Associate Director of Culture & Instruction

Independence Preparatory Academy is a new, academically challenging, highly structured, and joyful K-8 school in Fairfield, AL. We are on a mission to equip all students with the academic tenacity and strength of character necessary to choose their destiny and create a fulfilling life. We develop empowered learners through agency, purpose, and tenacity. 

In August 2025, Independence Preparatory Academy will open its doors to 160 kindergarten through second-grade students. We will grow until we reach a total capacity of 520 students during the 2032-2033 school year in kindergarten through eighth grade. We are actively building a founding team that shares our belief that with rigorous academics, high-quality instruction, and character development, all students can excel in high school, college, and life.

EMBRACE YOUR CALLING 

Are you passionate about shaping an innovative and inclusive learning environment by driving academic excellence through strategic instructional leadership? Are you driven to empower educators, foster their growth, and implement impactful teaching strategies that elevate student engagement and achievement? Do you thrive on collaborating with a diverse team, leveraging your expertise to ensure every student receives a quality education tailored to their needs? If so, Independence Preparatory Academy could be your perfect fit.

To achieve our vision, we seek an Associate Director of Culture and Instruction with a Bachelor’s degree and at least 3+ years of experience in teaching and leading teams to excellent outcomes fueled by a passion for their team’s success and continual improvement.  

We are hiring for a September start date. The salary range for this position is between $60,000 and $75,000. New hires can expect to be brought into the organization at a salary at or near the start of the range, depending on relevant experience, teacher certification status, and internal equity. Compensation is based on our salary scales and is not negotiable.

ACHIEVE IMPACTFUL OUTCOMES

• Master the foundations of iPrep’s academic content and social-emotional curriculum, including a deep understanding of the Science of Reading and aligned practices, standard analysis and breakdown, anticipating and mitigating student misconceptions, and maintaining this standard for excellence in content knowledge, planning, and implementation with the teaching teams you manage.
• Build a joyful and rigorous school culture amongst fellow leaders, teachers, staff, students, and families.
• Drive your team to get the desired outcomes in academics, social-emotional learning, and classroom management by analyzing student performance data to identify areas for improvement, developing strategies for growth, and monitoring progress toward goals.
• Maintains the standard for problem-solving, ownership, and a deep investment in student outcomes within the school leadership team.
• Lead weekly professional development opportunities with other leaders and colleagues to support educators in personal and professional growth.

Requirements

LEAD AT INDEPENDENCE PREPARATORY ACADEMY

iPrep teammates are perpetual learners, challenging the status quo and solving challenges together. We remain united by our commitment to envisioning the infinite potential of every child. Our ideal candidate believes in our scholars and our community.  They have a passion for scholar-centered learning, evident in the following orientations: 

• Adaptability: Our educators have an orientation to building alongside each other.  This means a commitment to:
• Learning and iterating
• An openness to giving and receiving feedback
• An entrepreneurial spirit: building from the ground up
• Collaboration with other adults and families
• Belief in our model and our graduate profile through a commitment to:
• Student agency and advocacy
• Supporting students in finding their purpose
• Mastery-based grading 
• Profound learning experiences
• Student result orientation: through a commitment to:
• Hard quantitative academics 
• Holistic indicators for success 
• Knowledge of self: confidence in describing your identity, purpose, and passions

Benefits

ENJOY OUR INVESTMENT IN YOU 

What we offer:

• A chance to be part of community development and work alongside the community to SOAR
• Being a part of a new, innovative, unprecedented school model
• Unique model experiences - ex: Eagle Quests, Choice Day
• Mastery-Based Grading
• Coaching toward student agency, purpose, and tenacity
• World-class peers - we are looking for exemplary educators committed to pushing your practice, collaborating with peers, and being aligned with our mission and vision
• Discipline that makes sense - restorative practices rooted in our core values and celebrated through positive incentives and rewards
• Deep care about your personal and professional growth: 
• A clear pathway to professional growth
• Consistent feedback and support from managers and teammates 
• Community Circle to build and strengthen our sense of team
• Weekly professional development
• Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, and vision plans
• 403(b) retirement plan; iPrep offers contributions of up to 5% of your salary toward your savings
• Competitive compensation