Director, Program in Teacher Preparation

Overview

The Director of the Program in Teacher Preparation will be a visionary leader and strategic thinker who brings excitement and commitment to developing and expanding Princeton's Program in Teacher Preparation. In addition to overseeing the program's post-baccalaureate licensure program, the director will work with a faculty co-director to support the successful launch of a new minor in education studies.

Additional projects served through this program include professional development initiatives for teachers in public and independent schools of the greater Princeton area, including Teachers as Scholars, QUEST, Science Outreach, the High School Program at Princeton University, and the Princeton University Distinguished Secondary School Teaching Award given each year at Commencement.

Reporting to the Deputy Dean of the College, the director will join a team of senior leaders working to develop and collaborate around transformative opportunities in engaged undergraduate learning.

Responsibilities

Program and Personnel Management

The director will support the mission and staff of the Program in Teacher Preparation in the following ways:

• Work with program staff to develop and implement short- and long-term goals that support program growth and development, including initiatives such as the minor in education studies and K-12 outreach programs.
• Establish partnerships and collaborations both on and off campus, maintaining an open and productive culture of communication both within the program and across external and internal partners.
• Oversee the design, development, and evaluation of courses, professional development, and outreach initiatives offered in the program.
• Manage internal processes and protocols, delegating support as needed based on the shifting roles and responsibilities of the staff.
• Oversee the program budget, monitoring associated reports and ensuring fiscal responsibility.
• Maintain relationships with program donors and oversee the writing of annual stewardship letters.
• Ensure the systematic collection and use of data to inform program decisions and communicate with stakeholders, keeping records as needed to track key dimensions of program operations.
• Hire, supervise and conduct annual performance appraisal conferences for the program staff and any other supervisors and/or instructors in the program.
• Work collaboratively with staff to support their professional growth and development.
• Assign teaching and supervision responsibilities to accommodate student enrollment patterns and maintain equitable work balance across staff members.
• Hire external consultants as needed for student teaching supervision, site visits for the Princeton Prize for Distinguished Secondary School Teaching, and Content Instruction Specialists for relevant courses.

Teacher Certification and Accreditation

The Director oversees all aspects of the programs through which students are eligible to obtain the New Jersey Department of Education's Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing, including:

• Monitor all work associated with national accreditation through the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), as well as alignment of the Program curricula and evaluation with the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) Professional Standards for Teachers and the New Jersey Administrative Code (NJAC) for teacher licensure.
• Set benchmarks for annual reporting, delegation of accreditation tasks, and map out timelines for continued monitoring of program progress.
• Oversee the collection and analysis of program and student data to maintain national accreditation, enable NJDOE review, and complete annual reports for Federal Title 2, the NJDOE, and AAQEP.
• Monitor student completion of all NJDOE requirements for licensure and sign off on licensure applications to the state.
• Establish clear communication with districts, cooperating teachers, and student teachers about expectations of clinical practice work.
• Establish and maintain productive relationships with area schools, secure Memos of Understanding from schools and districts, and oversee and foster program alumni relations.

Teaching and Advising

• Teach a program seminar each semester and oversee the curricular spirals collaboratively in discussion with staff.
• Establish opportunities to introduce the program to prospective students, advising students on program requirements across the disciplines and available financial support.
• Support professional staff members with addressing a range of student needs, serve as dean for returning alumni, and collaboratively develop student support plans when necessary. The director may also step in to supervise student teachers and advise students as needed.
• Oversee and assist in the placement of students in local schools for clinical work and student teaching, conduct initial intake interviews with prospective students, familiarize prospective student candidates with the Program in Teacher Preparation, and oversee the application process.
• Oversee the program entries for the Course Administration System and the Undergraduate Announcement.

Qualifications

Essential Skills and Qualifications

• A doctoral degree, preferably in the field of education.
• Demonstrated leadership in both K-12 and higher education settings, along with experience in teacher education and the supervision, development and evaluation of teachers.
• Administrative experience in managing personnel and budgets.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building skills, and strong project management.
• Strong understanding of assessment, program evaluation, and data informed decision making.
• Familiarity with state and federal regulations for teacher preparation, along with national accreditation frameworks.
• Demonstrated interest and experience in developing and cultivating partnerships and fostering collaboration.
• Knowledge of current issues impacting teacher education at both the state and national levels, and/or experience with research, teaching, and/or professional development related to teacher education and education studies.
• A record of scholarship related to teaching and instruction, and/or a demonstrated history of service or successful leadership in the field of education at the local, state, or national levels.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Familiarity with technologies and software platforms for the support of student learning and the collection and analysis of program data.
• Evidence of commitment to building and sustaining long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships.

Salary Range: $130,000 to $157,000

Standard Weekly Hours: 36.25

Benefits Eligible: Yes