Instructional Specialist - Central Westchester

Responsibilities

• Works collaboratively with other instructional specialists and the Associate Superintendent of Teaching and Learning to ensure consistency throughout the region and school system.
• Consults with the regional superintendent and principals to assess instructional needs.
• works with principals and teachers to improve the instructional program at the assigned schools.
• Determines a baseline of current practice and continuous improvement.
• Communicates the core belief that all students can learn and sets high expectations
• Is knowledgeable of research-based best practices and the successful implementation of these practices.
• Develops and implements new and promising practices and/or programs.
• Disaggregates, analyzes, and interprets interim assessment and New York State exam data, and then assists in its interpretation to determine instructional needs and school improvement
• Differentiates support to school staff based on student data and knowledge of research and best practices; offers and uses a repertoire of strategies that address the goal that all students can achieve at high levels, regardless of race/ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, or other factors of diversity.
• Helps to plan, conduct, and/or facilitate meetings or workshops, including conference days, data days, faculty meetings, etc.
• Organizes and disseminates quality instructional methods and materials, and duties such as demonstration teaching and team teaching that would encourage or allow collaboration among staff members.
• Effectively teaches adults, in both a group and individual setting, understands and communicates the implications of the changes needed in today's Catholic education system.
• Keeps abreast of and interprets to the staff, current research, curriculum development, and instructional strategies.
• Models the integration of technology in all curriculum areas and reviews and communicates usage data to better support teachers and leaders in implementation of digital curricular programs.
• Contribute to the management and direction of the external coaches including school assignments, goal settings, workshop development, etc.

Core Competencies

• Gains cooperation through discussion and persuasion.
• Communicates effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with those contacted during work.
• Data analysis skills to: Analyze and interpret data, Make suggestions for improving the performance described by the data
• Leadership skills to: Work with the principals and other leaders at each site, Promote confidence in those who will implement the suggestions developed from the data, Create a change process (change is a process, not an event)
• Organizational skills to: Develop strategies and calendars to accomplish pivot points, Set and reach benchmark dates/progress, Use assessment strategies that go beyond pencil and paper and standardized tests
• Communication skills to: Elicit perceptions of teachers re: needs analysis, Promote a sense of staff efficacy about the "do-ability" of the improvement plan (and staff role in accomplishing the plan), Promote collaboration and collegiality among teachers and leaders, Develop a method for regional agreement for improvement topics (Professional Learning Communities)
• Curriculum development skills to: Promote understanding of the core curriculum, Provide direction for staff developing its expertise in applying the core, Use high-yield strategies
• Evaluation skills to: Monitor transfer of skills from presentations to classroom, Provide (use) rubrics to examine progress

Education, Experience, and Skills

• Bachelor's degree required. Master's degree preferred
• Minimum of 5 years teaching experience
• Experience working with the Next Generation Learning Standards preferred
• Experience teaching in a technology-enriched environment
• Experience designing and delivering professional development
• Experienced successful classroom management
• Valid teaching certificate preferred
• Evidence of professional growth
• Strong references from current administrator
• Successful use of instructional strategies with diverse student populations

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Physically capable of climbing stairs and walking during periodic school visits

Pay

Compensation range for this position is: $72,000 - $82,000 annually.