OVERVIEW
The University of St. Thomas invites qualified candidates to apply for the position Director of Drexel Catholic Teacher Academy within the School of Education.
We anticipate this to be a four year term appointment. Continuation of the position is dependent on performance, department needs, and availability of funding.
The University of St. Thomas embraces belonging and equal opportunity for all. Our convictions of dignity, diversity and personal attention call us to embody and champion an inclusive environment. The University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer (EEO). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, or other protected characteristic. This commitment to inclusion and equal opportunity is consistent with our mission: Inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition, the University of St. Thomas educates students to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely, and work skillfully to advance the common good. A successful candidate will possess a commitment to the ideals of this mission.
JOIN OUR COMMUNITY
The University of St. Thomas offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program, which includes:
- Tuition Remission for employees, spouses, and dependents
- Generous Retirement Contributions to support your future
- Comprehensive Health Coverage including medical, dental, and vision
- Fully Paid Insurance: disability, life, and AD&D
- Paid Parental Leave to support growing families
Salary Range: $75,000 to $120,000
The University of St. Thomas has provided a salary range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The specific salary offered will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.
JOB SUMMARY
The Director of the Drexel Catholic Teacher Academy leads the design, launch, and implementation of the Catholic Teacher Pathway, an employment-based teacher preparation program serving Catholic schools across the Twin Cities. This role is responsible for building and managing a sustainable pipeline of licensed elementary educators by overseeing program operations, candidate recruitment, school partnerships, and evaluation. The Program Director works collaboratively with university faculty and staff, Catholic school leaders, community college partners, and external stakeholders to ensure program success and long-term scalability.
The Director leads communication and coordination with stakeholders at Catholic schools and other community organizations. The position requires leadership, communication, and accountability within the School of Education to the office of the Dean and to faculty and staff, as well as communication and direct contact with external groups, institutions, schools, and individuals.
Specific responsibilities and outcomes include development and management of unit budget, design and implementation of program evaluation systems, frequent collaboration within the School of Education and the broader university to ensure smooth operation of data management systems, and oversight and leadership of: candidate recruitment, program data collection and analysis, report writing, grant development, and assistance in developing and maintaining post-program retention supports for candidates. The position also requires meeting facilitation and attendance, event planning, and other duties as assigned.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Program Leadership & Implementation
Lead the planning, launch, and execution of the Catholic Teacher Pathway, including program design, timeline management, and ongoing refinement to ensure alignment with licensure requirements and program goals.
Recruitment & Candidate Pipeline Development
Develop and implement recruitment and marketing strategies to build program awareness; enroll and support three cohorts of candidates, including individuals completing MnTC requirements and those transitioning from paraprofessional or related roles.
Partnership Development & Management
Build and maintain relationships with Catholic schools, community colleges, and other key partners to support candidate pathways, residency placements, and program success.
Residency & Clinical Experience Oversight
Work with university faculty and staff to coordinate and monitor high-quality residency placements, ensuring alignment between school-based experiences, mentor support, and university coursework.
Candidate Support Coordination
Collaborate with university staff to support candidate success, including advising coordination, onboarding, progress monitoring, and access to financial and programmatic resources. Support retention systems for candidates after program completion.
Evaluation & Data Management
Lead program evaluation efforts by collecting and analyzing data on candidate performance, retention, and program outcomes; prepare reports for internal and external stakeholders.
Financial & Grant Management
Monitor program budget and expenditures, ensuring alignment with grant requirements and effective use of resources. Identify opportunities for program expansion, long-term sustainability, and additional funding to scale the model beyond the pilot phase.
Additional Duties as Assigned
Perform additional duties as assigned by the Dean of the School of Education.
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Qualifications
- Master’s Degree in Education
- 5 years of experience working in or with Catholic Schools, preferably in Minnesota
- Proficiency in project management
Preferred Qualifications
- Education Specialist or Education-related doctorate
- Prior experience with Drexel Mission Schools
An equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills have been acquired may be substituted.
HOW TO APPLY
All interested candidates must apply online at https://www.stthomas.edu/jobs/. Follow the instructions to complete an online application which includes creating or updating an applicant profile, uploading a resume, and completing a job specific application.
In light of its commitment to create and maintain a safe learning and working environment, employment with the University of St. Thomas requires consent and successful completion of a background screening.
Official job posting is available at www.stthomas.edu/jobs.
