Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Director
Middletown Public Schools - middletown, CT
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Empower Every Voice. Transform Our Community. Lead with Passion. Are you dedicated to creating an equitable and inclusive learning environment for all students? Join us as our Director of Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity and play a vital role in shaping a brighter future for our diverse school community. Your Mission: Develop and implement innovative strategies that promote equity and inclusivity across our schools. Partner with educators, students, and families to ensure every voice is heard and valued. Foster a culture of belonging where all students can thrive, regardless of their background. What We Offer: A vibrant, supportive community committed to student success and well-being. The chance to influence policies and practices that empower all learners and staff. Opportunities for professional growth in a diverse and collaborative environment. Your Impact: Your leadership will help create an inclusive atmosphere where every student feels seen, heard, and inspired to achieve their fullest potential. Join Us! If you're ready to champion diversity and make a lasting difference in our school community, we want to hear from you! Together, let's nurture a future where every student has the opportunity to shine. Apply Today! Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Director Location: District Reports to: Superintendent of Schools Mission Statement: Middletown Public Schools cultivates the brilliance in each student. Values and Belief Statements: Empowerment: Middletown Public Schools empowers its students with the knowledge and skills to create lives brimming with purpose, passion and fulfillment. Community: Middletown Public Schools harnesses the power of community by fostering an environment of mutual understanding and appreciation. Growth: Middletown Public Schools encourages a culture of growth and exploration, inspiring lifelong learners. Authenticity: Middletown Public Schools embraces each person's authenticity and cultivates an inclusive culture that brings about a sense of belonging. Broad Function: The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Director is responsible for the development of, and implementation of a wide range of DEI initiatives in support of Middletown Public Schools programming and teaching, as well as leading school-based DEI programs. In addition, this position is responsible for serving as the Title IX Coordinator for the District, related to student claims and sustaining internal capacity to provide job-embedded support to site-based leadership teams, faculty, staff, community, and district level teams across the district. The objective of this position is to assist the School District in building the knowledge, skill, will, and capacity of the MIddletown Public School District system to create and sustain equitable learning experiences for all students. Essential Functions: Works directly with MPS school teams to build their capacity in addressing the needs of the school community in the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Encourages and supports teachers to be self-reflective of their instructional practices and the impact on student learning. Collaborates with educators, administrators, and other central office departments and leaders to facilitate professional learning opportunities that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion by engaging with colleagues in the Learning Services Team departments. Carries out Title IX investigations in accordance with Federal and State laws and regulations. Analyzes current practices to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout Middletown Public School District. Facilitates opportunities to examine bias and privilege and how it influences our interactions, planning, and instruction. Works with the Human Resources department and other District departments on the development and implementation of the Title VI, VII, and IX programs to ensure and enforce standards for compliance in programs, services, and benefits. Routinely attends and is visible at school and city-wide events. Designs, coordinates and implements district-wide annual training, education, and learning programs for staff in the areas of DEI and general professional development topics such as leadership, communication, emotional intelligence, etc. Works with the senior leadership team to establish DEI as a shared value and to raise awareness, competence and action across the organization. Fosters an environment of continuous learning and improvement. Receives, investigates, and resolves Title IX violations and related reports. Conducts ongoing review and analysis to identify potential risks and eliminate the risk of bias. Coordinates and collaborates with the school building leaders and department heads on key initiatives. Supports teachers with co-planning, co-teaching, observing, and providing feedback on the successful implementation of Culturally Responsive Pedagogies. Continuously gathers and uses feedback from students, parents, teachers, classified staff, and administrators in the MPS community to inform the work of DEI efforts. Represents MPS in external groups around DEI efforts and supports connections that share and promote diverse perspectives in MPS schools. Monitors student data as it relates to disproportionality in outcomes and leads efforts to address these gaps. Works closely with the Assistant Superintendents to identify equity gaps and address them accordingly. Monitors and manages district-wide programs and implementations directed to support DEI efforts across site progress-monitoring assessment instruments. Performs other duties as directed. Qualifications, Experience and Job Requirements: Connecticut State Administrator's certification (092) Master's degree in education, social work, or a related field required Foundational knowledge about race, culture, and socio-economic status in education; racial and gender justice issues; and inclusion concepts Knowledge of race, culture, socio-economic status in education, and inclusion concepts. Proven success in integrating and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within complex organizations. Experience in adult learning, staff development, and teacher coaching. Experience working with diverse populations; bilingual/biliterate preferred. Proficient in maintaining confidentiality, effective oral and written communication. Skilled in Google and Microsoft programs and English grammar proficiency. Strong customer service and knowledge of district policies. Enthusiastic with strong interpersonal skills, able to relate well with students, staff, parents, and the community. Ability to conduct Title IX investigations and knowledge of Title IX laws. Willingness to travel between schools and manage multiple priorities. Knowledge of differentiation, culturally responsive instruction, and diverse student needs. Self-directed, reflective, committed to academic integrity, and effective in program development related to DEI. Skilled in presentation, facilitation, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and maintain honesty, integrity, and safety in the workplace. Adherence to attendance requirements and Board of Education policies. Ability and willingness to adhere to attendance requirements, including regular and punctual employee presence. Ability to promote and follow Board of Education policies, Superintendent policies, and building and department procedures. Ability to communicate, interact, and work effectively and cooperatively with people from diverse ethnic and educational backgrounds. Ability to recognize the importance of safety in the workplace, follow safety rules, practice safe work habits required. Salary & Compensation: Per MSAA contract. Physical and Mental Demands / Work Environment: The physical demands and environmental characteristics 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 essential functions. Must be mobile with the ability to get from one location in the office or work site(s) to other locations in the office or work site(s) Ability to sit or stand for long periods of time required. Ability to lift or carry objects less than thirty (30) pounds required. Ability to perform manipulative skills such as writing and typing required. Ability to see and read objects closely, such as wiring, labels on equipment, reading/proofreading a report, using a computer monitor, filing and/or retrieving information from a filing system and verifying the accuracy of financial information required. Ability to hear normal sounds with background noise, as in using a telephone or radio, distinguish verbal communication and communicate through speech, including using a radio required. Ability to learn and acquire an understanding of new information, methodologies and techniques and how they apply to school goals and operations required. Memory adequate to perform tasks/assignments given over long periods of time required. Ability to concentrate on a task for more than 60 minutes required. Disclaimers: The supplemental job description lists typical examples of work and is not intended to include every job duty and responsibility specific to a position. An employee may be required to perform other related duties not listed on the supplemental job description provided that such duties are characteristic of that classification. This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Connecticut requires that any person (teachers, administrators, special service staff members, teachers' aides, custodians, cafeteria employees, etc.) who is hired by a local or regional board of education submit to a state and national criminal history record check within the first 30 days of the date of employment. The process includes the checking of fingerprints by the State Police Bureau of Identification and the F.B.I. The results of the criminal history record checks (both state and federal) are reported to the employing school district. If the district receives notice of a conviction of a crime by a person holding a certificate, authorization or permit issued by the State Board of Education, the district shall notify the Bureau of Certification and Professional Development. STATEMENT OF NON-DISCRIMINATION The Middletown Board of Education is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, and it does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, marital status, military or veteran status, national origin, ancestry, alienage, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability or pregnancy in any of its education programs, activities, or employment policies. All educational programs and offerings, including vocational education and extracurricular activities, subscribe to this policy.
Created: 2024-10-02