| SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF CLASSIFICATION: Under the direction of the Department of Professional Learning, the instructional specialist provides a range of supports to offices, teams, and supervisors to facilitate and ensure appropriate professional learning is provided to central services and school staff to advance system-wide goals, priorities, and initiatives. The specialist engages central office and school-based office leaders to determine professional development needs; develops and shares appropriate instructional materials; and coaches to leaders in providing professional learning and coaching to leaders. Supports and guides leaders so they can more effectively build effective teams, facilitate effective meetings, project plan, manage change, coach, design and delivery of professional learning, including measuring its impact, and problem-solving/decision-making processes.
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.) Required to attend school meetings, programs and activities outside the instructional day as mandated by the MCEA agreement.
|
|
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Strong instructional leadership with the ability to design, develop, conduct, and/or facilitate adult learning, for both in-person and online platforms. Demonstrated best practices in various leadership methods and the ability to model effective professional learning strategies with skills for adult learners. Ability to analyze data and assist central services leaders in incorporating analysis into office improvement. Thorough knowledge of MCPS strategic plan, initiatives as well as how they align to the Maryland Blueprint for Education. Knowledge of adult learning theory, effective differentiation, and culturally relevant practices. Strong and engaging skills as a facilitator and coach. Outstanding communication, interpersonal, organizational, problem-solving, presentation, and leadership skills. Ability to understand and apply the six performance standards established for the MCPS Teacher Professional Growth System (TPGS). |
|
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE: Master's degree or equivalency with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with an emphasis on teaching, school leadership, curriculum, and/or instruction, assessment/ evaluation, organizational learning, professional development, administration, and supervision. Extensive experience in developing, coordinating, and conducting equity centered professional learning activities. Experience in a leadership role supporting school system goals and initiatives. Demonstrated experience planning and delivering professional development for adult learners, both face-to-face and online. 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: Current Maryland state standard and advanced professional certificate in a teaching area required. Meets Maryland State certification requirements for elementary or secondary education. Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred. |
|
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Responsible for project management including the modeling, facilitation and the design of effective professional learning that leads to measurable impact.Develops timelines and includes appropriate stakeholders for Department of Professional Learning projects.Designs and facilitates effective meetings for teams and departments.Develops materials and considers logistical aspects related to the development and delivery of facilitation guides for various topics.Facilitates problem-solving/decision-making processes for staff.Develops plans for both face-to-face and online professional development based on adult learner theory and knowledge of MCPS goals, priorities, and initiatives.Supports the director in projects and studies related to central services and school support and improvement, job-embedded professional learning, and other MCPS initiatives.Collaborates with other offices and teams to support and provide professional learning related to system initiatives.Collects and analyzes data to evaluate the effectiveness of professional learning supports provided and adjusts work according to outcomes.Reviews recent literature and research studies and reports, evaluates findings, and suggests changes or modifications to improve existing programs within central services.Researches, writes, edits, and reviews correspondence and prepares reports.Performs related work and other duties as required. |
