Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction

Muskegon Public Schools

Matthew Cortez, Superintendent

April 2, 2026

An administrative position is available for the 2026-27 school year with Muskegon Public Schools. Qualified candidates must submit a resume, a letter of interest, three (3) letters of recommendation, and copies of credentials by April 24, 2026. All submissions must be emailed to Matthew Cortez, mcortez@mpsk12.net, for consideration. 

Job Posting:  Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction 

Reports to: Superintendent of Schools 

Position Available: July 1, 2026

Requirements:

• Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership or Curriculum
• Minimum of Five (5) years of Educational experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the position. Must include classroom experience as a teacher. 
• Minimum of five years of successful experience in district-level administration.
• Valid Michigan Administrative Certificate K-12
• Demonstrated leadership ability

Preferred:

• Extensive experience leading district-wide curriculum development, K-12 instructional alignment, and assessment systems.

For 150 years, the Public Schools of the City of Muskegon have been more than just a school district - we have been the heartbeat of this community. In 2025, we celebrated our sesquicentennial graduating class, marking a century and a half of resilience, excellence, and a deep-rooted commitment to our students.

Our history is unique. Long before "career readiness" was a buzzword, Charles Hackley envisioned a district where trade education was a cornerstone of the American dream. He funded the Manual Training Center, making MPS one of the first districts in the nation to bridge the gap between the classroom and the workforce. That legacy of investment grew to include our oversight of the public library and the Muskegon Museum of Art, weaving our schools into the very cultural fabric of the Lakeshore.

While many know us for the storied success of our Big Reds football program and our beautiful historical buildings, our true leadership has always been found in our willingness to evolve.

A New Spark of Innovation:

Following the challenges of the COVID-19 epidemic, we recognized that "returning to normal" wasn't enough. We needed to transform the very foundation of how we approach teaching and learning.

In the spring of 2023, our leadership team traveled to Nashville, Tennessee, to witness a revolution in education: the Nashville Academies, a partnership with Ford Next Generation Learning (Ford NGL). There, we saw what happens when you empower students with voice and choice. We saw a vision where every student is the architect of their own future.

We brought that spark back to the Lakeshore, and from it, the Innovation Academies of Muskegon (IAM) was born.

What is IAM?

IAM is not just a program; it is a community connected career based education for every child from Kindergarten through 12th grade. We are the fourth district in Michigan—and the first on the Lakeshore—to embark on this journey with Ford NGL.

The IAM model is built on: 

• Community Collaboration: We have partnered with over 80 local businesses, philanthropies, and community leaders to ensure our curriculum meets the needs of the modern world.
• The Portrait of a Graduate: Our community defined five essential attributes that every Big Red Graduate will possess upon graduation.
• A Diploma and a Plan: By the end of 9th grade, every student chooses a career academy and pathway. Our goal is simple: ALL students graduate with a diploma and a plan. That plan is based upon the voice and choice of each student using their passion to guide them into their next stage of life.

Be a Part of the Transformation

The 2025-26 school year marks the official launch of our three-year implementation of Innovation Academies of Muskegon. This is where history meets the future. We are defining the practices of a true 21st-century educational system, and we are looking for educators, innovators, and leaders to help us build it.

At MPS, you aren't just taking a job; you are joining a legacy. You are stepping into a district that honors its past while aggressively pursuing a better future for its students. If you want to work in a place where your voice matters and where "choice" is a core value for both students and staff, this is your home.

The future of education is happening right here on the Lakeshore. Be a Big Red today!