Under the direction of the Coordinating Supervisor, the Instructional Specialist - Instructional Supports, Assessment and Accountability will be responsible for developing, implementing and managing the professional learning experiences for all special education employee groups. The incumbent of this position will be tasked with working and collaborating with the offices of Curriculum and Instruction and Professional Learning & Leadership to ensure special education is at the forefront of educational and professional learning practices in order to facilitate individual, school-wide and district-wide improvements for the purpose of increasing student achievement.
>Develops the content for, implements and manages the professional learning and special education trainings within the district around special education processes, compliance and instructional best practices, utilizing the system’s online learning management platform(s);
Develops a plan for and provides coaching, mentoring, training and resource support for the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) across the district;
Collaborates with the Department of Special Education leadership on the development, implementation, progress monitoring and report writing of state and other grant applications;
Collaborates with the offices of Curriculum & Instruction and Professional Learning & Leadership, other district offices and the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) to ensure special education is at the forefront of educational and professional learning practices in order to facilitate individual, school-wide and district-wide improvements for the purpose of increasing student achievement;
Collects and analyzes data to indicate trends, patterns and implications of special education related areas in order to convey through presentations and special reports; creates and conducts presentations and special reports;
Keeps abreast of the latest research, best practices, developments and techniques in the delivery of special education instruction;
Conducts instructional walk-throughs at assigned schools and informal and formal classroom observations of special education educators; and
Performs other duties as assigned.
Knowledge of state standards, special education regulations, policies and procedures, including specially designed instruction to support special education and general education teachers across the K-12 continuum;
Knowledge of curriculum documents and text resources, classroom materials, intervention implementation and classroom management for all students with disabilities;
Knowledge of high leverage practices and evidence-based instructional resources/strategies to support the implementation of specially designed instruction for students with disabilities;
Knowledge of the Standards for Professional Learning outlining the characteristics of professional learning that leads to effective teaching practices, supportive leadership and improved student results;
Knowledge of culturally responsive teaching practices and how these practices are incorporated into the review of curriculum, instructional resources and textbook adoptions for students with disabilities;
Possesses knowledge and skills of an effective trainer, coach and mentor in best practices in education;
Possesses excellent planning, organization, communications (oral and written) and human relations skills;
Possesses proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, etc.), Google Suite and skilled using the internet for work related research;
Ability to work in partnership with others to achieve a common goal and/or objective; builds rapport and cooperative relationships with others and actively participates as a member of the team to move the team toward problem solving as needed in order to achieve set goals; and
Ability to organize and prioritize within a fast paced, rigorous environment and to analyze issues, shift priorities and copy with ambiguity.
Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in general education, special education or a related field required. A minimum of five (5) years of successful teaching experience in special education required.
Advanced Professional Certificate with Special Education and Administrator I endorsements required.
>No direct supervisory responsibilities.
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.
The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.
None.
