Position Overview
The executive director for OTE leads program re-approval, University re-accreditation, and external compliance for all teacher education programs at the UMN-TC with Minnesota Statutes and Rules  (see Chapter 8705, specifically standards in 8705.1010 and 8710, and Chapter 122A), including managing support for the following: program design and improvement, designated school partnerships, clinical experiences; candidate supports; teacher educator qualifications, unit and program oversight, and school counseling programs. There are currently 43 unique programs located in 3 colleges across the UMN-TC campus.

The executive director convenes and guides conversations with groups of teacher education licensure program leaders across the campus (in CFANS, CLA, and CEHD) -  including faculty, staff, administrative directors, academic advisors, curriculum directors, department chairs, and school partners - to accomplish collaborative work needed for program compliance and improvement (e.g., LPL-OTE workgroup, Teacher Ed Directors group, Common Content instructors, clinical supervisors, CEHD School Partners, New Teacher Network alumni).

They represent the UMN-TC as the designated âœunit lead❠with Minnesotaâ™s Professional Educator Licensing Standards Board (PELSB) to 1) administer all licensure programs as approved, 2) maintain an assessment system â“ storing, tracking, and reporting, 3) recommend candidates upon completion of teacher preparation program, and 4) communicate with the PELSB Board, including notifying the board of changes to approved programs and courses through the program reporting process and submitting new or revised licensure program proposal applications and program effectiveness reports.

They manage and direct relationships, outreach, advocacy, and communication specific to teacher education with school professionals/partners, accreditation agencies, potential funders, the community of institutions of higher education, and other stakeholders aligned with the mission, vision, and goals of the Universityâ™s teacher licensure programs.

The Executive Director reports to the Assistant Dean of Online and Professional Education in the Deanâ™s office of CEHD. 

The University of Minnesota encourages a healthy work life balance for employees. CEHD is committed to an excellent employee experience, offering a flexible work environment that meets the needs of students, staff, faculty, and the communities we serve. Flexible work arrangements may include flexibility in schedule and/or work location. Please note that 100% remote work requires approval prior to offer. 


Job Responsibilities
Teacher Education Compliance Operations (40%)

• Serves as designated âœunit lead❠to Minnesota Professional Educator Standards and Licensing Board (PELSB) to ensure all teacher education programs at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities remain in compliance with Minnesota Statute 122A and Rules (Chapter 8705, specifically standards 8705.1010 and 8710) by developing and directing long-range strategic plans and operational support for teacher licensure program design and improvement; designated school partnerships; clinical experiences; candidates; teacher educator qualifications, and college oversight of teacher education and school counseling programs. 
• Creates efficient systems and aligns business practices to policy and data security to monitor and report teacher candidate progress, document continuous improvement, and fulfill all reporting requirements for teacher licensure University-wide.
• Oversees required Program Effectiveness Report for Continuing Approval (PERCA) to demonstrate each programâ™s design to address required content, pedagogical knowledge, and skills for all state standards in parts 8710.2000 to 8710.8080 and the professional dispositions, as required for program reaccreditation.
• Supervises developing and submitting any Request for Initial Approval (RIPA) preparation and external review process for new and significantly redesigned teacher licensure programs proposed by the University and/or College to PELSB. 
• Manages high-risk, complicated, and complex problems arising from unforeseen circumstances and mitigates risks through consultation and discretionary variance submissions to PELSB on behalf of students and/or programs.
• Leads long-range planning in workgroups and oversees staff in the preparation, completion, and submission of required state accreditation reports, including every three years (PERCA), every six years (either the Mid-cycle report or Unit Self-study), yearly (Data Summary Report, Teacher Education Faculty Qualifications), and quarterly (Discretionary Variance Requests) to PELSB.
• Improves and ensures quality, efficiency, and effectiveness for all teacher education assessment and data collection systems - creating new processes and systems as necessary - and implementing new practices across departments and colleges.
• Supervises professional and support staff responsible for supporting all teacher education programs with licensure advising, faculty qualifications, clinical placements, school partnerships, communication, advocacy, scholarships/grants, accreditation, program improvement, candidate progress tracking, and state/federal reports.
• Oversees OTE communication, faculty engagement, and internal and external reporting for over $2 million in annual teacher licensure candidate scholarships/awards/grants from the college, PELSB, Minnesota Department of Education, and Minnesota Office of Higher Education (MOHE).
• Serves as CEHD delegated authority to update, approve, and oversee Teacher Education clinical experience affiliation and negotiate data-sharing agreements between the Board of Regents and school districts on behalf of the College. 
• Addresses problems for teacher education programs that cannot be solved using existing practices or procedures; adapts to changing conditions or circumstances while working with other University leaders to integrate new approaches. 
• Directs the overall operations of the Office of Teacher Education (OTE) including financial, human resources, technology, as well as internal and external reporting and compliance requirements for the University. 
• Develops and oversees the Office of Teacher Education budget, including forecasting, approving, and monitoring financial documentation.

Teacher Education Strategic Planning & Leadership (35%)

• Convenes department chairs, directors, and program leads to review continuous improvement reports and identify top priorities for the Universityâ™s teacher education licensure programs. With college leadership, develop and implement unit-wide strategic plans and action steps specific to teacher education (e.g., research/program evaluation, professional development, new programming, teacher recruitment/retention, and teacher educator development). 
• Initiates and leads negotiation of Office of General Counsel approved agreements (e.g., data sharing, clinical experience affiliation, data security, memorandums of understanding) between the University and school partners, other universities, PELSB, and on-campus between colleges.
• Initiates and supports the (1) acquisition of additional funding from federal and state grants and (2) from private foundations and individuals to support teacher education candidates.
• Convenes teacher education licensure program leads/faculty, administrative directors, academic advisors, department chairs, and school partners to enact strategic plans and meet goals aligned with priorities identified (e.g., LPL-OTE workgroup, Teacher Ed Directors group, Common Content instructors, clinical supervisors, CEHD School Partner Network districts, New Teacher Network alumni).
• Engages college leadership and teacher education faculty in state and national political landscapes and teacher preparation and development topics.
• Ensures that departments' and programsâ™ teacher education strategic planning and the conceptual framework align with the mission, vision, and goals of the College of Education and Human Development and the University. 

Outreach and Engagement with External Stakeholders (25%)

• Manages relationships and outreach efforts specific to teacher education to effectively engage with Minnesotaâ™s Professional Educator Licensing Standards Board (PELSB), school professionals/partners, national accreditation agencies, potential funders, the community of institutions of higher education, and other stakeholders in the mission, vision, and goals of the Universityâ™s teacher licensure programs.
• Supervises professional staff to carry out the outreach, stakeholder, and school partner engagement plan for the Universityâ™s teacher licensure programs.
• Engages with external communication and press requests with teacher education faculty, OTE staff, and CEHDâ™s Senior Management Team. Additionally, support requests from the University Government Relations office, Presidentâ™s office, and College Communications offices as assigned.
• Represents the Universityâ™s future and current teacher licensure unit and programs work in national and regional meetings and conferences (e.g., serving as Chief Institutional
• Representative for the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE), Chief Institutional Representative for MN state chapter of AACTE (MACTE), and unit lead for the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities for PELSB).

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree plus 8 years related professional experience
• Experience in leading state, regional, or national accreditation for teacher education or related degrees
• Prior oversight of a small department or team
• Demonstrated ability to supervise others in a cooperative team setting, including hybrid and fully online work environments
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with diverse populations
• Demonstrated commitment to advocating for an inclusive environment for all backgrounds and identities.
• Demonstrated ability to work flexibly and successfully within a changing context
• Evidence of effective communication (written and oral) and interpersonal skills with people from a variety of backgrounds and identities

Preferred Qualifications

• Masterâ™s degree, Ed.D. or Ph.D. in Education or related field
• At least five years of experience working with a diverse student body and/or staff in a school/university environment
• Teaching experience within an education setting

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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