Academic Specialist Secondary Social Studies

Position: Academic Specialist: 12 Month (Secondary Social Studies)
Title Code:

Specialist:
Academic 12 Month

JOB SUMMARY

Acts as a strategic collaborative member of the Academic team in support of the AACPS Strategic plan throughout the entire school year. The role encompasses all aspects of curriculum, instruction, assessment, professional learning for all stakeholders, analysis of data, and planning and execution of county wide events to ensuring a positive impact on the achievement of all learners. Provides direct support and assistance to schools to ensure instruction is aligned to best practices for all students.

Additional Work Days/Hours

Based on the assignment, the following additional work days and/or hours may be required as needed:

* Ability to work flexible schedules

* Evenings/Nights

* Extended hours

* Outside of normal business hours

* Summer hours

* Weekends

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

* Acts as a strategic and collaborative member of the Academic team to communicate Anne Arundel County Public Schools' philosophy, goals, and expectations of curriculum, instruction, and assessment to school staff and the community.

* Assists teachers and school-based administration with implementation and ongoing enhancement of a comprehensive academic program which engages students in relevant and rigorous coursework aligned to the Maryland State Department of Education Standards.

* Works with school leadership and school teams facilitating collaborative and instructional planning to enhance teacher capacity with curriculum and instruction; enhances communication between school and the office.

* Visits schools to observe instructional practices and curriculum implementation, provides targeted feedback and assists with data driven decisions about planning.

* Leads professional development initiatives for individual teachers and school teams at school and district level meetings to model best instructional practices based on the standards and create a student-centered learning environment.

* Supports the Coordinator in all aspects of the curriculum writing and assessment development process as well as the materials of instruction evaluation process, including serving as a curriculum lead writer; monitors process and facilitates all sub-group curriculum writing teams; provides feedback to team members on the curriculum writing progress; and develops professional staff development relative to the curriculum documents being developed.

* Stays current and models best practices of new ideas, programs, and trends in the field.

* Collaborates with other offices and programs to ensure quality content curricula and teacher professional development.

* Serves on committees, councils, and representative bodies to include but not limited to professional, civic, and interagency groups who partner with AACPS and the Board of Education.

* Facilitates and participates in evening and summer meetings and workshops; plans and executes logistics related to countywide sponsored events.

* Performs other related duties as assigned within the same classification or lower.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education

* Master's Degree in related field of education from a regionally accredited college or university required;

* Or an equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities deemed sufficient to prepare the employee to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Experience

* Four (4) years successful classroom teaching experience required.

* One (1) year experience as a school based teacher leader preferred.

* One (1) year experience providing professional development to adult learners preferred.

* Or an equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities deemed sufficient to prepare the employee to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

* Knowledge of school organization, curriculum, teaching techniques; current trends, research and materials of instruction in field of specialization.

* Demonstrates leadership qualities as a member of an instructional staff.

* Ability to work effectively with grade levels, pre-k through 12 and collaborate with other disciplines to develop comprehensive program for students.

* Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in written form with professional colleagues, staff, students, and parents.

* Demonstrates proficiency in data analysis, assessment, curriculum, instruction, building teacher capacity, and professional development methods.

* Ability to employ technology into instruction and professional development such as document cameras, projectors, and Smart Boards, etc.

* Demonstrated…