] Office of Human Resources - Montgomery County Public Schools

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT → CLASSIFICATION → TEACHER, MS CONTENT SPECIALIST

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Teacher, MS Content Specialist

MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS CLASS DESCRIPTION
OFFICIAL TITLE: Content Specialist CODE: 1028 SQ/OQ: Not Applicable
WORKING TITLE: Teacher, MS Content Specialist GRADE: BD MONTHS: 10
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF CLASSIFICATION: The Middle School Content Specialist has the responsibility for his/her department and builds the capacity of the department to analyze achievement data for improved instruction. The Middle School content specialist ensures that accelerated and enriched instruction and intervention support is available for all students. The Middle School content specialist contributes to building and sustaining a community of learners. The Middle School content specialist is an exemplary teacher and has demonstrated success in increasing student achievement. The content specialist works directly with adults to support the implementation of the instructional program and observe teachers to assist them in improving teaching and learning. He/she focuses on coordination of the instructional program and collaboration among teachers within departments and across teams. The content specialist needs to be certified in his/her content areas. For the Arts/PE content specialist, the person needs to be certified in one of these areas. In order to support these additional responsibilities, he/she is provided with additional time and compensation.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION STANDARDS
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Thorough knowledge of curriculum, assessment and instruction. Understanding of the middle school child. Ability to work well with students, teachers, and administrators. Exemplary teaching skills. Outstanding, facilitation, organizational and supervisory skills. Skill in providing professional development to teachers. Skill in providing feedback to teachers about their teaching. Strong technology skills. Strong skills in collecting and analyzing formative and summative data sources. Excellent oral and written communication and collaboration skills. : This position requires the knowledge and application of the six performance standards that have been established for the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Teacher Professional Growth System (TPGS).
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE: Holds, from an accredited institution, a master's degree or its equivalent in semester hours of credit or is within one year of fulfilling this requirement. Completion of OAT 1 by the beginning of the second year of the assignment and OAT 2 by the end of the second year in assignment. Has had a minimum of three years of outstanding teaching experience with one year in MCPS preferred. Has had appropriate middle school teaching experience within subject fields of the department. Demonstrates skill in working effectively with people. 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. SELECTION AND CONTINUANCE OF SERVICE:Shall be selected by the principal and a team that will include teachers from the content department. (When the career lattice is implemented, content specialists will have to achieve lead teacher status). EVALUATION:Will be evaluated using the standards of Teacher Professional Growth System.
CERTIFICATE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: Meets the Maryland State Department of Education certification requirements for the appropriate content area.
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.
OVERTIME ELIGIBLE: No

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Serves as the school content instructional leader:

Completes formal classroom observations as a basis for professional growth which contributes to the performance evaluation of the teachers in the department. Meets with content teachers and reviews observation write-ups.

Provides feedback to teachers in instruction through peer observation and reflection

Supports the effective use of technology in the classroom, including integration of technology into instruction.

Models instructional strategies and the implementation of the curriculum in classes and provides opportunities to engage in reflective discourse.

Leads the content department to ensure that the instructional program is being implemented with fidelity:
o Meets routinely with the department
o Ensures that notes and information are disseminated to all staff
o Arranges for collaboration between and across grade levels
o Facilitates course alike planning sessions to focus on student achievement data and instructional implications
o Supports the development of a professional learning community within the department and the school

Participates in the school leadership team in planning a school-wide instructional and assessment program that provides consistency, continuity, and varied approaches to curriculum implementation appropriate for the strengths and needs of students:
o Monitors implementation of grading and reporting procedures
o Assists with hiring of new teachers
o Assists in development of master schedule

As a member of the school leadership team, implements the school improvement plan with measurable benchmarks that will:
o Increase teacher knowledge of the content, curriculum, assessment and effective instructional strategies
o Increase student participation, particularly African American and Hispanic student participation, in advanced courses
o Provide instructional, professional for improvement of student achievement in advanced courses
o Enhance partnerships with parents to support student achievement

Attends appropriate central office and school meetings, works with content supervisors and shares information with content/subject field teachers

Provides assistance and support to substitute teachers (checks emergency plans, etc.)

Works with the administration, school finance staff, team leaders, and teachers to order and distribute instructional materials pertaining to the department budget

Promotes Success for Every Student:

Advocates for student access and success in advanced courses and programs by:

o Analyzing data to ensure all students receive appropriate challenging instruction
o Analyzing performance data in courses to identify students in need of support
o Assists counselors, students, and teachers in determining the most appropriate placement for students.

Analyzes departmental data to help teachers improve areas of instruction.

Works closely with the Literacy Coach to integrate literacy skills in the content area.

Participates in the design, implementation and monitoring of the local school improvement plan with departments

Provides strategies and implements programs and practices for improving student engagement and school climate.

Participates, as needed, in student/teacher, parent/teacher conferences and communication

Assists in the coordination of magnet and special program applications and recommendations

Promotes professionalism and continuous professional development:

Arranges for collaboration between content area teachers including ESOL and Special Education Teachers within the department and across grade levels

Provides coaching, mentoring and content support specific to the professional development of content teachers.

Monitors grading and reporting to ensure consistency between teachers within the departments.

Collaborates with school leaders and central office staff and represents content area needs of the school

Participates in the planning and implementation of staff development activities.

Dialogues with mentors and consulting teachers assigned to teachers within the department when appropriate

Class Established: 3/2007
Date(s) Revised: 2/2009
Last Reviewed:

This description may be changed at any time.