Position: Instructional Specialist – High School RELA

Position Summary:

The Instructional Specialist for High School Reading/English Language Arts, grades 9 - 12, is responsible for assisting the Supervisor of High School Reading/English Language Arts by ensuring that curriculum resources and materials reflect best practices and align to the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards, that professional development is delivered to build teacher and organizational capacity, by working as a liaison between the Office of Special Education and ESOL to support department initiatives, and to serve as a content and program resource for the High School Reading/English Language Arts Office.  The Instructional Specialist is also responsible for monitoring the implementation of all reading intervention programs, data analysis for Performance Management, and related duties.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assisting the Supervisor of High School Reading/English Language Arts in creating and implementing systemic programs of staff development in all aspects of the Reading/English Language Arts program for the 9 - 12 teaching staff, administrators, and other departments supporting Reading/English Language Arts instruction;
• Provide systemic, area and school-level workshops, consultation, and technical assistance on curriculum, content, and resources;
• Write curriculum, updates, and other documents relevant to the functions of the High School Reading/English Language Arts Office;
• Provide formal teacher observations using the Framework for Teaching Rubric (Descriptors of Practice) and written feedback for informal observations of teachers;
• Monitor data analysis for Performance Management;
• Monitor the implementation of any system-wide interventions for Reading/English Language Arts through trainings, observations, and follow-up meetings; Assist in the planning and implementation of community workshops and partnerships;
• Attending meetings and performing other duties as designated by the Supervisor or Director of Curriculum and Instruction; and
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Thorough knowledge of Reading/English Language Arts pedagogy and current best practices, including current trends in reading research, writing, and comprehension instruction;
• Demonstrated competence in developing and leading staff development sessions for a variety of audiences;
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data and provide alternative solutions to problems;
• Demonstrated leadership and administrative competency;
• Knowledge of state standards and assessment;
• Effective demonstrable knowledge of effective teaching techniques and strategies;
• Proven ability to develop and maintain an excellent working relationship with all levels of employees;
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with attention to detail;
• Broad knowledge of computer skills, to include but not limited to: Excel, Access, Power Point; and
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and effective human relations skills.

Education and/or Experience Requirements:

Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Reading, or Master’s degree in English or Curriculum and Instruction with at least three years of successful teaching experience in Reading/English Language Arts.

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); endorsement in English Grades 7-12, 1-6 and middle school or reading specialist required. Framework for Teaching Certification – preferred; Reading Specialist preferred.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Training of teachers, reading specialists, building administrators and/or central office personnel.

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.