Director, Academics - Iowa

About Us

Stellar Virtual was founded in 2019 with one school in Texas. We serve parents of K-12 students, unhappy with their current school or need an at-home/flexible learning environment. Today, Stellar Virtual has grown to six schools across three states: Texas, Arizona, and Indiana. Stellar Virtual is committed to going above and beyond for our virtual families. 


Our Promise
Empowering families with the choice of a high-quality virtual school with dedicated staff focused on student outcomes and an exceptional customer experience, our program will enable students to thrive and unleash their full potential.


Our Mission

Empowering Families. Unleashing Potential. 


Our Core Values

At Stellar Virtual, we are guided by five core values. For us, these values are more than just something in an employee handbook that you’ll only hear about during orientation. These values are the pillars by which we operate all aspects of our organization. We talk about them often, and we expect that every one of our employees not only talks about our core values but also acts upon them.


So, it’s important to us that anyone who joins Stellar embraces our core values.

  • Kids First, Always: We make student-centered decisions and always do what's best for our kids.
  • Respect: We assume the best of others and treat others the way we want to be treated.
  • Create, Communicate, Collaborate: We create together, communicate openly, and work as a team to deliver more than we ever could individually
  • Make Your Motion Matter: We work deliberately, efficiently, and with a sense of purpose to achieve great results.
  • Go the Extra Mile to Deliver a Stellar Customer Experience: We recognize that every interaction, no matter how small or unrelated it may seem, is an opportunity to build trust and goodwill with our customers.


Technology Aspect
At Stellar Virtual, we are committed to equipping our employees for success in a virtual setting. For this purpose, we provide company-issued laptops with essential software, security features, and internal support. Please note that this benefit is exclusive to our W-2 employees and does not extend to independent contractors (1099), seasonal staff, or unpaid individuals.


Position Details

  • Position Name: Director, Academics (Iowa)
  • Status: Salaried, Exempt - Remote (IA)
  • Type: Regular, Full-Time (12)
  • School Year (if applicable): 2025-2026
  • Estimated Time to Start: 2-3 Weeks

Position Overview
Stellar Virtual is seeking an experienced and visionary Academic Director to lead and oversee the academic programs at our Iowa-based virtual learning institution. The Academic Director will provide strategic leadership to ensure students receive a high-quality virtual education while meeting Iowa state standards. This role requires a dynamic leader who can inspire educators, collaborate with stakeholders, and leverage technology to innovate and enhance the learning experience.

Essential Duties

  • Academic Leadership & Strategy
    • Develop and implement a strategic academic vision that aligns with Stellar Virtual’s mission and Iowa state requirements.
    • Lead the continuous improvement of instructional programs to enhance student outcomes and engagement.
    • Oversee curriculum selection, development, and alignment with Iowa Core Standards.
  • Instructional Support & Teacher Development
    • Provide instructional leadership by mentoring and coaching teachers and academic staff.
    • Oversee professional development initiatives to support effective virtual teaching methodologies.
    • Evaluate instructional practices and provide targeted feedback to educators to improve student performance.
  • Student Achievement & Assessment
    • Monitor student performance data and implement strategies to support academic success.
    • Oversee assessment administration, data analysis, and the use of results to drive instructional improvements.
    • Ensure implementation of intervention programs to support struggling learners and close achievement gaps.
  • Compliance & Accreditation
    • Ensure academic programs comply with all state, federal, and accreditation requirements.
    • Lead state reporting efforts and maintain documentation for audits and accountability measures.
    • Stay informed on Iowa education laws, policies, and best practices in virtual education.
  • Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement
    • Partner with leadership, families, and community organizations to foster student success.
    • Work closely with other departments, including student services, special education, and technology, to support holistic student development.
    • Represent Stellar Virtual at state and national education forums as needed.


Knowledge, Skills & Attributes 

  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in instructional leadership, curriculum development, or school administration, preferably in a virtual or blended learning environment.
  • Experience working in a K-12 virtual education setting.
  • Iowa administrator certification or eligibility for certification.
  • Background in instructional coaching and teacher development.
  • Proven track record of improving student academic outcomes.
  • Strong understanding of Iowa state education standards and virtual education best practices.
  • Exceptional leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
  • Ability to analyze data to drive academic decision-making and continuous improvement.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with educators, families, and stakeholders.
  • Proficiency with educational technology platforms and learning management systems.


Education & Certification Requirements

  • A bachelor’s degree in education or a related field is required. 
  • A master’s degree in education or leadership is highly preferred.
  • An active Iowa Principal License or equivalent administrative certification is required.
  • A valid Iowa teaching license with prior teaching experience in the state is preferred.



At-Will Notice
Employment with Stellar Virtual (for W-2 employment types) is at-will. This means that both the employee and Stellar Virtual have the right to terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or advance notice, as permitted by law. This job description does not create any guarantee of continued employment or a contract for a specific period. This policy does not apply to Independent Contractors (1099).



Equal Employment (EEO) Statement

At Stellar Virtual, we embrace diversity and foster an inclusive and supportive work environment. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences. Stellar Virtual is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

The pay range for this role is:

85,000 - 95,000 USD per year (Remote (Iowa, US))

Academics

Remote (Iowa, US)

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