Instructional Specialist

Remote, based in Virginia, preferably in Northern Virginia (Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, or Stafford counties); also open to candidates in Henrico, Chesterfield, and surrounding areas.

This is a remote position with no regular office attendance required. However, the role involves frequent travel (up to 75%) to schools and districts across Virginia to provide in-person support to teachers and school partners.

Since 1987, Participate Learning has partnered with schools and districts to prepare students for career success through cultural exchange, dual language programs, and global learning. We help students build bilingual fluency, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking skills to apply their learning in real-world settings and across any career path.

The Instructional Specialist (IS) is responsible for supporting the instructional success, professional growth, and retention of Participate Learning's international educators. Through coaching, professional learning, instructional support, and strategic collaboration, the IS helps international teachers thrive in U.S. classrooms and adapt successfully to their new school communities.

Working closely with the Instructional Support Manager and cross-functional teams, the Instructional Specialist provides individualized and group support to teachers throughout their Participate Learning experience. This includes planning, creating, and facilitating onboarding; providing instructional coaching; supporting curriculum planning and delivery; identifying and addressing instructional challenges; and partnering with school administrators to promote teacher success.

The Instructional Specialist serves as a trusted coach and resource for teachers, providing timely virtual and in-person support focused on instructional effectiveness, student engagement, cultural adaptation, and professional growth. This role requires proactive problem-solving, strong relationship-building skills, and a commitment to delivering high-quality support that contributes to teacher satisfaction and retention.

Teaching experience in a K–12 public school setting is required. Experience as an instructional coach is preferred but not required.

• Provide instructional coaching and professional support to international educators through virtual and in-person interactions, helping teachers strengthen instructional practices, classroom management, curriculum implementation, and student engagement.
• Train and support international teachers as they adapt to their new roles and environments in U.S. schools throughout their five-year participation as Ambassador Teachers, with the most intensive support provided during their first year. Support will include onboarding and orientation, cultural and professional adaptation, instructional performance and development.
• Manage teacher support cases by identifying concerns, coordinating solutions, documenting actions, and partnering with school, district, and Participate Learning stakeholders to ensure timely resolutions.
• Conduct classroom observations and school visits, providing actionable feedback, modeling, coaching, resources, and follow-up support to promote teacher success.
• Build collaborative relationships with teachers, school administrators, district personnel, and internal teams to ensure a consistent, high-quality program experience.
• Facilitate professional learning opportunities, teacher communications, and engagement initiatives that foster community, instructional excellence, and retention.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of resources, projects, and program initiatives that enhance teacher support, program quality, and…