Instructional Specialist - Early Learning

Instructional Specialist
- Early Learning

Instructional Specialist
- Early Learning

Reports to:

Executive Director, Early Learning

Pay Grade: 4 Administrative Education

Dept./School:
Academics and School Leadership

Initiated Date:
April 2026

La Joya Independent School District (ISD) is committed to excellence for students and our community. We have a strong, 100-year legacy in the Rio Grande Valley. The district's vision
- Educational Excellence:
The Right of Every Student - conveys our urgent focus on students.

Our work is rooted in five district priorities, which require collaboration and deep commitment to supporting one another as we serve the community.

• Customer Service
• Trust & Transparency
• High-Quality Instruction
• Excellence in Leadership
• Integrity & Accountability

We are focused on ensuring every student in La Joya ISD has access to a high-quality, best-fit school as we work to improve from a B-district to an A-rated district. We serve more than 22,000 students in more than 30 schools and span six municipalities, covering more than 220 square miles.

We are seeking an instructional expert who can both design and support the implementation of high-quality early learning instruction across K-12 classrooms. This role blends curriculum development and instructional support to ensure that instructional materials, planning systems, and classroom practices result in measurable student outcomes.

The ideal candidate has demonstrated success improving teacher effectiveness and student achievement, while also contributing to the development of high-quality curriculum, assessments, and professional learning. This individual must be able to translate vision into practice through co-planning, modeling, coaching, and feedback, while supporting consistent implementation across campuses.

You must have the commitment, urgency, and adaptability needed to rapidly improve instructional quality and sustain excellence over time in a fast-paced environment.

You will be joining a district that is building on a legacy of achievement while rapidly improving and creating systems to reach new heights for student outcomes. You will receive intentional, targeted support in your leadership journey and have access to the highest-quality, research-based resources and instructional materials. We are also a district focused on continuous improvement and rigorous analysis of where we need to grow and learn.

Education/Certification:

• Bachelor's degree required; preferred in early learning, Education, reading curriculum or related field
• Master's degree preferred
• Valid or eligible to receive Texas Teacher Certification required;
  Bilingual or ESL preferred
• Evidence of completion of the Texas Teacher Reading Academy or equivalent science of reading certification preferred

Experience:

Special Knowledge and

Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to support all types of students, including students with special needs and Emergent Bilingual students
• Deep knowledge of early learning and reading instruction, including the science of reading
• Demonstrated impact on helping students learn to read
• Demonstrated ability to coach and develop other educators toward improvement
• Experience preparing high-quality, vertically aligned curricular resources
• Experience with designing and delivering professional learning for adult learners (teachers, administrators, central office staff)
• Experience supporting program design, development, implementation, and data-driven decision-making
• Knowledge of current teaching methods and educational pedagogy, as well as differentiated instruction based upon student levels.
• Knowledgeable in the physical, mental and emotional child development process
• Experience in using and interpreting data to inform decision-making processes that allow for intentional actions and lead to improved student achievement
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral)
• Strong organizational and collaboration skills
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred

Note:

The Instructional Specialist role includes both central-office based functions like curriculum development and improvement as well as campus-based functions like coaching and PLC facilitation.

• Serve as a transformational educator working to create a best-in-class learning environment.
• Participate in professional development and training to improve skills related to job assignment.
• Foster collegiality and team building among staff members.
• Provide for two-way communication with staff, students, parents, and community.
• Demonstrate professional, ethical, and responsible behavior. Serve as a role model for students.
• Commit to professional growth through active participation in reading workshops, seminars, conferences, and/or other designated professional learning.