26-27 Director for Equity and Excellence (Application Deadline April 10, 2026)

Application Deadline: April 10 2026

Position Summary:

The Director of Equity and Excellence is an executive-level position that provides districtwide leadership to build the capacity of schools and departments to develop and consistently implement equitable practices across the district. This role advances equitable access opportunity and outcomes for all students with a particular focus on those who have been historically underserved. Using data to drive decision-making the Director partners with school leaders instructional teams and central office departments to identify and address disparities in academic achievement discipline and program access while strengthening Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) to meet students academic behavioral and social-emotional needs. This role is critical to ensuring that the district delivers on its commitment to equity by transforming systems practices and outcomes so that every student has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

The responsibilities listed below reflect the primary duties of the position; the omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the role. Additional responsibilities that are similar related or a logical assignment to the position may be assigned as needed to meet program legal or operational needs.

• Support schools instructional leadership teams and principals in implementing instructional practices and school-based systems that close academic opportunity gaps including culturally responsive teaching inclusive classroom practices and equitable access to rigorous curriculum;
• Support schools instructional leadership teams and principals in monitoring and addressing patterns of disproportionality in office referrals suspensions course access and program placement;
• Work with school and district leaders to strengthen Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) that address academic behavioral and social-emotional needs with an equity lens;
• Collaborate with principals and central office leaders to ensure that equity priorities are embedded in School Improvement Plans and district strategic initiatives;
• Lead cross-departmental analysis of district data (academic outcomes course access discipline and program placement) using district data systems and equity dashboards to identify inequities and guide strategies to improve outcomes for historically underserved students;
• Establish metrics to evaluate equity initiatives and collaborate with the Departments of Academics Student Services Special Education Multilingual Learner Education to make growth toward identified goals;
• Partner with district departments to address inequities in discipline course access alternative education and enrichment opportunities to ensure students have equitable access to rigorous learning support systems and pathways for academic success;
• Collaborate with the Somerville Family Learning Collaborative to support and align equitable family engagement efforts;
• Collaborate with the Out-of-School Time Department to build and integrate supports embedded in afterschool programming to close academic opportunity gaps;
• Consult with the Superintendent of Schools and other relevant departments regarding student and staff incidents involving bias and discrimination including reviewing reports coordinating appropriate responses supporting communication with affected parties and helping ensure follow-up actions align with district policies and equity commitments;
• Lead a team of school-based Equity Specialists to help support equity goals and initiatives in each school;
• Facilitate professional learning for all SPS staff that connects equity practices directly to instructional improvement student engagement and academic outcomes;
• Support the professional learning and induction of all new SPS educators;
• Develop and manage strategic partnerships with community-based and national organizations that support equitable opportunities and outcomes for SPS students including but not limited to The Calculus Project Becoming a Man (BAM) Working on Womanhood (WOW) and En Root;
• Develop structures for student leadership and voice in equity initiatives;
• Oversee and manage the Equity Department budget;
• Perform other duties consistent with the scope and responsibility of the position as assigned.

Knowledge Abilities & Skills:

• Deep understanding in the advancement of cultural proficiency equity diversity and inclusion in schools and school districts;
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate collaborate and problem-solve with a wide variety of constituents including students teachers families administrators and community partners;
• Experience leading community engagement and community organizing efforts;
• Ability to use data to diagnose needs monitor progress and drive continuous improvement
• Strong project-management and organizational skills including the ability to coordinate multiple priorities timelines and stakeholders
• Demonstrated skill in implementing complex initiatives managing multi-step program rollouts and ensuring fidelity to district goals and expectations

Physical Requirements:The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the positions essential functions.

• Physical Strength Requirements: May involve lifting or carrying items up to 10 lbs
• Posture & Movement Requirements: Frequent walking or standing
• Sensory Requirements: Ability to perceive written information (near vision); Ability to perceive distant objects or hazards (far vision); Ability to hear and understand verbal instructions; Ability to speak clearly

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Master Degree in education leadership or related field preferred;
• Massachusetts DESE supervisor licensure required;
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a leadership role required

Reporting Relationships: TheSuperintendent of Somerville Public Schools

Position Details:

Location: Central Office/District-Wide

Department: Equity and Excellence

Union Affiliation: Non-Union

Terms of Employment:

Work Year: Full-Year (260 Days)

Work Hours: 8 hours/day

FLSA Status: Exempt

Benefits Status: Eligible

Pre-Employment Requirements

MA Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Clearance

Fingerprints

The Somerville Public Schools does not discriminate in its programs facilities or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race color age religion disability pregnancy home status marital/civil union status sex/gender gender identity sexual orientation citizenship status place of birth national origin ancestry cultural identity genetics or military status and does not tolerate any form of retaliation or bias-based intimidation threat or harassment that demeans individuals dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.

Required Experience:

Director