Director, Academic Programs (DC) Gallaudet University

Reporting to the Superintendent of the Demonstration Elementary and Secondary Schools, the Director of Academic Programs provides instructional and academic leadership for the Kendall Demonstration Elementary School for the Deaf (KDES), serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing students from birth through grade 8.

The Director oversees curriculum, instruction, assessment, and instructional staff supervision, ensuring high-quality, standards-based teaching and learning across all grade levels at KDES. This role is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Education of the Deaf Act (EDA), IDEA, and all applicable federal, state, and Gallaudet University policies, including oversight of IEP development, implementation, and monitoring.

The Director leads the KDES Instructional Leadership Team, supports data-informed decision making, and oversees systems related to student achievement, instructional improvement, and school climate, including behavior support frameworks. The role includes direct supervision and evaluation of teachers and instructional staff, professional development planning, instructional coaching, and implementation of effective instructional practices.

The Director plays a key role in strengthening family engagement, supporting positive communication with families, and contributing to enrollment growth efforts by ensuring KDES remains a high-quality and appealing educational option for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students. The position also collaborates closely with student life staff, Clerc Center leadership, and university partners to ensure alignment across programs.

Required Qualifications:
• Master’s degree.
• A minimum of five years of professional experience with education administration, curriculum coordination, or a related field.
• Ability to communicate in American Sign Language

Preferred Qualifications:
• Supervisory experience.
• School administrator license.
• Experience working in a K-12 setting.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities:
• Strong writing communication skills.
• Strong ability to provide services to students and families in a variety of contexts (e.g., on-site job training and support, community-based teaching, home-to-school travel training).
• Strong skills with program development, active team participation, and problem-solving.
• Strong knowledge of classroom instructional methods, educational programming, and effective school administration practices and techniques.
• Strong ability to work and communicate with diverse groups of people for the optimum benefit of the educational program.
• Demonstrated ability to work with and across University departments, outside constituents and groups.