Director of Learning Design and Practice (PK-12)

The Lansing School District serves over 10,000 PreK-12 students across 25 school buildings in the increasingly diverse urban community of Lansing, MI. We are unique compared to other districts because of the wide variety of exciting and innovative educational options from which families and staff members can choose. All of Lansing School District’s team members are dedicated to our mission to provide an excellent education to all students in a safe and nurturing environment.

In Pursuit of this mission, we are looking to hire an Director of Learning Design and Practice (PK-12). Provides strategic leadership for the design, implementation, alignment, and continuous improvement of the district’s curriculum, instructional practices, professional learning systems, and student support structures. Ensures all students have access to high-quality, standards-aligned instruction through a coherent system that integrates curriculum, assessment, instructional excellence, intervention, enrichment, and educator development.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, Instructional Systems Design, Learning Design, Educational Administration, or a closely related field.
• Valid Michigan Administrator Certificate or eligibility to obtain appropriate administrative certification as required by state regulations.
• Minimum of five (5) years of successful educational leadership experience at the school or district level.
• Demonstrated experience leading curriculum development, instructional improvement, and professional learning initiatives.
• Knowledge of curriculum design, standards-based instruction, assessment practices, and continuous improvement processes.
• Experience facilitating professional learning communities (PLCs), instructional coaching, and educator development programs.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and utilize student achievement and instructional data to support decision-making and school improvement.
• Strong project management, organizational, and communication skills.
• Experience leading collaborative teams and building positive relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Knowledge of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), intervention frameworks, and strategies for improving student outcomes.
• Evidence of successful leadership in diverse educational settings and commitment to outcomes for all students.
• Proficiency with educational technology platforms, curriculum management systems, and data systems.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Deep understanding of curriculum design, instructional best practices, assessment literacy, and adult learning principles.
• Ability to develop coherent systems that align curriculum, instruction, assessment, professional learning, and student support structures.
• Strong facilitation, presentation, coaching, and consensus-building skills.
• Ability to lead complex initiatives across multiple departments and stakeholder groups.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Ability to communicate effectively with educators, administrators, families, community members, and governing boards.
• Commitment to fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and excellence.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous refinement of a guaranteed and viable K–12 curriculum.
• Ensure vertical and horizontal alignment of curriculum, instruction, assessment, and learning outcomes across K–12 and core content areas.
• Develop, implement, and monitor a districtwide instructional framework that promotes high-quality Tier I instruction and student achievement.
• Oversee curriculum adoption, instructional resource selection, and implementation processes.
• Establish systems for identifying, prioritizing, and monitoring essential standards, learning targets, pacing, and instructional expectations.
• Design and implement comprehensive professional learning systems aligned to district priorities and instructional goals.
• Support instructional coaching, leadership development, and collaborative learning structures.
• Support instructional decision-making through the effective use of assessment and student performance data.
• Lead classroom walkthrough processes and instructional rounds.
• Maintain and enhance curriculum, instruction, and professional learning platforms and resources.
• Partner with school and district leaders to ensure consistency, fidelity, and effectiveness of instructional programs and initiatives.
• Monitor emerging educational research, best practices, and state requirements to inform district initiatives and continuous improvement efforts.
• Support grants and budget processes related to curriculum, instruction, professional learning, and district initiatives.

Key Projects Overseen

• Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum System
• District Instructional Framework
• Curriculum Adoption and Resource Management
• Professional Learning System
• Instructional Coaching and Leadership Development Model
• Curriculum and Instruction Digital Platforms
• Essential Standards and Learning Target Development
• Assessment and Instructional Alignment Processes
• Tier I Instruction Improvement Initiatives
• Grants and Budget Oversight
• Intervention and Enrichment Systems
• Instructional Walkthrough and Continuous Improvement Processes
• Curriculum Revision and Review Cycles
• Instructional Rounds
• Districtwide Teaching and Learning Strategic Initiatives

Work Environment & 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 position.

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Must be able to move throughout the building and campus, including classrooms, hallways, and outdoor spaces.

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Frequent verbal communication is required to instruct students, lead meetings, and collaborate with staff and families.

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May be required to stand or walk for extended periods, including during supervisory duties.

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Occasional bending, reaching, or sitting on the floor to interact with students.

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Regular use of computers and instructional technology for planning, instruction, and communication.

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Must be able to lift or carry instructional materials and supplies weighing up to 25 pounds.

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Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

At Lansing School District, we champion diversity, equity, and inclusion, providing equal opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or sexual orientation. We foster a rich environment for professional growth and student experiences by valuing diverse perspectives. As an equal opportunity employer, we invite passionate individuals dedicated to educational excellence to apply for our positions.

We value internal mobility and list "Strong Internal Candidate" when considering an internal candidate before posting a job. We still encourage all candidates to apply.

Complete the attached online application at your earliest convenience. If selected, we will contact you to set up an interview. While we strive to provide prompt feedback, the high volume of applicants may limit our ability to do so. All of our jobs will be posted for at least 10 days (unless otherwise noted), but we will review applications on a rolling basis.

External candidates interested in multiple positions within the same department need only apply to one posting and can indicate other roles of interest in the final question. We will consider your application for various roles based on your qualifications.

Internal candidates should apply using their SSO email address and submit separate applications for each role of interest. Thank you for your interest in joining our mission-driven team. We look forward to meeting you!

This job description is intended to outline the general responsibilities and qualifications for the position. It is not an exhaustive list of duties, and the Lansing School District reserves the right to modify job responsibilities as needed. Due to the evolving needs of the District, additional job responsibilities may be assigned (depending on funding sources).