Instructional Specialist - Central Westchester

The instructional specialist will provide ongoing development of the instructional programs within the assigned school region and their schools to improve teachers' instructional practices that increase student learning. The instructional specialist also works collaboratively with the principals.

• →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.
• →Performs other duties as assigned which relate to the instructional area of expertise

• 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

• 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

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

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