SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF CLASSIFICATION:
Under the supervision of the Division of Teaching and Learning, the Elementary English Language Arts Instructional Specialist serves schools directly as part of a Cross-Functional Team, supporting teachers and school administrators in the delivery of high-quality literacy instruction. As a core member of a cross-functional team, the instructional specialist spends 80% of their time working in the field, providing direct service and support to schools. The cross-functional team model is designed to ensure coordinated, responsive, and integrated support, allowing schools to receive real-time coaching, resources, and professional development tailored to their unique needs. Collaboration, adaptability, and responsiveness are essential, as the specialist works alongside other central office staff to align instructional support with school improvement goals.ACCOUNTABILITY & SUPERVISION:The instructional specialist is accountable to the School Leadership Director but is supervised and evaluated by a subject-matter expert supervisor. This structure ensures alignment between school-based priorities and system-wide instructional initiatives, fostering a collaborative and coordinated approach to improving ELA instruction.
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF CLASSIFICATION:
Under the supervision of the Division of Teaching and Learning, the Elementary English Language Arts Instructional Specialist serves schools directly as part of a Cross-Functional Team, supporting teachers and school administrators in the delivery of high-quality literacy instruction. As a core member of a cross-functional team, the instructional specialist spends 80% of their time working in the field, providing direct service and support to schools. The cross-functional team model is designed to ensure coordinated, responsive, and integrated support, allowing schools to receive real-time coaching, resources, and professional development tailored to their unique needs. Collaboration, adaptability, and responsiveness are essential, as the specialist works alongside other central office staff to align instructional support with school improvement goals.ACCOUNTABILITY & SUPERVISION:The instructional specialist is accountable to the School Leadership Director but is supervised and evaluated by a subject-matter expert supervisor. This structure ensures alignment between school-based priorities and system-wide instructional initiatives, fostering a collaborative and coordinated approach to improving ELA instruction.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Thorough knowledge and experience in the implementation of the English Language Arts curriculum and the development and delivery of professional development to support all learners. Thorough knowledge of structured literacy and the critical components and principles of effective literacy instruction. Thorough knowledge of foundational concepts in the development of oral and written language. Ability to coach, model, and build the knowledge and skills of elementary teachers and leadersin the delivery of evidence-based literacy instruction through a Multi-Tiered System of Supports framework.Thorough knowledge of effective instructional practices for all types of learners, especially students with disabilities, Emergent Multilingual Learners (EMLs), and highly able learners. Thorough knowledge of Universal Design for Learning, effective differentiation, equitable practices, and the role of culturally relevant curriculum development and implementation. Excellent organizational and management skills. Excellent skills in collecting, analyzing, and using data to support instructional decisions for students.Ability to support schools in the collection, interpretation, and analysis of multiple sources of data to identify targeted needs of students in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension and align appropriate literacy instruction. Ability to collaborate with school leaders and school-based teams to schedule, implement, and monitor progress on a continuum of reading instruction that address a varied range of reading needs within a school building.Strong collaboration and coaching skills, working effectively with principals, leaders, teachers, and central office staff to support school improvement initiatives and high-quality literacy instruction. Exceptional organizational, communication (oral and written), time management, project management, and human relations skills. Strong presentation and facilitation skills, with the ability to lead professional learning experiences for diverse audiences. Proficiency in using multiple data platforms, Google Suite, Microsoft Suite, Canvas, and other MCPS technology platforms used for collaboration, coaching, and instructional design.
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE:
Master's degree or equivalency from an accredited college or university with courses in curriculum development, reading acquisition, early childhood, special education, assessment/evaluation, administration and supervision, reading specialist, staff development, English Language Development (ELD), or accelerated and enriched instruction. Training and/or certification in Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) preferred. Training and experience in delivering components of structured literacy. Five years of successful experience as an elementary classroom teacher. Elementary teaching and school leadership experiences preferred. Extensive experiences in coaching and/or providing professional learning to develop a literacy program to meet the needs of all students. Successful experience developing and supporting curriculum implementation. Other combinations of applicable education, training, and experience, which provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position, may be considered.CERTIFICATE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: Meets Maryland State certification requirements as an elementary or middle school teacher, ELD or special education teacher, reading specialist, or any of the other certification areas in the elementary curriculum.