] Office of Human Resources - Montgomery County Public Schools

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT → CLASSIFICATION → INSTRUCTIONAL SPECIALIST, RESTORATIVE JUSTICE/MINDFULNESS

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Instructional Specialist, Restorative Justice/Mindfulness

MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS CLASS DESCRIPTION
OFFICIAL TITLE: Instructional Spec CODE: 0833 SQ/OQ: Not Applicable
WORKING TITLE: Instructional Specialist, Restorative Justice/Mindfulness GRADE: BD MONTHS: 12
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF CLASSIFICATION: Under the direction of the director of Student Well-Being and Achievement, the instructional specialist facilitates, supports, and monitors the implementation of the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) mindfulness program. The mindfulness specialist will serve to train staff members to implement mindfulness services, create sustainable in-school programs, and oversee continued professional development on mindfulness in identified schools, with a direct charge to decrease the disproportionate suspension rates for students with special needs. The Mindfulness specialist will coordinate in-house stipend staff members or community volunteers at each designated school, responsible to lead the multiple mindfulness programs. The mindfulness specialist will coordinate with the restorative justice program to ensure that the mindfulness program supports and reinforces the principles of restorative justice and the program being implemented in schools. Coordinates services and programs for students with the student well-being and achievement staff. Serves as a liaison between Student Well-Being and Achievement to community organizations and other MCPS offices, departments and units to ensure students, families, and school communities receive the necessary resources and support related to mindfulness to ensure student academic success and social-emotional wellness.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION STANDARDS
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Thorough knowledge of MCPS policies and regulations and strategic priorities. Knowledge of restorative justice, positive behavioral intervention strategies, mindfulness practices with special attention to de-escalation strategies, re-entry into learning environments, student engagement, and behavior management protocols. Thorough knowledge of anti-racism curriculum, cultural proficiency and cultural relevance of curriculum. Experience working with diverse group of students in setting related to mindfulness and restorative justice. Outstanding facilitation, organizational technological and management skills required. Ability to exercise independent initiative to complete assignments. Excellent oral and written communication skills; positive human relations skills; strong problem-solving skills. Ability to articulate the office and department goals and objectives of restorative justice, positive behavioral interventions and supports, and mindfulness practices; ensuring that they align with the MCPS strategic priorities. Thorough knowledge of Montgomery county agencies and community organizations. Ability to plan, lead and support training activities. Ability to plan and implement workshops, adult learning and professional development opportunities for small and large groups. Demonstrated skill as an effective mentor to administrators, teachers, and student leaders.
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE: Masters degree from an accredited college or university with emphasis in professional development support and assistance, human growth and development, or educational program and policy development. Three years or more experience as a school administrator or teacher required. Demonstrated leadership experience developing, implementing and evaluating restorative justice and mindfulness programs, and planning and conducting training and/or professional development. Demonstrated experience leading, mentoring, coaching and nurturing administrators, teachers, and student leaders. Other combinations of applicable education, training, and experience which provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered.
CERTIFICATE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: Holds a current Maryland state standard and advanced professional certificate in a teaching area or Administrator I.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: (Special requirements such as lifting heavy objects and frequent climbing.) As required by the duties and responsibilities of the job.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: (Frequent overtime or night work required, etc.) As required by the duties and responsibilities of the job.
OVERTIME ELIGIBLE: No

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Models effective leadership practices, including articulating a vision for effective instruction, utilizing time management strategies, prioritizing work, attending to one¿s own professional growth through reflection and critical analysis of practice.

Facilitates, coaches and monitors a nexus between implementing restorative justice practices and change in school culture, the ability to reengage students, and increased student performance.

Monitors school performance and analyzes student performance; works with cross-functional teams to assure effective and efficient implementation of the continuum of restorative practices including mindfulness and addresses specific student and school needs.

Coordinates, facilitates and supports school personnel in data collection, assessment, and analysis of formal and informal data points for use in targeting and monitoring the effectiveness of restorative justice and mindfulness intervention programs.

Promotes mindfulness and restorative justice and restorative practice opportunities for a diverse student populations to include but not limited to students of various cultural backgrounds, students experiencing poverty, students who identify as LGBTQIA+, and students who have experienced trauma to ensure social-emotional well-being and academic success.

Serves as lead support for a group of schools in their implementation process for a mndfulness program.

Conducts planning events with administrators and teachers to assist them in establishing and meeting local and district strategic priorities through meetings and providing information, feedback and support.

Helps to design and lead professional learning opportunities for principals and school leadership teams to foster change in adult practice and accelerate student learning and performance as an outcome of restorative justice and mindfulness practice implementation.

Collaborates with community-based organizations, agencies of county government and other partners in implementation of the continuum of mindfulness and restorative practices.

Reviews the mindfulness program regularly, and plans for and carries out improvements.

Conducts school site visits, and shares information with administrators, and other school-based staff as appropriate.

Disseminates information and provides training for students, parents, and others related to restorative justice and mindfulness practices.
Develops reports and other communications to provide information, data, and data analysis related to both the effectiveness of the mindfulness program, and its impact on student outcomes.

Assists and supports the continued implementation of partnerships to promote student voice, restorative justice and mindfulness practices for all student with a focus on students disproportionately affected by disciplinary consequences.

Assists with increasing the efficacy and fidelity of restorative justice and mindfulness interventions in schools where there is evidence of disproportionality in suspensions with a particular focus on disproportionality of students with disabilities.

Serves on MCPS, county, and state committees and workgroups, as assigned. Coordinates conferences, meetings and other professional development opportunities for administrators, teachers, students, parents and other audiences.

Serves as an informational liaison relative to schools and the community on the implementation of restorative practices.
Assists in updating and reviewing the MCPS Restorative Justice program website and social media presence.

Understands and applies the six performance standards established for the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Teacher Professional Growth System (TPGS).

Performs related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.
Class Established: 8/2020
Date(s) Revised:
Last Reviewed:

This description may be changed at any time.