Assistant Director of Advanced Learning and Choice Programs 2026-2027

CATEGORY: Administrative

TITLE: Assistant Director of Advanced Learning and Choice Programs

About You:

You have a sense of urgency are conscientious and are precise with strong attention to detail and its important to you to get things exactly right.

You are a careful thoughtful decision-maker and you enjoy having clear expectations.

You enjoy being a key part of a strong positive and closely-knit team that you can lean on for support collaboration and share in each others success. You also have a great sense of fun.

You have the ability to learn quickly and thoroughly while continually recognizing and adapting to changing conditions.

You see the big picture and think and act strategically.

About Us:

Established in 1874 we have grown to 21 schools serving over 10000 students with over 50 languages spoken by our students.

Our organization is centered around our values and beliefs that our students are confident self-advocates with interpersonal and critical thinking skills who productively and innovatively make a positive impact in their current and future communities.

We are proud of the family-like culture that permeates our system. Our system boasts award winning faculty and principals high achieving students signature programs and unparalleled parental and community support.

We take our mission and vision seriously and we are committed to inspiring excellence in every child and every adult so that our students are prepared to embrace the opportunities of tomorrow. At TD3 you have an opportunity to change the world and life trajectory of over 10000 students.

Who Were Looking For:

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Bachelors degree required.
2. Valid Arizona Teaching Certificate; Gifted Endorsement preferred.
3. State of Arizona administrative certification preferred but not required.
4. Experience coordinating or delivering services for gifted/advanced learners.
5. Minimum 5 years of teaching and/or instructional coaching experience in gifted and/or inquiry based-related fields advanced or arts-based instructional leadership
6. Demonstrated ability to lead professional learning and instructional design.
7. Demonstrated ability to design and lead identification and service systems that are inclusive data-informed and culturally responsive

Preferred Attributes:

• Knowledge of interdisciplinary curriculum models and experiential learning.
• Experience with immersive technologies eSports or performance-based assessments.
• Experience using data systems to monitor program access and student outcomes.
• Ability to lead cross-departmental collaboration and manage complex interdisciplinary initiatives.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

(Essential functions as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act may include any of the following tasks knowledge skills and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all duties and responsibilities performed by the incumbents of this class.)

About the Role:

Why the role exists:

The Assistant Director of Advanced Learning and Choice Programs leads the strategic development and implementation of high-impact academic experiences that empower students through enriched inclusive and choice-based learning pathways. This role provides instructional and programmatic leadership across gifted education fine arts dual language International Baccalaureate (IB) and Montessori programs. By aligning these offerings with the districts innovation priorities including immersive and performance-based learning models the director ensures that every student can access advanced learning pathways that are interdisciplinary rigorous future-focused grounded in real-world contexts relevant and engaging for all learners.

Responsibilities & Deliverables:

Program Leadership & Innovation

• Design monitor and evaluate gifted education and advanced learning services in alignment with district strategic goals Arizona Department of Education (ADE) compliance and national best practices.
• Support the implementation of project-based and interdisciplinary learning opportunities for advanced learners including those tied to immersive learning and real-world performance tasks.
• Coordinate services for students in gifted accelerated and honors pathways across all schools.
• Curate and promote enrichment opportunities including competitions exhibitions summer programs and immersive learning experiences. Lead districtwide gifted and advanced learning programming ensuring alignment with state/federal requirements and strategic redesign principles.
• Oversee K8 Fine Arts programming (visual arts general music instrumental music and performing arts) ensuring alignment with Arizona standards and district goals.
• Support and grow Dual Language IB and Montessori programs ensuring pedagogical alignment equity of access and instructional rigor.
• Collaborate with content leaders and site administrators to expand immersive interdisciplinary and project-based learning opportunities within advanced and choice programs.
• Recommend materials resources and technologies that support inclusive innovative instruction across all assigned domains.

Instructional Support & Professional Learning

• Collaborate with site administrators and teachers to support differentiation strategies and flexible grouping for high-achieving students.
• Provide professional development on gifted pedagogy arts integration inquiry-based instructional strategies and social-emotional needs of advanced learners.
• Support instructional experience designers in designing environments that extend learning through inquiry and choice.
• Support site leaders and fine arts educators in the implementation of high-quality student-centered instruction that reflects best practices.
• Model instructional strategies and coach educators in lesson design performance-based assessment and culturally responsive teaching.
• Collaborate with the other district staff and site leaders to ensure academic alignment depth and complexity across enrichment programs.
• Facilitate collaborative networks and communities of practice for Dual Language Montessori IB and Fine Arts educators.

Identification

• Lead identification processes for gifted and talented programs that reflect the diversity of the district.
• Analyze disaggregated data to monitor participation and success rates of underrepresented populations (e.g. multilingual learners low-income students students of color) in advanced programs.
• Collaborate with school psychologists and assessment teams to ensure accurate inclusive identification tools.
• Lead initiatives to expand the identification and support of diverse gifted learners including multilingual twice-exceptional and historically underserved students by implementing student-centered strategies that reflect the varied backgrounds strengths and experiences of all learners. Expand access to gifted and enrichment services by designing flexible identification and placement pathways aligned to student needs and community context.
• Monitor participation data across programs and use disaggregated metrics to inform inclusive design and service delivery.
• Collaborate with school teams to ensure that students have access to advanced coursework fine arts programming and performance-based learning.

Family & Community Engagement

• Serve as the primary district contact for gifted programs fielding family questions concerns and recommendations.
• Host regular information sessions for families on gifted identification services and academic planning.
• Partner with community organizations and higher education institutions to expand opportunities for gifted learners.
• Lead family and community engagement initiatives to increase awareness and access to advanced learning arts and choice programs.
• Partner with cultural institutions local artists and universities to enhance student learning and community involvement.
• Organize exhibitions performances and showcases that celebrate student achievement talent and interdisciplinary learning.
• Support family understanding of gifted education Montessori and IB philosophy dual language benefits and the developmental role of the arts.

Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure compliance with Arizonas Gifted Education Statutes and district reporting requirements.
• Maintain records for program evaluation gifted screening and service delivery.
• Coordinate audits ADE reports and monitoring processes as needed.
• Maintain records and reports related to gifted identification advanced programs fine arts curriculum and federal/state compliance.
• Coordinate instructional resource adoption and curriculum alignment within assigned content and program areas.
• Develop and monitor program budgets grants and documentation aligned to district expectations and state guidance.
• Participate in state and national networks to remain current on policy innovation and programmatic best practices.

DEPARTMENT: Student Success Enterprise

SALARY:Commensurate with experience (aligned to district administrative salary schedule)

WORK YEAR: 12 months

REPORTS TO: Superintendent/CEO and/or designee

EVALUATION: Administrative Evaluation

Please note that the closing date for this posting may be changed at any time without prior notice

Required Experience:

Director