Position Summary:
New Position – Effective July 1, 2026
Under the direction of the Director of Systemic Improvement, the Instructional Specialist for Systemic Improvement is a strategic change agent who drives system-wide transformation through the application of improvement science and rigorous data analysis. The incumbent of this position is responsible for coaching diverse teams across all school levels (Pre-K to 12), facilitating professional learning, and guiding the development of School Performance Plans to accelerate student achievement and ensure organizational efficacy. The Instructional Specialist synthesizes performance metrics for stakeholders and monitors compliance with all federal, state and local mandates.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provides support sessions across all school levels in the development of School Performance Plans, ensuring that goals are measurable and aligned with district-wide performance metrics;
- Collects, analyzes and interprets student and staff performance data to identify trends, gaps and growth opportunities;
- Leads teams through iterative, disciplined inquiry cycles (e.g., Plan-Do-Study-Act) to test small-scale changes and use resulting learnings to inform subsequent cycles;
- Facilitates root-cause analysis to address systemic barriers and coach staff toward data-informed instructional practices that improve student achievement;
- Coaches diverse teams and facilitates professional learning to embed continuous improvement and data-driven collaboration into daily practice; builds the capacity of school and district teams in developing a collaborative, data-driven culture;
- Conducts non-evaluative walkthroughs to provide "just-in-time" coaching and ensures improvement goals and initiatives remain on track;
- Observes and monitors school performance plans to ensure all school-level improvement efforts are in compliance with federal, state and local guidelines;
- Transforms quantitative and qualitative data into visual tools that enable educators and district personnel to make real-time, informed decisions;
- Synthesizes complex performance metrics into comprehensive reports for the Director, the Board of Education, and all stakeholders to transparently demonstrate the impact of continuous improvement efforts;
- Facilitates regular evidence-based discussions with school and district teams to ensure decision-making is based on insights from data analysis;
- Applies expertise in research methodology to conceive and carry-out ad hoc research projects to meet specific information needs and support strategic planning;
- Provides support for school system initiatives as outlined in the Strategic Plan in collaboration with other offices and stakeholders;
- Fosters partnerships with parents and community members to integrate family voice into the school improvement process;
- Maintains advanced proficiency in Google Workspace and instructional technologies to streamline district-wide collaboration;
- Attends professional learning sessions and/or meetings as needed;
- Manages competing priorities and rigorous deadlines to support system-wide strategic goals;
- Partners with the Office of School Support and Leadership in the planning and facilitation of quarterly data meetings; and
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Demonstrated expertise in continuous improvement frameworks or methodologies;
- Knowledge of system-wide and school improvement planning;
- Demonstrated leadership and administrative competency;
- High data literacy with the ability to execute quantitative analysis and translate metrics into visual insights and displays;
- Knowledge of systems thinking, school organizational structures, and leverage points to drive organizational change;
- Keeps abreast of and utilizes latest research, best practices, developments and techniques in continuous improvement;
- Ability to weave federal and state reporting requirements (i.e., ESSA, Title I) into the improvement process;
- Skilled facilitator of professional learning and organizational change and capable of coaching diverse teams;
- Effective planning and organizational skills; ability to manage competing priorities and meet rigorous deadlines;
- Effective communication (oral and written), as well as human relations skills;
- Proficiency in navigating federal/state reporting (i.e., ESSA, Title I) and school improvement regulatory requirements;
- Experience working with state, county and/or federal agencies; and
- Demonstrated advanced proficiency in Google Workspace and instructional technologies.
Education and/or Experience Requirements:
Master's degree from an accredited college or university in education, educational policy, administration or a related field. A minimum of five (5) years of successful teaching and/or coaching experience.
Certification:
Holds or is eligible for a valid professional license in Administrator I (historical) or Supervisor of Instruction, Assistant Principal, or Principal issued by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).
Supervisory Responsibilities:
No direct supervisory responsibilities.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, sit, and use fingers, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, the ability to adjust focus, and depth perception. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 25 lbs.
Working Environment:
The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.
Additional Information:
None.
