POSITION SUMMARY:
Working closely with the Director, the Instructional Specialist provides leadership to the school in the development of curricula, instructional techniques, and faculty development within the content area. The specialist serves as a liaison with faculty, staff, students and administrative personnel on all matters relating to ESOL. The role of the Instructional Specialist is essential to the team's overall effort to raise student achievement and school performance.
DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
Provides administrative support to all ESOL teachers in the areas of curriculum, instruction, and classroom management;
Designs, implements, and evaluates system-wide instructional program for English language learners;
Develops, organizes, and conducts district, regional, and school-based professional development on the implementation of ESOL and content-area curricula, best practices of teaching English language learners, Response to Intervention, and PGCPS ESOL instructional models;
Develops and revises curriculum guides aligned to the Maryland State Department of Education State Curriculum and English Language Proficiency State Curriculum;
Provides leadership and support to schools with the implementation of district and state mandated instructional initiatives;
Supervises, observes, and formally evaluates central office staff and school-based teachers, including Framework For Teaching observations;
Reviews, revises, and implements Goal 2 of the district Master Plan;
Assists ESOL Supervisor in the management of Title III grant activities and oversees projects funded under the Title III grant;
Leads team of ESOL resource specialists and teacher coaches in assisting teachers of English language learners;
Develops, organizes, and leads a team to conduct parent workshops and family academies to support the families of English Language Learners;
Evaluates and purchases instructional materials, textbooks, software and media;
Collaborates with other departments to provide necessary services to international students;
Participates in the interview process for teachers and central office staff; and
Performs other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Minimum five years of teaching ESOL students required;
Expertise in subject area - content and pedagogy;
Ability to work cooperatively with students, staff, parents, and community;
Demonstrated exemplary classroom practice as well as the ability to present demonstration lessons to classes and staff;
Ability to work collaboratively to improve instruction using research-based approaches;
Demonstrated competence in developing and leading staff development sessions for teachers, principals, and parents;
Knowledge of state standards and alternative modes of assessment;
Experience in writing curriculum framework guides or an integrated curriculum desired for ESOL;
Experience in writing and managing grant budgets desired;
Ability to analyze student performance and participation data;
Knowledge of state standards, benchmarks and alternative assessment, PreK-12;
Extensive expertise in the design, implementation, and evaluation of professional development programs and initiatives;
Understanding and expertise in implementing accommodations and modifications;
Effective planning and organization skills, as well as the ability to multi-task and meet deadlines;
Experience working with computers, instructional and business technology; and
Demonstrated skill in effective human relations and in oral and written communications.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
Master's Degree in Education or related field from an accredited college or university; emphasis in ESOL instruction and course work in curriculum development preferred.
CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Advanced Professional Certificate in ESOL K-12 and Administrator I.
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.