Academic Director

Aces in Motion (AIM)

Academic Director Job Description

Title: AIM Academic Director

Work Schedule: M: 10:00 - 6:00, flexibility required

Location: Prairieview Elementary + AIM Tennis

Reports To: Executive Director

Supervises: Academic Coordinator, College and Career Coordinator, tutoring staff, and student Coaches in Training during tutoring sessions

Salary Range: $42,000 - $50,000 + health/vision/dental

Employment: Full time

Mission

To promote health, academic achievement, and character development through positive youth development.

Vision

We use tennis and the principles of sport to build a community of children, youth, and adults who work, learn, and play hard together.

Job Summary

The Academic Director is the leadership position responsible for the academic program and academic outcomes of students at Aces in Motion. The Director leads the academic team, sets the academic vision, and is accountable for student progress, program quality, and compliance.

The Director supervises the Academic Coordinator/Lead and the College and Career Coordinator, and works in partnership with the data team, which owns data management, Skyward administration, and tracker maintenance. The Director owns the academic results even though the data team produces the data: the Director reads it, acts on it, and reports it.

The Director leads the execution and ongoing development of the AIM Academic Days, the Student Success Blueprint, and AIM's partnerships with Peak Literacy and iXL. The Director spends time both in schools, meeting with teachers, administrators, counselors, and students, and on site leading academic planning and team collaboration.

Occasional travel may be required for school visits, college campus tours, and other external meetings.

This position must demonstrate AIM Values and Skills: Learning, Integrity, Leadership, Community, Teamwork, Effort, and Resilience.

Responsibilities

Leadership and Supervision

• Commit to and model the AIM Mission and Values for all staff, students, and families
• Supervise the Academic Coordinator/Lead and the College and Career Coordinator, including weekly check ins, coaching, and accountability for their assigned work
• Supervise tutoring staff and student Coaches in Training during tutoring sessions
• Conduct staff evaluations and situational reviews when necessary
• Hire, train, and develop academic staff in partnership with the Executive Director
• Create daily schedules along with an opening and closing checklist for each coach
• Conduct Team Huddles to review the daily schedule and assign roles
• Ensure program sites are clean and orderly at the beginning and end of program hours

Academic Programming and Student Success

• Own the 60 minute academic block across the cohort rooms: students in seats with assigned work, students without homework working in Khan Academy, and students assigned to PEAK tutoring in tutoring
• Ensure Khan Academy cohorts and targeted classrooms are built, maintained, and active, with student work assigned based on assessment results and academic needs
• Ensure tutoring runs every week, including PEAK tutoring and one on one pull out tutoring, with tutoring attendance handed to the data team every Friday so PEAK participation measurements can be completed
• Work directly with students to identify areas of need, ensuring they have adequate academic support
• Provide 1:1 meetings with students to assess academic progress, address challenges, and structure academic time effectively
• Lead success plan meetings, collaborating with the academic team to develop individualized strategies for students' academic and post secondary success
• Develop and implement strategies to keep students engaged during academic time, including interactive components for when students have no homework or assignments such as Peak Literacy and iXL
• Identify striving students and create personalized plans for their academic support, collaborating with teachers and other educational professionals
• Guide coaches in the academic rooms on academic time expectations and daily activities

Data, Reporting, and Compliance

• Own academic reporting to the Executive Director and the Monday leadership meeting, including Khan Academy activity, tutoring participation, and student progress
• Use Skyward, grades, test scores, attendance, and academic progress data provided by the data team to target student support and adjust programming
• Ensure PEAK participation reporting and all academic compliance requirements are met accurately and on time
• Ensure every family is on track for a one on one academic meeting by December

School and Family Partnerships

• Act as a liaison between students, teachers, parents, counselors, and other stakeholders, ensuring that all parties are kept informed about student progress, challenges, and needs
• Communicate with parents regarding students' academic progress and provide updates on their success plans as needed
• Build and maintain relationships with school administrators, teachers, and guidance counselors
• Facilitate relationships between students, volunteers, and staff members
• Implement multicultural educational strategies needed to support youth from the Gainesville community to improve individual academic performance, life skills, and character development

Program Calendar and Events

• Own the academic program calendar, including Academic Days, award celebrations, and the January informational night, planned with the College and Career team and scheduled on the master calendar at least two months in advance so students and families know what they are working toward
• Support college campus tours and other external academic events

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in education or a related field, or equivalent professional experience in education or youth development
• Experience supervising staff and leading a team, preferably in a school or out of school time setting
• Experience working with youth, families, and schools, preferably in Alachua County
• Ability to present a positive image to staff, participants, colleagues, and the community
• Ability to work independently, be flexible, and manage multiple priorities. Must be capable of adaptability with daily schedule as well as be organized and plan efficiently
• High degree of emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills
• Responsible, dependable, punctual, and initiative taking
• A positive attitude and mature personality conducive to working effectively as a team player with diverse members, staff, interns, volunteers, parents and guardians, and other stakeholders
• Must be friendly and professional at all times
• Must have a strong work ethic and high degree of professionalism
• Detail oriented with excellent communication, organizational, interpersonal, and writing skills
• Valid FL Driver's License. Must have reliable transportation and be able to drive a car and have appropriate auto insurance coverage
• CPR/AED and First Aid Certification within 90 days of employment
• Proficient computer skills, especially using Microsoft Suite and Google Suite of applications
• Background screening clearance required before starting, consistent with working with minors

What Success Looks Like in the First 90 Days

• The 60 minute academic block runs cleanly in all cohort rooms, with students in seats and assigned work every day
• Khan Academy classrooms are built, active, and matched to student needs
• Tutoring, including PEAK tutoring, runs every week, with attendance flowing to the data team each Friday
• Academic reporting to leadership is accurate, on time, and tied to student data
• Every family is on track for a one on one academic meeting by December