Assistant Director (K-2 Pod), Charlotte Lab School | 2025-2026

FLSA: Exempt

Job Posting Date: December 3, 2025

Application Closing Date: position filled

Hours: Full-Time, 11 month, Onsite

Start Date: ASAP

Contract End Date: Jun 30, 2026

Responsibilities

The Charlotte Lab School Assistant Director for the K-2 Pod will have responsibilities in support of Lab’s instructional vision:

• Collaborate with the Head of Instruction to support all current instructional initiatives;

• Complete informal walkthroughs of instructional classrooms on a routine basis;

• Log walkthrough feedback based the Lab Coaching Strands & Indicators through the instructional coaching platform;

• Hold informal debrief meetings with teachers following each informal walkthrough;

• Complete formal observations of instructional staff using the Lab Teacher Evaluation Rubric;

• Log formal evaluation feedback based the Lab Teacher Evaluation Rubric through the instructional coaching platform;

• Hold formal post conferences with teachers following each observation;

• Generate data reports showing progress of informal and formal observations and feedback loops;

• Create short-term growth plans for all qualifying instructional staff;

• Monitor progress for short-term growth plans;

• Review and analyze student data to inform instructional decisions, planning and goal-setting;

• Support curriculum and instruction teams with the collection, analysis, reporting, and use of data to inform school-wide decisions;

• Support the development and implementation of formative and summative assessment plans.

• Assist the Head of K-4 with grade band pod time, department meetings, grading, progress reports, and conferences,

The Charlotte Lab School Assistant Director for the K-2 Pod will also have responsibilities in support of Lab’s wellness & culture vision:

• Develop relationships with students, families, teachers and colleagues based on mutual respect, integrity and trust, in pursuit of school goals and vision;

• Develop, lead, and model the implementation of culture and discipline policies grounded in trauma-informed and restorative practices with a lens for diversity and equity;

• Plan, lead, and participate in a variety of parent, family, and organization-wide events designed to build community and parent/family capacity and understanding of the Lab model, including weekly emails to K-2 families;

• Create equitable and inclusive environments that honor and support a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives;

• Model the value and priority of Lab’s advisory and wellness programming to accomplish our organization’s mission of meeting the needs of the whole child;

• Maintain an environment of physical and emotional safety for all stakeholders within the school community.

The Charlotte Lab School Assistant Director for the K-2 Pod will also have responsibilities in support of Lab’s operations vision:

• Model excellence and high expectations in all aspects of the school’s daily operations;

• Hold members of the pod team accountable to meeting established policies and expectations;

• Assist with the management of grade-level team's teacher absences, including:

  • Securing substitutes or coverages;

  • Collecting substitute plans for planned and emergency absences;

  • Provide coverage as needed if substitutes are not available

• Assist the Grade Level Lead(s) with planning and leading weekly grade-level meetings that focus on logistics, communication, and student support planning, including schedule changes

• Assist the Grade Level Lead(s) with management of weekly grade-level communication between colleagues and families (i.e. This Week In Newsletter)

• Assist the Grade Level Lead(s) with management of all grade-level field trips and events, including:

  • Producing or supporting a teacher in the creation of a robust field trip or event plan

  • Receiving proper approval for all field trips and events from the required parties

  • Managing the communication of field trips and events with staff, students, families, and the community (when applicable)

  • Leading "day-of" execution of all field trips and events;

• Support the External Relations team with relevant grade level activities, including kindergarten admissions events.

Charlotte Lab School employees will have responsibilities in support of Lab’s strategic vision:

• Utilize appropriate technology when relevant;

• Collect, analyze, and utilize data to inform decisions and practices;

• Maintain a student-centered approach to decision-making;

• Communicate frequently and regularly with colleagues;

• Participate actively in Lab’s instructional planning and development efforts;

• Participate actively in Lab’s performance evaluation process and ongoing professional development, specifically in the area of anti-racist practices.

Take on other responsibilities as needed, and as assigned, to ensure organizational success.

Qualifications:

• Be able/willing to learn how to fulfill the responsibilities listed above;

• ?Hold a Bachelor's degree from a four year institution;

• Hold a Master’s degree or have completed an equivalent program;

• Have a least 5 years of full-time teaching or leading experience;

• Are fully licensed or willing to obtain North Carolina K-5, 6-8 and/or 9-12 administrator licensure;

• Have comfort with technology and experience with Google Suite;

• Possess strong classroom and people management skills;

• Are exceptionally organized and have ability to prioritize effectively and meet competing deadlines;

• Demonstrate experience in, or passion for, teaching diverse populations.

In addition, the Lab School Leadership Team will look favorably upon candidates who:

PREPARATION:

• Have experience teaching and/or leading relevant grade range and content area;

• Have an advanced degree in a related field;

• Have experience with standards based grading;

• Have dual-certification to teach a core content area and:

• Exceptional Children

• Academically Gifted students

• English as a Second Language;

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrate commitment to Lab’s vision, mission, and growth;

• Demonstrate professional demeanor, strong self-confidence;

• Possess excellent written communication skills;

• Possess excellent interpersonal skills, with diverse students, colleagues, and families;

• Desire to work collaboratively with others in all aspects of the role;

• Display unquestioned integrity, strong judgment, and decision-making skills;

• Demonstrate ability to work in a dynamic, fast paced, start-up environment both independently and as part of a team.

MINDSET:

• Are motivated to work in an open, progressive school environment;

• Are independent thinkers;

• Are reflective in their practices and have a growth mindset;

• Have a willingness to take instructional risks;

• Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability, and ability to thrive in ambiguous situations;

• Demonstrate innovation and creativity;

• Take initiative, are self-starters, and demonstrate leadership skills;

• Have high energy, humility, and a good sense of humor.

Compensation

Charlotte Lab School offers competitive compensation commensurate with experience and education level using our compensation rubric. All salaries are determined pending verification of experience by our Finance/HR divisions and Board of Directors budget approval. This role falls under the Grade 3 Level. Please note the following regarding use of the rubric:

• Assistant, instructional, dean and counselor salaries (Grades 1-4) are determined based on 1 year credit for 1 year of teaching and/or other relevant experience. Increased pay for advanced degrees (which may include specialized leadership programs or certifications) is indicated above and paid on the basis on completion of qualifying programs.

• Leadership salaries (Grades 5 and above) are determined based on 1 year credit for 1 year of leadership experience, and .5 year credit for each year of teaching experience. Advanced degrees are assumed, so not considered in this scale.

The position also includes medical insurance for the employee, with voluntary dental and vision plans, and spouse/family coverage. Lab also provides access to a Flexible Spending Account for health and childcare expenses and an opportunity to contribute to a 403b retirement plan. Lab provides the opportunity for Lab employees to earn 11 PTO days each year (1/month). Full time Charlotte Lab School faculty members also receive priority in the student admissions process.

Application Process

Please visit https://www.charlottelabschool.org/working-at-lab.html to learn more about working at Lab and https://charlottelabschool.bamboohr.com/jobs/ to complete an application. You will be asked to include your resume and a detailed cover letter demonstrating your interest in working for Charlotte Lab School.

Charlotte Lab School is strongly committed to hiring a diverse and multicultural staff and we encourage applications from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds. Charlotte Lab School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, national, ethnic origin, or any other reason prohibited by state or federal law.