FYInstructional Specialist, Department of Professional Learning, FTE

Job Description - Immediate FY27:
Instructional Specialist, Department of Professional Learning, 1.0 FTE (2600716)

Job Description

Immediate FY27:
Instructional Specialist, Department of Professional Learning, 1.0 FTE

Job Specific Information :
The salary of employees assigned to 12-mo positions is between $78,361 and $159,500 based on education and experience. For information about benefits, please follow the link below. https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/site assets/district/departments/ersc/employees/pay/schedules/

MCPS Official Job Description

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF CLASSIFICATION:
Under the direction of leadership, the Professional Learning Instructional Specialist serves as a school-based instructional coach and equity advocate, embedded within a cross-functional team to directly support schools in achieving system-wide goals, priorities, and initiatives. This position focuses on enhancing instructional excellence through equity-driven practices, ensuring that educators have the tools and strategies needed to create inclusive and effective learning environments.

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.

The instructional specialist works on the ground in schools, facilitating collaborative planning, coaching school leaders and instructional teams, and supporting high-performing PLCs to strengthen teacher capacity and improve student outcomes. Additionally, the specialist guides schools in implementing and sustaining restorative approaches practices, assisting in the design, facilitation, and monitoring of school-based restorative practices that foster a positive school climate and strengthen student-teacher relationships.

Moreover, the specialist facilitates, coaches, and monitors the nexus between implementing restorative practices and change in school culture, student engagement, as well as student discipline data. A key focus of this role is supporting school improvement efforts through data-driven decision-making, ensuring instructional strategies are rigorous, equitable, and aligned with student needs. By modeling best practices, providing targeted professional learning, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, the instructional specialist empowers educators to implement transformational instructional strategies that advance equity and student achievement.

ACCOUNTABILITY & SUPERVISION:
The instructional specialist is accountable to the School Leadership Director while being supervised and evaluated by a subject-matter expert supervisor. This dual-reporting structure ensures alignment between school-based priorities and system-wide instructional initiatives, fostering effective collaboration between school and central office leaderships. PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
None SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
None

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Thorough knowledge of MCPS Strategic Plan goals; comprehensive understanding of MCPS Curriculum, and the Common Core State Standards. Expertise in adult learning theory, differentiated instruction, equitable and culturally relevant practices. Deep knowledge of the school improvement process, including:
Conducting root cause analysis, identifying and implementing an instructional focus, developing, executing, and monitoring a…