Director, ELA Curriculum, 6-8

A pioneer in K–12 education since 2000, Amplify is leading the way in next-generation curriculum and assessment. Our core and supplemental programs in ELA, math, and science engage all students in rigorous learning and inspire them to think deeply, creatively, and for themselves. Our formative assessment products help teachers identify the targeted instruction students need to build a strong foundation in early reading and math. All of our programs provide educators with powerful tools that help them understand and respond to the needs of every student. Today, Amplify serves more than 10 million students in all 50 states. For more information, visit amplify.com.

Amplify ELA is a blended English language arts curriculum designed specifically to address the unique vibrant middle school classroom. Our program is a rigorous core curriculum that empowers teachers and engages middle school students.

The Director of ELA Curriculum will work closely with the ELA Product team and VP of ELA Education to co-create and execute on the product vision for middle grade ELA offerings. The Director leads content design and development and oversees critical ongoing work of the content team to develop curriculum that meets that vision and supports Amplify’s commitment to high quality content loved by our customers.

Key Responsibilities Of The Director, ELA Curriculum, 6-8

Help set the 6-8 ELA Product(s) Vision: Work closely with product leadership to define the pedagogy, principles, instructional strategies and skills sequence that reflect Amplify’s vision for lively and engaged classrooms, high academic impact, strong inclusion and support for all students, and widespread market appeal. In particular, the Director focuses on defining and developing the scope and sequence of content and skills across the core program, including integrated assessment, to ensure aligned curriculum offerings.

Define and Develop high-quality content: Lead the design and development of content across the core 6-8 ELA program, so that instructional content, classroom practice and integrated assessment target an aligned set of skills, support the pedagogical vision, and meet the needs of customers and state adoptions. Be a critical and active stakeholder in other areas of product development (e.g.,,design, digital features and tools)] to ensure effective alignment to all components of the content and pedagogy.

• Lead the development of the 6–8 ELA curriculum architecture. Lead the translation of the instructional vision of 6–8 ELA into curriculum proof of concept and prototypes that determine the concrete content components. Ensure curriculum incorporates key leadership feedback and work closely with the iterative process of user research and testing and strategic improvements to develop a highly effective commercial product that will drive strong academic performance for all students.
• Oversee content development, from scope & sequence development to content proposals to unit and lesson outlines to QA, including the digital and print programs in their various editions. Develop instructional models for content, collaborate to determine instructional focus and design, support writers in the development of high-quality content and aligned assessment, and review content for engagement, quality, consistency, and accuracy. Work collaboratively with 6–8 ELA leadership to ensure that the content development process effectively supports content developers to create content that aligns to the program’s parameters.
• Build and develop content and editorial teams: Help to scope hiring needs based on product deliverables. Oversee recruitment, hiring, and management of internal and external content staff. Develop a coherent, consistent onboarding experience. Oversee ongoing professional development aligned to team and product needs. Develop team members, coaching as needed to prepare them for new opportunities and continued growth.
• Support Product Efficacy: Collaborate to ensure instructional model, content components, and classroom tools and features reflect real classroom observation and testing. Ensure content development includes prototypes that can be tested in real classrooms and refined based on results. Collaborate with cross functional leads to evaluate the impact of district implementations, review customer feedback and use results to plan improvements that support efficacy and customer satisfaction.
  
  

Oversee Ongoing Work Of The Content Team

• Contribute to major state adoption submissions: Develop a working understanding of the standards and specific criteria for critical state adoptions. As needed, direct the design and development of specific content required for adoptions.
• Support in market products as needed. Help define ongoing updates and additions to ensure the curriculum maintains its high quality.
  
  

Basic Qualifications Of The Director, ELA Curriculum, 6-8

• Bachelor’s Degree in an Humanities field (English, Comparative Literature, African-American Studies, History, etc.) or equivalent career experience
• Advanced degree in Education, English, Instructional design or related field
• 5+ years of teaching and/or district level experience.
• 4+ years of work experience in education or education publishing in a leadership capacity that involved overseeing and evaluating content development and/or training and evaluating instructors at the secondary level.
• Background in instructional/ curriculum design.
• Experience working in or with educational technology.
• 4+ years of increasing managerial experience
• Experience with both print and digital instructional design and delivery
• Excellent leadership and collaboration skills; excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Broad understanding of the 6–12 educational landscape, including secondary literacy, state standards and assessment
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
  
  

Preferred Qualifications Of The Director, ELA Curriculum, 6-8

• 2+ years in a leadership role related to instructional/curriculum design
• Leadership experience in the delivery of an educational technology product.
• Experience coaching or training teachers
• Familiarity with Amplify products, both content and digital platform and navigation
• Some travel and in-person (Brooklyn-based) required (about 10-15%)
  
  

What We Offer

Salary is only one component of the Amplify Total Rewards package, which includes a lucrative 401(k) plan, competitive health insurance and mental health options, basic life insurance, paid time off, parental leave, and access to best-in-class development programs. The gross annualized salary range for this role is $116,000 - $125,000. This role is eligible to receive an annual discretionary bonus that rewards individual and company performance.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. To that end, we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.

Amplify is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities.

This position may be funded, in whole or in part, through American Recovery & Reinvestment Act funds.

Amplify Education, Inc. is an E-Verify participant.

If selected, a background check will be required. As required by state and local laws and district policies, you may also be required to provide additional documentation, such as proof of vaccination or submit to enhanced background screening, including fingerprints.