POSITION SUMMARY:
The Instructional Specialist for Social Studies is responsible for assisting Social Studies Teachers (secondary and elementary) with appropriate methodology, current teaching strategies, and content infusion. The position also serves as a resource liaison to the school system through the Social Studies Office.
DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
Assists
in the monitoring of Social Studies programming for elementary, middle and high
school Social Studies curriculum, instruction, and classroom management of
Social Studies materials;
Assists
in the preparation of curriculum documents, correlation of instructional
materials documents, formative assessments and units of study;
Observes
and assists Social Studies educators with classroom instruction, organization
and management on best instructional strategies for all Social Studies content
and providing demonstration lessons, where necessary;
Assists
in the planning and implementation of a professional development program for
teachers of Social Studies, including the designing and teaching of state
approved workshops, summer institutes, after school programs, based on assessed
needs of Social Studies teachers as well as effective instructional strategies;
Serves as
an educational liaison with the district personnel, administrators, parents,
and teachers (responding to social studies-related inquiries, presenting at
various professional development sessions);
Assists
in identifying appropriate materials for procurement by the Social Studies
Office and by schools;
Coordinates
and implements special events in Social Studies including History Day, Debate,
Project Soapbox and Circuit 7 Mock Trial;
Maintains
and manages communication portals of instruction including elementary, middle
and high school Google sites and the PGCPS social studies website;
Attends
meetings and performs other duties as requested by the Supervisor of Social
Studies, Coordinating Supervisor for Curriculum and Instruction, and the
Director of Curriculum and Instruction; and
Performs
other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Ability to maintain proficiency in
instructional technologies;
Experience in the design and/or
implementation of innovative techniques in Social Studies curriculum;
Full knowledge of current trends in
Social Studies education, including demonstrated knowledge of effective
teaching strategies and techniques;
Demonstrated leadership and
administrative competency;
Demonstrated competence in developing
and leading staff development sessions for teachers, principals, and parents;
Extensive knowledge of state and
national standards, benchmarks, and alternative modes of assessment;
Experienced writing curriculum
framework guides for social studies or an integrated curriculum desired;
Experience in writing and managing
grants and budgets preferred;
Ability to work in a team
relationship with other professionals and stakeholders;
Demonstrated skill in effective human
relations and in oral and written communications; and
Digital literacy, including
proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and various learning
management systems.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
Master’s degree
in social studies, curriculum and instruction or administration required. A minimum of five (5) years of Social Studies
teaching experience in middle and/or high school required.
CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Advanced
Professional Certificate; Administrator I certification required; Certification
in secondary Social Studies education required.
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.