Specialist III – Health and Wellness Curriculum

Reports to: Director II Health & Physical Education. Pay Grade: 204. Duty Days: 219. FLSA Status: Exempt. This is a grant-funded position contingent on availability of funds.

About the Role

The Specialist coordinates Health Education curriculum, instruction, assessment, local wellness programming, and professional learning in alignment with the district's pillars, instructional framework, and commitment to academic excellence. This role supports campuses, teachers, principals, and district staff in implementing a rigorous, standards-aligned Health and Physical Education program, ensuring the use of high-quality instructional materials (HQIM), strong lesson design, and evidence-based instructional practices.

Ensures curriculum, instruction, and assessment alignment to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Division of Adolescent & School Health (DASH) grant-funded program focused on reducing HIV, STD, teen pregnancy, and related risk behaviors among adolescents. Provides ongoing support through effective coaching and mentoring practices that include co-teaching and lesson modeling for novice and experienced teachers.

Responsibilities

• Designs and adapts instructional planning calendars anchored in high-quality instructional materials (HQIM), and writes lessons for core programs, ensuring alignment to the FWISD Instructional Framework and effective teacher internalization and delivery.
• Identifies, evaluates, and supports the adoption and integration of effective instructional resources into the curriculum.
• Contributes to the development of districtwide professional learning plans based on data trends and district initiatives.
• Builds the capacity of campus administrators and classroom teachers in collaboration with School Leadership to implement HQIM with fidelity, strong lesson delivery, and effective teacher internalization.
• Coordinates and delivers instructional support, assessment, and professional learning for all stakeholders.
• Designs, delivers, and supports professional learning aligned to instructional priorities and identified needs.
• Develops curriculum and supervises writing and revisions for Health Education grades K-12.
• Develops and supervises the writing of curriculum-based assessments, lesson plans, and unit guides.
• Facilitates and designs training utilizing evidence-based, effective, and innovative instructional practices.
• Designs, provides, and trains others to deliver quality professional development for district personnel, including school staff, School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) members, and administrators during regular and after-school hours, including some Saturdays.
• Works with teachers and employs effective coaching, mentoring, co-teaching, and instructional modeling practices to support high-quality instruction and professional growth.
• Collaborates with campus administrators to support best practices in Health Education, Whole School Whole Community Whole Child (WSCC), and Coordinated School Health (CSH) programming.
• Collaborates with campus and district leaders, Student Support Services personnel (including nurses, intervention specialists, and counselors), as well as parent and community health partners to strengthen staff capacity, increase student access to health programs and services, and support student health.
• Supports student health initiatives through collaboration with student-led organizations and sponsors to promote safe and supportive learning environments.
• Maintains knowledge of research, developments, and best practices related to Health Education, including the TEKS, National Health Education Standards, Whole School Whole Community Whole Child (WSCC) Model, and Coordinated School Health.
• Stays current on curricular, instructional, and assessment-related evidence-based and effective practices.
• Provides wellness learning opportunities for school, family, and community groups.
• Applies effective leadership skills to facilitate growth and continuous improvement within Health Education programming and services.
• Complies with federal time and effort reporting requirements and grant-related expectations.
• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and frequent interruptions.
• Performs all job-related duties as assigned and in accordance with Board rules, policies, and regulations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Health Education or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Valid Texas Teaching Certificate in Health preferred.
• Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of teaching experience in content area required.
• Experience designing, internalizing, and/or delivering curriculum and lessons aligned to high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) and facilitating professional learning that drives strong teacher internalization and implementation preferred.
• Experience with a diverse student population, especially in a large multicultural urban district preferred.
• Experience as an instructional coach, department head, team lead, grade level-lead, lead content teacher, or teacher leader with a track record of significantly increasing student achievement preferred.

Skills

• Knowledge of current teaching methods and pedagogy in Health Education, including differentiation of instruction based on student learning differences.
• Knowledge of health and wellness promotion.
• Knowledge of assessment strategies and assessment construction.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws regarding education and students.
• Skill in designing, planning, and delivering professional development activities.
• Skill in planning and providing professional learning and lesson planning support with multiple content-area teachers.
• Skill in interpersonal relationships, including the use of tact, patience, and courtesy.
• Ability to incorporate active listening when communicating.
• Ability to conceptualize and translate complex issues into workable action plans.
• Ability to consider academic, social, and emotional needs of students when making decisions regarding academic settings and accommodations.
• Ability to conduct classroom observations and determine appropriate professional learning support for teachers and staff.
• Ability to use software applications to access databases, create spreadsheets, and analyze data.
• Ability to operate with a high level of urgency, precision, and accountability in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.
• Ability to anticipate needs, identify risks, and proactively address issues to ensure smooth and effective division operations.
• Ability to build and maintain strong working relationships that support collaboration, trust, and effective execution across Curriculum & Instruction departments.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines while maintaining accuracy, responsiveness, and attention to detail.
• Ability to engage in continuous professional learning and adapt to evolving operational demands and district priorities.

Pay

Salary Range: $73,781 - $88,892

Schedule

• Duty Days: 219
• Demonstrates flexibility in scheduling and availability, including extended or adjusted work hours during peak operational periods and critical deadlines, to ensure timely and high-quality execution of responsibilities.
• May require occasional irregular and/or prolonged hours, including some Saturdays.

Work Environment

• Works in an office setting; may require occasional travel to school district buildings and professional meetings.
• Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment, including computer and peripherals.
• Posture: Prolonged sitting; occasional stooping, squatting, kneeling, bending, pushing/pulling, and twisting.
• Motion: Frequent repetitive hand motions, including keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching.
• Lifting: Frequent light lifting and carrying (less than 10 pounds); occasionally up to 35 pounds.
• Mental Demands: Maintains emotional control under stress; works with frequent interruptions.