Educational Initiatives - Academic Director - Gifted & Talented Education & Counseling Division

Academic Director, Gifted and Talented Education and Counseling

- Structure: Independent SBU

- Reporting to: CEO

- Primary Responsibility: Building Academic Programs for Initiatives for the Gifted and Ensuring Seamless Execution of Programs

- Location: Bangalore

Background:

The Gifted Education and Counseling Division at EI started by partnering with Duke University, USA - providing them with access to the brightest students in India identified by ASSET - EI's Diagnostic Assessment taken by over 2000+ schools

In 2016, EI launched its own Summer Program for the Gifted under the aegis of ASSET Summer Program. Key highlights were:

1.) 3-week Residential Course

2.) Students of Grades 7 & 8 and

3.) Students chosen through an Above Level Test conducted specially by ASSET

Courses offered in the Summer Program typically equivalent to College Level Courses

The 2017 ASSET Summer Program at Manipal University had over 137 Bright students from all over India, learning and expressing themselves through a wide range of courses designed and conducted by a group of passionate and dedicated faculty. There will be about 300 students attending the 2018 ASSET Summer Program

The Key programs in GEAC would be:

- Summer Programs (Currently the mainstay of this division)

- Counseling and Guidance for Students from Grade 7 to University (Proposed)

- Round the Year Support for Students who want to access the best inputs from experienced mentors and Educational Specialists. --- This guidance will help the students in:

1. Choosing a career direction

2. Choosing the right courses and

3. Choosing the right University

This guidance is part of the whole package to help Gifted Students achieve their potential rather than a stand-alone offering.

Qualities:

- A Master's Degree in Education or Management

- Preferred experience of working with and knowledge of programming for Gifted Students

- Preferred experience of engaging in residential programs and camps

- Skills, training and expertise in Math and Science areas, preferred

- Technical competence a must

- Team Player with a positive attitude

- Ability to adapt and respond with alacrity

- Exemplary organizational skills including but not limited to attention to detail, ability to work on various projects at the same time, and ability to prioritize efforts based on current needs.

- Willingness to travel as and when needed

- High intellectual ability to design high quality programs and high intellectual ability to develop international partnerships.

Key Roles and Responsibilities (Mainly related to the Summer Programs)-

- Develop innovative, new and recurring curriculum/courses

- Recruit faculty to conduct these courses

- Oversee the course development for all Summer Programs and other programs that may be designed in future

- Manage the successful delivery of all courses, including setup and training of teaching staff and coordinator

- Update and revise the Academic Manual for the day and residential programs, incorporating changes as recommended by site and other staff

- Develop program content for any special events as required

- Remain current and up-to-date on gifted and talented related issues including the education and welfare of academically gifted students

- Design feedback mechanisms to collect, analyze and act upon student, faculty and parent feedback regarding the program delivery, quality and impact

- Serve as a positive role model for fellow employees and provide leadership for the Gifted and Talented as per its mission and philosophy

- Demonstrate dependability and task commitment

- Demonstrate sensitivity to the needs of children and parents and enjoy working with them

- Write professional column for monthly newsletter

- Assist with the development of the annual catalogue and brochures

- Keep the organization informed and updated about current gifted education issues

- Attend gifted education conferences, make presentations and consult on gifted education as assigned

- Work closely with recruitment personnel to hire and train summer staff

- As available, attend major site events such as pre-camp orientation, opening registration day, and the Final Program and be prepared to travel to sites if major issues arise, including filling in as a substitute Residential Director if needed

- Communicate with accepted students and their parents as needed

- Oversee all academic problem solving during camp and address any significant issues of students, parents, staff or facility administrators

- Oversee, organize and manage the student review process at the end of each session

- Be on call 24/7 while programs are in operation

- As needed, act as replacement Program Director for assigned campus

- Responsible for pre-summer planning at assigned campus venues including site facilities usage and liaising with campus staff

- For any day site assigned, coordinate day program components including site arrangements, staffing needs, and master schedule changes modifications as applicants are accepted

- Oversee all post-camp issues including final bills, refunds, staff meetings, parent issues, and other matters related to the site

- Perform other tasks as directed and required

- The Summer Program Responsibilities have been etched out in detail as the Summer Programs are the mainstay of GEAC as on date. The Academic Director would need to envision and implement the Counseling and Guidance Services as part of the whole student package.

References:

ASSET Summer Program: http://www.assettalentsearch.com/

5 minute film: https://youtu.be/c0iAo077ews