Equity Statement
We believe that cultural, institutional, and individual racism creates disparities and barriers that are neither fair nor equitable. We are committed to advancing racial equity as a foundational element of all aspects of our work and with all of our stakeholders. In addition to racism, we recognize that ALL other forms of bias must also be addressed in order to create a more just and equitable society. We remain steadfast in our commitment to comprehensive community partnerships to help close the racialized achievement gap in our schools and colleges. We strive to create a truly equitable organization: one where students, families, and communities are welcomed and supported, where their faces, voices, and experiences are reflected and valued. We listen and respond with great care and intentionality to the students and families with whom we partner. We consistently analyze our organizational commitment to equity and inclusion as expressed through our policies and practices, our workforce and board composition, and engagement of students and families as central guiders of our work. We are committed to collaborating with other organizations towards advancing equity for all.
Overview of Organization and the Dreamer School
“I Have a Dream” Oregon is seeking applicants for the full-time position of Senior Director of Program. This is an opportunity to join a mission-driven team unified around educational equity and a vision to break the cycle of poverty and change the game at a systemic level for children and families in poverty-impacted communities. Beginning in 1990, “I Have a Dream” (IHD) partnered with schools in poverty-impacted areas to select their 3rd grade class to be a Dreamer Class. IHD has selected 10 such classes; five are still active—one just graduating high school with the remainder in college. “Dreamers” receive three core services: mentoring, academic and social services, and exposure to a “culture of college and career” through post-secondary education. Building on this success, in 2010 IHD moved to a “Dreamer School” model, expanding our reach to annually serve over 800 Dreamer students and their families in the Reynolds School District through a highly collaborative shared-cost model with more than 70 nonprofit and higher education partners. 84% of these students are children of color and many are bi-lingual, with over 25 languages represented. In addition to continuing the three core services cited above, the Dreamer School model includes expanded emphasis on early childhood education, college completion and career transition, and unprecedented community collaboration. The Dreamer School model follows students who begin their pre-K-12 journey at Alder Elementary – one of Oregon’s most poverty-impacted schools – through middle school, Reynolds High School and eventually, post-secondary education/certification and family-wage careers. For more information, please visit www.dreamoregon.org.
Goals and Beliefs
Our ultimate Dreamer School goal is to help students and families break the cycle of intergenerational poverty, including 100% of Dreamer students completing high school and at least 80% completing a post-secondary degree or certificate. We also spur systemic change in poverty-impacted communities by creating innovative, systemic approaches to remove barriers and create opportunities for educational success and by leveraging our Dreamer School model as a demonstration project from which others can learn. We believe that all children start out curious, creative and full of potential. We believe that families wake up every day and do their very best to support their children.
Senior Director of Program Responsibilities
The Senior Director of Program (SDP) is highly a motivated, entrepreneurial leader. The SDP will serve as a member of the leadership team of IHD, sit on the Reynolds School District’s Reynolds Transformational Team (RTT) and direct program staff. They are responsible for setting the vision of the program, leading the collaboration with school/district leaders, major educational and nonprofit partners, families, and community residents to transform a poverty-impacted school and create more neighborhood stability. The SDP will provide central leadership to ensure the continued success of all Dreamer programming, including but not limited to:
- Setting the vision for the Pre-K to career program continuum.
- Ensuring culturally responsive programming, communication and evaluation is occurring.
- Leading a dynamic professional Program Team including five program managers. Working with staff to develop annual work plans and measurements for accountability and program efficiencies. Facilitating and monitoring program budgets.
- Actively participating with the leadership team on organizational, board, budgetary and HR issues while representing the Program Team.
- Establishing and executing a comprehensive program assessment and reporting system using in-house database (Effortsto-Outcomes) to track and monitor Dreamers’ progress against goals from early childhood programming through college and career. Implementing programmatic adjustments based on data.
- Cultivating highly productive relationships with “I Have a Dream” leaders, Dreamer program principals and other building leaders, Dreamer families, district leaders, and members of the community.
- Maintaining highly effective partnerships with a wide range of best-in-class partner organizations (e.g. leading educational and nonprofit organizations, local associations and businesses). The SDP will be expected to initiate collaborations with college and career partners.
- Enhancing the organization’s culture by reinforcing core values and promoting a positive work environment. Actively assisting in fund raising, public relations, and media relations for IHD.
To review the full job description please click HERE.
Commitment to Equity
