ROLE AND PURPOSE:

• The primary role of the Instructional Specialist - Social Studies (K-12) is to work directly with teachers and the campus leadership team to improve social studies instruction by working with the Social Studies Coordinator, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, District departments, and other curriculum and instruction staff to advance the overall District K-12 social studies program, including curriculum design, assessment development, campus implementation support, professional learning, and program management.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Certification:

• Valid Texas teacher's certificate with specialization in social studies (preferred)
• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution (required)
• Master's Degree from an accredited institution (preferred)
• Bilingual - Spanish, preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of five years of successful classroom teaching experience with a specialization in social studies
• Experience modeling effective instruction, and curriculum and assessment development

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Instructional Management

• Applies knowledge of state standards, research, and evidence based instructional practices into the planning and design of curriculum, instruction, and assessments.
• Designs and facilitates effective professional learning to support the overall implementation of the curriculum, and effective teaching strategies including job-embedded coaching, modeling, and demonstration teaching.
• Assists department in designing, developing, implementing and evaluating new instructional resources, tools, and supplemental materials.
• Incorporates the use of technology tools and applications into curriculum content and professional learning.

School/Organizational Climate

• Attends and participates in Academic Services, department, and other meetings and committees as required.
• Displays high visibility and effective communication skills on campuses to support, monitor, and observe curriculum delivery, instructional practices, and professional learning implementation.
• Exemplifies effective problem-solving methods that are customer-service oriented.
• Utilizes excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Displays a strong ability to work independently as a self-starter with excellent time management skills.
• Participates as an effective team member who contributes to District, department, team, and individual goals.

School/Organizational Improvement

• Demonstrates success in improving student achievement as measured by local and state assessment results, and other district performance criteria.
• Works in partnership with the K-12 social studies coordinator, director of curriculum and instruction, District departments, and other curriculum and instruction staff to review and analyze multiple sources and types of educator and student data to identify educator-learning needs for improved student performance, and to inform curricular and instructional decisions.
• Recommends policies, guidelines, and practices addressing challenges impeding the initiation, implementation, or institutionalization of system-wide improvements.
• Provides accommodations and modifications for diverse student needs.

Professional Growth and Development

• Seeks, accepts, and responds to coaching and feedback from supervisor, staff, and peers.
• Establishes ongoing goals for professional learning to remain current in innovative and effective practices.
• Identifies new research in area of curriculum, instruction, and assessments to support decisions, and apply new knowledge and skills to improve programming, campus support, and District operations.

Miscellaneous

• Performs other duties as may be assigned by the coordinator or director of curriculum and instruction.
• Travels district-wide and occasional out of-district; prolonged and irregular hours.