Instructional Specialist

Focus Area: Classroom Support

Summary

The Instructional Specialist should be knowledgeable in and able to model evidence-based effective practices in the areas of curriculum and curriculum standards, instructional design and delivery, and assessment and data analysis. He/she should be able to confidently recommend and/or provide professional learning opportunities that help teachers to improve the quality of their lessons, accelerate student learning toward the achievement of targeted outcomes, and enhance the overall professional practices of both teachers and leaders through a variety of methods.

Reports To

Assistant Superintendent

Contract Days

210

Salary

To be determined by salary schedule

Education, Experience, Skills, and Certification

Required

• Valid teaching certificate
• Knowledge of learning processes, research-based best practices, change theory, curriculum implementation, assessment, instructional strategies
• Demonstrated ability to raise student achievement and improve underperforming student achievement through a results-oriented approach driven by data
• Demonstrated knowledge of state and federal initiatives, including, but not limited to, ESSA, State Assessments, District Assessments, and Renaissance STAR Reading & Math assessments
• Demonstrated ability to work with others, collaborate to solve problems, and build high performing teams
• Ability to work well with a diverse group of people
• Ability to lead and motivate others to perform at high levels
• Exemplary communication and organizational skills

Preferred

• Minimum of five years teaching experience
• Building Level Administrator Certification (Preferred, but NOT required)

Physical Demands

• Requires the ability to communicate effectively using speech, vision, and hearing
• Requires the use of hands for simple grasping and fine manipulations
• Requires bending, squatting, crawling, climbing, reaching
• Requires the ability to lift, carry, push or pull light weights 

General Competencies

• Positive attitude - Optimistic, team-first attitude displayed at all times
• Relationship Building - Ability to effectively build relationships with students, parents, and co-workers

• Accountability - Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her actions
• Accuracy - Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly
• Oral Communication - Ability to clearly and appropriately articulate sounds and effectively communicate with others using the spoken word 
• Written Communication - Ability to clearly, appropriately, and concisely communicate with others in writing
• Diversity Oriented - Ability to work effectively with people regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or job type
• Creative - Ability to think in such a way as to produce a new concept or idea
• Energetic - Ability to work at a sustained pace and produce quality work
• Enthusiastic - Ability to bring energy to the performance of a task
• Ethical - Ability to demonstrate conduct conforming to a set of values and accepted standards
• Friendly - Ability to exhibit a cheerful demeanor toward others
• Honesty / Integrity - Ability to be truthful and be seen as credible in the workplace
• Initiative - Ability to make decisions or take actions to solve a problem or reach a goal
• Interpersonal - Ability to get along well with a variety of personalities and individuals
• Judgment - The ability to formulate a sound decision using the available information
• Loyal - The trait of feeling a sense of duty to the employer
• Organized - Possessing the trait of being organized or following a systematic method of performing a task
• Patience - Ability to act calmly under stress and strain, and of not being hasty or impetuous
• Punctuality - Ability to report to work on time on a day-to-day basis
• Regular attendance - Exhibiting regular attendance in order to perform duties in a satisfactory manner
• Reliability - The trait of being dependable and trustworthy
• Responsible - Ability to be held accountable or answerable for one’s conduct
• Tactful - Ability to show consideration for and maintain good relations with others
• Working Under Pressure - Ability to complete assigned tasks under stressful situations

Primary Performance Duties & Responsibilities

• Attend/Participate/Facilitate in collaborative team meetings (CTMs).
• Support and assist schools with various aspects of the school improvement planning process and implementation of the school improvement plan.
• Recognize and involve various stakeholder groups.
• Analyze Data, Assess Needs, Establish Priorities, Set Goals, Establish Measurable Objectives, Develop Strategic Action Plans, Implement with Fidelity, and Progress Monitor to improve instruction, increase student achievement, and close gaps.  
• Analyze and interpret data to assist the schools and the district through a systematic problem-solving process to identify instructional needs of teachers and students.  
• Provide instructional support to teachers and teams by reviewing best practices, providing information, and facilitating PD sessions for district and school personnel as appropriate in curriculum, instruction, assessment, and standards. 
• Provide specialized and intensive support for teachers and teams through ongoing student focused coaching cycles.
• Provide modeling of specific best practices, including curricular alignment activities, digital integration, culturally responsive teaching and learning, differentiated instruction, co-teaching and other strategies to support the professional growth of teachers and leaders.  
• Work collaboratively with building and district leadership, as well as external partners related to the  implementation, evaluation, monitoring, and fidelity checks of a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) process.
• Maintain a strong and current knowledge base in literacy strategies and be able to demonstrate how literacy can be integrated into ALL content areas and grade levels.
• Provide information, training and support to teachers, leaders, and others as needed and/or requested.
• Provide current information from the district and external partners to assist schools and teams with expectations related to curriculum, instruction, and assessment requirements.
• Assist with the selection, effective use, and evaluation of instructional materials and resources.
• Assist with the development of building and district-wide processes, protocols, and procedures related to curriculum and instruction and building the capacity of teachers, teams, and leaders to increase student achievement and reduce the opportunity gaps for all learners.
• Maintain regular attendance.
• Perform other job duties as assigned.