Program Director, Empowering Teacher Learning

Posting Details

Request to Recruit

Position Title Program Director, Empowering Teacher Learning Location Boone, NC Faculty Rank No Provide Rank Position Number 094581 Department Office of Rural Promise - 240105

Position Summary Information

Primary Purpose

This position leads and manages day-to-day operations for the Education, Innovation, & Research (EIR) federal grant program, awarded to Appalachian State University through the U.S. Department of Education. The 5-year grant program, titled Empowering Teacher Learning (ETL), aims to study the effectiveness of an innovative professional learning system that offers a self-directed, competency based micro-credentialing program to public middle school teachers in western North Carolina. The program will offer stipends to teachers for participating. The Project Director will be responsible for launching the grant, managing relationships with partners and the U.S. Department of Education, and monitoring the research implementation of the grant.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's Degree in a related field.
• Experience managing large scale projects.
• Experience working in public schools.
• Demonstrated knowledge of teacher professional learning requirements in North Carolina.
• Ability to thoughtfully and efficiently design and execute large scale projects, preferably involving research.
• Must be a dynamic communicator, able to quickly build rapport with others, willing to listen and receive feedback, and adapt to changing needs.

License/Certification Required Preferred Qualifications

• Doctorate degree in a related field.
• 3-5 years of experience working as an external partner with North Carolina K-12 schools.
• Knowledge of experimental research design principles.
• Experience managing federal grant programs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Reporting to, and under the direction of the Executive Director of the Office of Rural Promise, this position leads and manages day-to-day operations for the Education, Innovation, & Research (EIR) federal grant program, awarded to Appalachian State University through the U.S. Department of Education. The 5-year grant program, titled Empowering Teacher Learning (ETL), aims to study the effectiveness of an innovative professional learning system that offers a self-directed, competency based micro-credentialing program to public school teachers in North Carolina. The Program Director of ETL is responsible for the strategic coordination, communication, and implementation of the ETL framework with 25+ partner school districts, 500+ teachers, and 10,000+ students across North Carolina. The program will have a specific focus on building literacy strategies, implementing high impact tutoring, and the development of new micro-credentials based on the needs of NC teachers. Participating teachers will receive stipends at multiple milestones throughout the year each year. The Program Director will be responsible for launching the grant, managing relationships with partners and the U.S. Department of Education, and monitoring the research implementation of the grant.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP

• Supervise a team of 6-8, providing a positive, welcoming, and supportive environment where all team members can thrive. Provide ongoing feedback and establish annual performance plans/reviews for all direct reports.
• Lead team to achieve program goals and objectives according to the specifications of the grant award.
• Provide effective day-to-day management and administration for EIR and ensure grant project is making adequate progress.
• Serve as direct point of contact and maintain regular communication with the grant's designated Program Officer at the U.S. Department of Education.
• Implement and regularly advocate for departmental mission, vision, and core values.

RECRUITMENT & TRAINING

• Promote open staff positions and ensure all positions are hired and trained effectively to be successful in their work.
• Recruit a minimum of 25 schools and 500 teachers to serve as participants in the Empowering Teacher Learning Program.

PARTNER RELATIONS

• Establish, nurture, and sustain positive relationships and collaboration between and among Appalachian State University and partner districts.
• Develop and maintain a culture of support to and engagement with partnering school districts. Work with partner school leadership to resolve any issues that may arise.
• Maintain regular contact with and provide regular progress updates to district level leadership (Principals, Superintendents, etc.) regarding grant objectives. Travel to participating schools intermittently.
• Provide oversight and guidance to external service providers to ensure contract deliverables are high quality, innovative, effective, and efficient.
• Ensure participating teachers have the support they need to complete the core components of the program (needs assessment, learning contract, micro-credentials, receive stipends).

GRANTS MANAGEMENT & COMPLIANCE

• Oversight of EIR program budget of approximately $2 million per year for 5 years.
• Responsible for ensuring funds are spent according to federal and state regulations, institutional policies, and program specifications. Ensure cost-share is captured with adequate progress.
• Track and manage grant funds to assure their proper use, maintain records, and prepare financial reports as necessary.
• Work collegially with intra-institutional offices (Contracts and Grants Accounting, Sponsored Programs, General Counsel, Internal Audits, etc.) to ensure grant compliance and audit readiness.
• Proactively monitor compliance and address any risks swiftly and effectively.

Develop and ensure consistent implementation of program policies and procedures.

RESEARCH & EVALUATION

• Lead the development and submission of the Annual and Final Performance Reports to the U.S. Department of Education.
• Oversee ongoing data collection and management according to FERPA, ensuring all personally identifiable data is shared and housed securely.
• Regularly monitor and evaluate the performance of the program. Adapt to changing environments/needs and course correct as needed.
• Work with an internal and external evaluator team in the development and implementation of a comprehensive research and evaluation plan for an experimental design study (randomized control trial) that meets What Works Clearinghouse standards without reservations.
• Disseminate results of the study through publications, practitioner reports, blogs, peer-reviewed journals, etc.

Type of Position Full Time Position Staff/Non-Faculty Staff/Non-Faculty VISA Sponsorship? VISA sponsorship is not available for this position. All candidates must be eligible to work and live in the U.S. Appointment Type 1.0 Work Schedule/Hours 8:00am - 5:00pm Monday - Friday, with occasional weekend hours as needed (minimal). Number of Hours Per Week 40 Number of Months Per Year 12 Mandatory Staff No Suggested Salary Range $80,000 - $88,683 Physical Demands of Position

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Posting Details Information

Posting Date 08/26/2026 Closing Date Open Until Filled Yes Evaluation of Applications Begins 09/09/2026 Proposed Date of Hire 10/05/2026 Special Instructions to Applicants

Please provide a resume, cover letter, and answers to required supplemental questions in the application.

Please enter a minimum of 3 professional references in the application or attach a List of 3 References with Contact Information.

Search Chair Name Corinne Smith Search Chair Email smithmc3@appstate.edu Quick Link https://appstate.peopleadmin.com/postings/55830 Posting Number 201501834P

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• What does teacher directed professional learning mean and how could it impact teaching and learning in western North Carolina?

(Open Ended Question)

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter / Letter of Interest

Optional Documents

• List of References with Contact Information