Application Guide
How to Apply for Center for Inspired Teaching, Exceptional Learning (CITEL), Managing Director, Learning
at Teach Plus
🏢 About Teach Plus
Teach Plus is a national nonprofit uniquely focused on empowering experienced, diverse teachers to lead policy and practice changes that advance equity and student success. The Center for Inspired Teaching, Exceptional Learning (CITEL) is a bold new initiative reimagining how teachers work in high-impact teams, making this an exciting opportunity to shape the future of education.
About This Role
The Managing Director, Learning will lead the development and scaling of CITEL's learning network, including designing professional learning experiences for teacher leaders and managing a national Community of Practice. This role is impactful because it directly supports pilots across 8 states, driving the adoption of rigorous, grade-level instruction through teacher-led teams.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve a virtual check-in with pilot site leads across states, reviewing data on teacher engagement in the community of practice, and designing a module for teacher leaders on high-quality curriculum implementation. You'll also collaborate with the CITEL team to refine the learning network strategy and prepare resources for upcoming convenings.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Teach Plus Is Looking For
- Deep experience in instructional leadership, teacher development, and designing professional learning at scale.
- Strong project management skills with ability to coordinate multi-state pilots and a national community of practice.
- Commitment to equity and understanding of how teacher voice and leadership advance student outcomes.
- Experience with data-driven decision making and using evidence to improve instructional practices.
📝 Tips for Applying to Teach Plus
Highlight any experience you have with building or managing communities of practice, especially in education.
Explicitly connect your past work to Teach Plus's mission of empowering teacher leaders for equity.
Demonstrate familiarity with CITEL's hypothesis (coherent academic strategy + high-impact teams + high-quality curriculum) and how your skills align.
Include specific examples of scaling instructional initiatives across multiple sites or states.
Tailor your resume to emphasize leadership in teacher development and policy advocacy, not just classroom teaching.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your passion for teacher leadership and equity-driven instructional improvement.', 'Specific examples of designing or leading professional learning for teachers that improved student outcomes.', 'Experience with multi-site or network-based educational initiatives and how you managed complexity.', "Alignment with Teach Plus's belief in investing in talented teachers as change agents."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Read Teach Plus's latest reports on teacher leadership and policy impact.
- → Review CITEL's current pilot sites and understand the variation in state contexts.
- → Familiarize yourself with the 'Inspired Teaching, Exceptional Learning' hypothesis and its underlying research.
- → Look at the bios of current Teach Plus leadership to understand the team's expertise and values.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention CITEL or its specific approach.
- Focusing only on classroom teaching experience without demonstrating leadership or scaling initiatives.
- Ignoring the equity focus—this role is deeply tied to advancing opportunities for underserved students.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!