DISTRICT SUPPORT SPECIALIST, Wheelock College of Education & Human Development

About the role

The Professional Learning and District Support Specialist supports a collaborative partnership between Boston University and Somerville Public Schools (SPS) to advance high-quality elementary (K-5) science instruction, with a focus on multilingual learners. This role is responsible for designing, coordinating, and implementing professional learning opportunities, as well as, facilitating collaboration, coaching, and co-teaching initiatives with district leaders and university researchers.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with BU researchers, SPS district leaders, and other stakeholders to support project goals and alignment across initiatives.
• Collaboratively design systems and structures to sustain professional learning in science for K-5 teachers, language specialists, instructional coaches, and administrators.
• Collaboratively develop, pilot, and implement professional learning opportunities to expand the capacity of instructional coaches and instructional leaders in elementary science, with an emphasis on language in and for science learning.
• Support instructional coaches and instructional leaders in implementing SPS's vision for high-quality science instruction through collaboration, consultation, and resource development.
• Contribute to project documentation, communication, and continuous improvement efforts across the BUSPS partnership.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required (master's degree in education or related field preferred).
• Minimum of 5 years of teaching experience in elementary or middle school, including science instruction.
• Experience designing and delivering professional learning.
• Strong collaboration, communication, facilitation, and project coordination skills.
• Knowledge of high-quality science instruction practices and instructional strategies for multilingual learners.
• Familiarity with the processes of K-5 curriculum development and alignment.

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree required (master's degree in education or related field preferred).
• Minimum of 5 years of teaching experience in elementary or middle school, including science instruction.
• Experience designing and delivering professional learning.
• Strong collaboration, communication, facilitation, and project coordination skills.
• Knowledge of high-quality science instruction practices and instructional strategies for multilingual learners.
• Familiarity with the processes of K-5 curriculum development and alignment.

Skills

• Experience as an instructional coach, department head, or mentor teacher.
• Experience working in urban school districts or similar contexts.
• Experience collaborating with research-practice partnerships.

Benefits

Compensation: The salary for this position is based on a 50% FTE of a base salary of $80,000 in Year 1 (prorated to $40,000). Final compensation may vary based on experience, qualifications, and scope of responsibilities.

Pay

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, training and internal pay comparison.

Schedule

This is a part-time, 50% FTE position (approximately 20 hours per week). The role will follow a hybrid work model, including significant weekly time on-site Somerville Public Schools and Boston University. Travel between partner sites is required. Occasional evening or weekend hours may be necessary to support professional learning sessions or partnership activities.