FY27: Content Specialist, Science, Forest Oak MS, 1.0 FTE

About the Role

The Middle School Content Specialist is responsible for leading their department and building the capacity of teachers to analyze achievement data for improved instruction. The specialist ensures accelerated, enriched instruction and intervention support are available for all students, contributes to a community of learners, and serves as an exemplary teacher with a demonstrated record of increasing student achievement.

The Science Content Specialist at Forest Oak Middle School will facilitate weekly PLCs, coach teachers through modeling and feedback cycles, monitor MISA and district assessment data, and partner with the leadership team to strengthen Tier 1 science instruction for all students, including emergent multilingual learners and students with IEPs. The ideal candidate demonstrates deep content knowledge, a commitment to equity-centered practice, and a track record of improving student outcomes. National Board Certification is valued.

Responsibilities

• Lead and build the capacity of the department to analyze achievement data for improved instruction.
• Ensure accelerated and enriched instruction and intervention support are available for all students.
• Contribute to building and sustaining a community of learners.
• Support the implementation of the instructional program and observe teachers to assist them in improving teaching and learning.
• Coordinate the instructional program and foster collaboration among teachers within departments and across teams.
• Facilitate weekly PLCs and coach teachers through modeling and feedback cycles.
• Monitor MISA and district assessment data to inform instruction.
• Partner with the leadership team to strengthen Tier 1 science instruction for all students, including emergent multilingual learners and students with IEPs.
• Attend school meetings, programs, and activities outside the instructional day as mandated by the MCEA agreement.

Requirements

• Certification in the relevant content area (Science for this role). For Arts/PE, certification in one of these areas is required.
• Thorough knowledge of curriculum, assessment, and instruction.
• Understanding of the middle school child.
• Ability to work well with students, teachers, and administrators.
• Exemplary teaching, facilitation, organizational, and supervisory skills.
• Skill in providing professional development and feedback to teachers about their teaching.
• Strong technology skills and ability to collect and analyze formative and summative data sources.
• Excellent oral and written communication and collaboration skills.
• Knowledge and application of the six performance standards established for the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Teacher Professional Growth System (TPGS).

Qualifications

• Holds, or is within one year of completing, a master’s degree or its equivalent in semester hours from an accredited institution.
• Completion of OAT 1 by the beginning of the second year of the assignment and OAT 2 by the end of the second year.
• A minimum of three years of outstanding teaching experience, with one year in MCPS preferred.
• Appropriate middle school teaching experience within the subject fields of the department.
• Demonstrated skill in working effectively with people.
• Meets Maryland State Department of Education certification requirements for the appropriate content area.

Other combinations of applicable education, training, and experience which provide the necessary knowledge, abilities, and skills may be considered.

Selection and Evaluation

• Selected by the principal and a team that includes teachers from the content department.
• Evaluated using the standards of the Teacher Professional Growth System.
• When the career lattice is implemented, content specialists will need to achieve lead teacher status.

Schedule

Full-time, 10-month position (working months). Day shift.

Location

Forest Oak Middle School, a Title 1 Community School in Gaithersburg serving Grades 6 to 8.