Academic Specialist Special Education

Job Description

Title Code: C01622

Plans, oversees, and leads projects from ideation through to completion at the direction of the content/program supervisor in support of the AACPS Strategic Plan. The role encompasses assessment, curriculum, data analysis, instruction, professional learning, and implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and other local, state, and federal initiatives. The position facilitates interactions with internal and external stakeholders, sets and maintains deadlines, and ensures successful completion of content/program projects, providing support to school-based lead teachers and school leadership.

• Act as a strategic and collaborative member of the program/content office to communicate AACPS’s mission, vision, goals, and expectations for assessment, curriculum, and instruction.
• Plan, oversee, and lead program/content projects from ideation through to completion at the direction of the content/program supervisor.
• Support system leadership in the review, adoption, writing, and implementation of research‑based, standard‑aligned programming for mastery of students.
• Work with school administration and teacher leaders to ensure structures that facilitate planning and enhance teacher capacity.
• Participate in local, state, and federal monitoring initiatives, analyzing student achievement and performance data to evaluate program and curricular effectiveness.
• Provide professional learning to all stakeholders at school, system, and community levels, emphasizing equity and research‑based instructional best practices.
• Implement system initiatives aligned to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and other local, state, and federal requirements, ensuring fidelity across all schools.
• Facilitate collaboration with internal offices and external agencies to ensure voice, equity, and results on system initiatives.
• Coordinate logistics and instruction for system initiatives occurring outside the school day (e.g., evenings, weekends, summer), including outsourcing with vendors and non‑profit organizations.
• Remain current with and model best practices in content/program area, working with local, state, and national organizations to advance the field.
• Perform other related duties as assigned within the same classification or lower.

• Master’s Degree in a related field of education from a regionally accredited college or university required.
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience providing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

• Four (4) years of successful classroom teaching experience required.
• One (1) year as a school‑based teacher leader preferred.
• One (1) year providing professional development to adult learners preferred.

• Knowledge of school organization, curriculum, teaching techniques, current trends, research, and instructional materials.
• Demonstrated leadership qualities as a member of an instructional staff.
• Ability to work effectively with grades Pre‑K through 12 and collaborate across disciplines.
• Effective verbal and written communication with professional colleagues, staff, students, and parents.
• Proficiency in data analysis, assessment, curriculum, instruction, building teacher capacity, and professional development methods.
• Ability to integrate technology into instruction and professional development (e.g., document cameras, projectors, Smart Boards).
• Effective work and communication with diverse populations.
• Proficiency with business technology applications (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite).

• Hold or be eligible for a professional educator certificate/license appropriate to the assigned content area issued by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) required.
• Hold or be eligible for Driver’s License (Class C Non‑Commercial) issued by Maryland or State of Legal Residence required.
• Daily access to reliable transportation.

• Driving required to conduct bona fide Board business within the scope of employment.
• Personal vehicle required.