Specialist - Lead Elementary Teaching and Learning 2025-2026

• Forbes named Mesa Public Schools in their list of 2024 Best Employers in Arizona.
• East Valley Tribune names Mesa Public Schools as Best Place to Work in East Valley for multiple years.

Fulltime

Base Salary:

$77303.00

Calendar:

Certified Exempt 261 workdays

Benefits:

Vacation sick leave holidays matched retirement through the Arizona State Retirement System health and life insurance

Performance Pay:

Available annually

New Hire Experience:

$500 for each fulltime year of certified teaching or verified like experience beyond the five year requirement

New Hire Education:

$65/hour of graduate level credits: BA 45 hours max MA 60 hours max $1000 for advanced degrees

Job Summary:

The Lead Elementary Teaching & Learning Specialist is a yearround certified specialist who will lead and coordinate efforts for the strategic integration of curriculum instruction and assessment systems to fulfill the MPS Promise. Reporting to the Director of Teaching & Learning the Lead Specialist serves as the primary instructional partner to principals instructional coaches teachers and district specialists. The Lead Specialist coordinates professional learning that aligns to the districts instructional framework high quality instructional design MTSS priorities and adopted resources.

This position adheres to an extended teacher contract term and the specialist salary compensation guidelines.

Candidates must complete anonlineapplication which requires appropriate Arizona certification valid IVP Arizona fingerprint clearance card evidence of highly qualified status three letters of recommendation and transcript of credits.

Key Responsibilities:

This section outlines the primary duties and key responsibilities required for this role detailing the essential tasks and functions necessary to perform the job successfully with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Works in close collaboration with the Director in providing leadership direction and guidance to staff and in managing operational activities to achieve the districts goals in line with its mission and vision.

• Support efforts to meet goals established by the Director of Teaching & Learning Elementary.
• Support the implementation of initiatives programs and tasks as assigned by the Director of Teaching & Learning Elementary (e.g. MTSS instructional framework personalized learning coaching etc.).
• Develop coordinate oversee communicate and evaluate plan of action for project implementation.
• Facilitate and support department and districtlevel academic activities (e.g. competitions summer programs etc.).

• Lead and coordinate teams of stakeholders (e.g. district specialists schoolbased staff etc.) to support district and department initiatives.

• Facilitate professional learning for school leaders district specialists schoolbased teaching staff and instructional coaches on a variety of topics within curriculum instruction and assessment.

• Assist with support and evaluation of specialists and classified personnel.

• Facilitate ongoing data analysis and evaluation as it relates to district improvement.

• Facilitate coordination and collaboration between and among district departments.

• Acts on behalf of the Director in their absence.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

To be eligible for this position an applicant must meet the following required qualifications. Verification of these required qualifications is necessary.

Education:

• Bachelors degree in education related subject area or instructional design

• Masters Degree in education curriculum and instruction educational leadership or related field preferred

• Current Arizona teaching certificate with evidence of highly qualified status

• Valid Arizona IVP fingerprint clearance card.

Experience:

• Minimum five years of successful classroom teaching experience required

• Three years of successful leadership experience at the school or district level preferred

• Qualified Evaluator certification preferred
• Demonstrated ability to design high quality instructional experiences and implement and evaluate PreK12 curricular resources
• Demonstrated ability to lead a team showcase mentorship skills and plan collaboratively

• Experience analyzing student performance data and using it to guide instructional strategies and interventions.

• Experience with stakeholder engagement

Skills & Competencies:

This section outlines the critical skills and competencies required to excel in this role enabling effective performance adaptability and consistent achievement of job responsibilities.

• Models the attributes and skills of the MPS Portrait of a Graduate and demonstrates a commitment to the MPS Promise that every student is known by name served by strength and need and graduates ready for college career and community.

• Designs and facilitates impactful professional learning for adult learners.

• Exhibits strong leadership with the ability to inspire motivate and align teams across sites and departments.
• Engages in productive professional relationships with students teachers administrators parents and the community.
• Implements effective organizational techniques and decisionmaking skills to successfully manage multiple priorities meet deadlines and complete complex tasks.
• Engages in selfreflection and continuous professional learning to stay current with the evolving educational landscape.
• Embraces ambiguity and showcases a willingness to accept change.
• Implements effective use of technology tools (including AI) to increase productivity efficiency and collaboration.
• Demonstrates effective collaboration with diverse groups of stakeholders.

• Brings a strong work ethic initiative and commitment to service excellence.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

This section outlines the work environment and physical conditions associated with this role. It includes information on whether the job involves working in an office classroom or other settings and if there are physical activities like standing walking or lifting.

• Primarily works in an office or professional environment at the district and school sites
• Involves facilitating workshops meetings and professional learning sessions

• May require occasional evening or weekend work for events training sessions or districtwide meetings

• Ability to move frequently between classrooms schools and meeting venues

• Extended periods of standing while facilitating professional development sessions or observing classroom instruction

• Occasionally lifting and carrying materials equipment or technology typically under 25 pounds

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

Mesa Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal state and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity and antidiscrimination. The District strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees applicants or any other covered persons because of race color religion creed national origin or ancestry ethnicity sex (including gender pregnancy sexual orientation and gender identity) age physical or mental disability citizenship past current or prospective service in the uniformed services genetic information or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal state or local law.

Applicants and employees may contact Human Resources to request reasonable accommodations needed to perform the essential functions of this position.