Job Openings Director of Academics, Heartwood Community School

About the job Director of Academics, Heartwood Community School

DIRECTOR OF ACADEMICS

THE OPPORTUNITY

Heartwood Community School is a community-focused, tuition-free charter school serving Jasper, Beaufort, and Hampton Counties in South Carolina. They believe in educating the whole child nurturing each student academically, socially, emotionally, and physically. Honoring every child's unique journey, Heartwood bridges home and school to foster a compassionate, empowering environment where students feel seen and valued.

Heartwood's mission goes beyond academics; they guide students to become resilient problem-solvers, compassionate community builders, globally minded citizens, emotionally intelligent leaders, and lifelong learners. Embracing mistakes as part of growth, the school equips students to thrive in school and life, ready to make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.

THE ROLE

Heartwood believes great teaching changes lives. The Director of Academics plays a critical role in building that excellence, serving as a lead coach and thought partner to our teaching team. They invest deeply in instructional quality, teacher development, and student learning outcomesdesigning systems that support both daily execution and long-term growth.

The Director of Academics is a visionary, systems-minded academic leader responsible for driving excellence across all instructional programs, K8. With deep content expertise and an unwavering belief in the potential of every child, the Director of Academics ensures that our academic model, grounded in high-quality, evidence-based curricula, is implemented with integrity, precision, and purpose.

Part coach, part strategist, part operator, the Director of Academics is a mission-aligned leader who builds strong teams, sets a high bar, and rolls up their sleeves to get the work done. They bring clarity, coherence, and compassion to all they do, embodying Heartwoods commitment to academic excellence, equity, and the belief that every student deserves the opportunity to thrive.

SKILLS AND CHARACTERISTICS

Heartwood is unapologetically committed to recruiting the best people in their field. They seek only those team members who set the highest standards for themselves and are passionate about making a lasting impact on the lives of children.

  • Emotionally intelligent leader who brings humility, maturity, and the ability to navigate hard conversations with clarity and compassion.
  • Relentless commitment to continuous improvement, open to feedback, and driven to learn, grow, and refine their practice.
  • Deep belief in the mission of Heartwood and our whole-child model, with a commitment to equity, inclusion, and lasting impact.
  • Deep instructional expertise in literacy and math, with a demonstrated ability to drive student achievement and teacher growth across content areas.
  • Proven ability to build strong teams, manage complex projects, and lead through both structure and relationships.
  • Strategic thinker with a bias toward actionable to set vision, build aligned systems, and execute with excellence.
  • Strong coaching and facilitation skills; able to build trust, deliver clear and actionable feedback, and model best practices.
  • High degree of personal organization, operational discipline, and attention to detail.
  • Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to influence and inspire others.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Lead with vision and heart-owning the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of Heartwoods instructional program to ensure all students thrive academically and grow as whole people.
  • Build strong, trusting relationships across the school partnering with educators, families, and staff to cultivate a culture of curiosity, high expectations, and joyful learning.
  • Coach teacher leaders and instructional coaches through regular classroom observations, actionable feedback, and targeted professional development rooted in our academic priorities and values.
  • Ensure our high-quality instructional materials and approaches are brought to life in ways that meet students where they are, supporting teachers to thoughtfully tailor and supplement lessons to address the diverse needs of their learners.
  • Collaborate with school leadership to identify instructional priorities, analyze student data, and problem-solve in real time to support strong outcomes for all students.
  • Lead academic planning for middle school expansion, ensuring a thoughtful, mission-aligned launch that builds on the strength of our elementary model and meets the developmental needs of older students.
  • Guide the development of systems and supports that prepare the school for future growth, including the transition into middle grades.
  • Serve as a thought partner to the principal and a model of professional excellenceanchored in humility, accountability, and care.
  • Provide hands-on support to classrooms and teachers as needed, stepping in to lead small groups, model lessons, or co-teach as part of ongoing coaching cycles.
  • Champion equity and inclusion through curriculum choices, instructional practices, and leadership decisions that reflect the diversity and strength of our community.
  • Stay grounded in what matters most ensuring every student is seen, challenged, and supported to reach their fullest potential.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND + EXPERIENCE

  • Masters degree preferred in curriculum and instruction, or a related field.
  • Valid South Carolina teaching certification preferred; certification in curriculum and instruction strongly preferred.
  • Minimum of six years of successful classroom teaching experience, with a proven track record of driving student growthpreferably in under-resourced or high-needs communities.
  • At least four years of instructional leadership experience, including coaching, managing, and developing teachers. Middle school experience preferred.
  • Demonstrated experience leading school-wide implementation of high-quality instructional materials and adjusting them to meet the needs of diverse learners.
  • Experience designing and delivering professional development aligned to research-based instructional practices.
  • Deep knowledge of early childhood and elementary literacy and numeracy development, including intervention strategies for below-grade-level learners.

COMPENSATION

The salary for this role is $100,000 with eligibility for a relocation package. To uphold Heartwood's commitment to equitable and fair compensation, they offer a competitive salary and have a no-negotiation policy.

They are committed to building a best-in-class team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of their students. As an equal opportunity employer, Heartwood hires without consideration of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability.

Additionally, they offer a comprehensive benefits package, including and not limited to:

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Life Insurance and Disability
  • Tax Favored Spending Accounts (FSA/HSA)
  • Retirement Plans

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT

Heartwood Community School is an equal opportunity employer.