The posting
About our client:
I Can Do That! Performing Arts Center is a non-profit theatre company based in Danville, CA. ICDT! is passionate about offering stellar acting, singing, and dancing training that builds youth confidence, community, and connection.
Position Overview
The Education Director is a creative, strategic, and hands-on leader responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing ICDT!’s educational programming. This role leads the development of classes, camps, workshops, and new programming from concept through execution, ensuring offerings meet student and community needs and support ICDT!’s mission.
The Education Director works closely with teaching artists, Leadership, students, and families to maintain high-quality programming, support teacher and classroom volunteers, evaluate curriculum and instruction, and address student and parent needs. This role balances big-picture program development with the day-to-day coordination needed to make programming successful.
Key Responsibilities
Program Development & Curriculum
- Lead the development and evolution of ICDT!’s classes, camps, workshops, and other educational programming.
- Take new programming from concept through curriculum development, scheduling, staffing, communication, launch, and evaluation.
- Develop new and higher-level programming based on student interests, community needs, and opportunities for growth.
- Help determine class and camp offerings and shape curriculum to support student development and progression.
- Serve as a thought partner and sounding board for programming ideas and decisions.
- Regularly evaluate and refine programs to improve quality, engagement, and impact.
Scheduling & Program Operations
- Build and manage schedules for session classes, camps, and related programming.
- Coordinate the staffing, space, resources, materials, and other operational needs required to run programs successfully.
- Support class and camp planning, communication, and meetings as needed.
- Help strengthen student participation and engagement in classes and camps.
- Troubleshoot programming issues and work closely with Operations and Leadership to ensure smooth execution.
- Provide on-site support and serve as a point of contact for teaching artists.
Teaching Artists & Staffing
- Help identify, recruit, hire, and train teaching artists and classroom volunteers.
- Support and maintain the substitute teacher list and coordinate coverage for classes, camps, and productions.
- Be prepared to substitute for ICDT! classes or productions when needed.
- Ensure teachers have the information, curriculum, resources, and support they need to be successful.
- Build strong relationships with teaching artists and provide ongoing programming support.
- Observe teachers and provide feedback and guidance to support teaching quality and professional growth.
Program Evaluation & Quality
- Observe classes and camps to evaluate curriculum, instruction, student engagement, and overall program quality.
- Assess whether programs are meeting their educational and artistic goals.
- Use observations, enrollment data, feedback, and other information to inform programming decisions.
- Identify opportunities to improve curriculum, teaching, student experience, and program effectiveness.
Student & Parent Support
- Serve as a higher-level resource for student and parent concerns related to programming.
- Participate in parent conversations when appropriate.
- Help evaluate student/class fit and placement and support families in identifying appropriate programming pathways.
- Work with teachers and families to address programming-related concerns and identify effective solutions.
Communication
- Write and send class communications through Jackrabbit.
- Ensure teachers, students, and families have clear and timely programming information.
- Communicate schedules, changes, expectations, and other class, camp, and production information.
Summer Camps
- Serve as the Camp Manager of summer camp programming.
- Develop camp offerings, curriculum, schedules, and staffing plans.
- Oversee camp operations and support staff throughout the season.
- Observe and evaluate camp programming and identify opportunities for improvement and growth.
Leadership & Strategic Planning
- Manage the Education Department budget in collaboration with the Leadership Team.
- Collaborate with Artistic and Operations teams to align programming calendars, staffing, enrollment goals, and resources.
- Assess participation, enrollment, revenue, student experience, and program effectiveness.
- Identify opportunities for sustainable growth and contribute programming insights to organizational strategy.
- Support professional development and establish guidelines and practices that promote consistent, high-quality programming.
- Foster a creative, collaborative, and supportive environment for teaching artists and educational staff.
- Participate in DEI efforts and help ensure programming fosters inclusion, belonging, and access.
Administrative Responsibilities
- Add appropriate offset time amounts into BambooHR for teaching staff.
- Maintain staffing, scheduling, and other administrative information necessary to support programming.
- Partner with Operations and Leadership to ensure administrative processes support successful programming.
Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in educational program development and management, preferably in a performing arts, youth arts, or nonprofit setting.
- Bachelor’s degree in education, arts administration, performing arts, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
- Demonstrated experience developing educational programming from concept through implementation and evaluation.
- Strong knowledge of curriculum development and instructional strategies.
- Experience recruiting, hiring, supporting, and evaluating teachers or teaching artists.
- Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple programs, schedules, and priorities.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with students, families, teachers, leadership, and community stakeholders.
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to changing programming and staffing needs.
- Ability to provide thoughtful leadership and support in student, parent, teacher, and programming situations.
- Ability and willingness to step into classes or productions as a substitute when needed.
- Understanding of student development and appropriate class placement.
- Passion for the performing arts and commitment to ICDT!’s mission of empowering youth through the arts.
