programs; and assists in the development of professional development opportunities to address those needs and increase the quality of music instruction.

  
  

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  Supports the delivery of school-based and district-wide music professional development through train-the-trainer, co-teaching, and co-planning models, and coordinates all necessary logistics and materials distribution.

  
  

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  Creates detailed timelines for each initiative; assesses and tracks project progress regularly using various computer programs and tools; and drives project completion holding others accountable for responsibilities and deadlines.

  
  

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  Helps manage the analysis and presentation of data and progress of data-driven initiatives for senior management team and external audiences; communicates progress to key stakeholder groups; and incorporates their input.

  
  

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  Anticipates, identifies, and resolves complex obstacles to success of overall music programs, as well as specific projects.

  
  

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  Interviews and surveys other colleagues and management teams to determine opportunities for improvement; researches specific issues; and develops detailed recommendations and implementation plans to resolve the issues.

  
  

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  Builds relationships and liaises with various instructional superintendents, principals, and school-based staff to drive collaboration and project success; and interacts with and responds effectively to urgent requests from multiple internal and external DCPS stakeholders.

  
  

Qualifications

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  Bachelor's degree and four to six years of related work experience with a primary focus on music education instruction, including classroom experience.

  
  

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  Master's degree with a primary focus in Music preferred.

  
  
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  Previous exposure to or experience in the education sector a plus.
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  Expert knowledge of music instruction, research-based instructional practices, adult learning theory, elements of effective professional development, and best practices in facilitation.
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  Dynamic presenter with experience designing and implementing in-person and virtual professional development for adults.
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  Understanding of DCPS Essential Practices/IMPACT a plus.
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  Mobility and flexibility to work between several school sites and Central Office a must.

DCPS Values

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  STUDENTS FIRST: We recognize students as whole children and put their needs first in everything we do.
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  COURAGE: We have the audacity to learn from our successes and failures, to try new things, and to lead the nation as a proof point of PK-12 success.
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  EQUITY: We work proactively to eliminate opportunity gaps by interrupting institutional bias and investing in effective strategies to ensure every student succeeds.
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  EXCELLENCE: We work with integrity and hold ourselves accountable for exemplary outcomes, service, and interactions.
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  TEAMWORK: We recognize that our greatest asset is our collective vision and ability to work collaboratively and authentically.
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  JOY: We enjoy our collective work and will enthusiastically celebrate our success and each other.