Academic Specialist 12 Month (Pre-KK School Climate)

JOB SUMMARY
Acts as a strategic collaborative member of the Academic team in support of the AACPS Strategic plan throughout the entire school year. The role encompasses all aspects of curriculum instruction assessment professional learning for all stakeholders analysis of data and planning and execution of county wide events to ensuring a positive impact on the achievement of all learners. Provides direct support and assistance to schools to ensure instruction is aligned to best practices for all students.

Additional Work Days/Hours
Based on the assignment the following additional work days and/or hours may be required as needed:

• Ability to work flexible schedules
• Evenings/Nights
• Extended hours
• Outside of normal business hours
• Summer hours
• Weekends

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Acts as a strategic and collaborative member of the Academic team to communicate Anne Arundel County Public Schools philosophy goals and expectations of curriculum instruction and assessment to school staff and the community.
• Assists teachers and school-based administration with implementation and ongoing enhancement of a comprehensive academic program which engages students in relevant and rigorous coursework aligned to the Maryland State Department of Education Standards.
• Works with school leadership and school teams facilitating collaborative and instructional planning to enhance teacher capacity with curriculum and instruction; enhances communication between school and the office.
• Visits schools to observe instructional practices and curriculum implementation provides targeted feedback and assists with data driven decisions about planning.
• Leads professional development initiatives for individual teachers and school teams at school and district level meetings to model best instructional practices based on the standards and create a student-centered learning environment.
• Supports the Coordinator in all aspects of the curriculum writing and assessment development process as well as the materials of instruction evaluation process including serving as a curriculum lead writer; monitors process and facilitates all sub-group curriculum writing teams; provides feedback to team members on the curriculum writing progress; and develops professional staff development relative to the curriculum documents being developed.
• Stays current and models best practices of new ideas programs and trends in the field.
• Collaborates with other offices and programs to ensure quality content curricula and teacher professional development.
• Serves on committees councils and representative bodies to include but not limited to professional civic and interagency groups who partner with AACPS and the Board of Education.
• Facilitates and participates in evening and summer meetings and workshops; plans and executes logistics related to countywide sponsored events.
• Performs other related duties as assigned within the same classification or lower.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge skills and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education

• Masters Degree in applicable field of education from a regionally accredited college or university required;
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge skills and abilities deemed sufficient to prepare the applicant to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Experience

• Four (4) years successful classroom teaching experience required.
• One (1) year experience as a school based teacher leader preferred.
• One (1) year experience providing professional development to adult learners preferred.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge skills and abilities deemed sufficient to prepare the applicant to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Knowledge Skills Abilities and Other Characteristics

• Knowledge of school organization curriculum teaching techniques; current trends research and materials of instruction in field of specialization.
• Demonstrates leadership qualities as a member of an instructional staff.
• Ability to work effectively with grade levels pre-k through 12 and collaborate with other disciplines to develop comprehensive program for students.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in written form with professional colleagues staff students and parents.
• Demonstrates proficiency in data analysis assessment curriculum instruction building teacher capacity and professional development methods.
• Ability to employ technology into instruction and professional development such as document cameras projectors and Smart Boards etc.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively work and communicate with diverse populations.
• Demonstrated proficiency with business technology applications (e.g. Video/Web Conferencing Microsoft Office Suite - Word Excel Outlook and/or PowerPoint preferred).

Licenses and Certifications
Employee must retain active licenses certifications and enrollment as a condition of employment.

• Hold or be eligible for Educator Certification: Advanced Professional Certificate (APC) issued by Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) required.
• Hold or be eligible for Drivers License (DL) Class C Non-Commercial issued by Maryland or State of Legal Residence (MVA/DMV) required.
• Daily access to reliable transportation.

Driving Requirements

• Driving is required to conduct bona fide Board business that is within the scope of employment in this position.
• Personal Vehicle

LEADERSHIP ROLE
Lead Worker Duties/Responsibilities

• Train employees
• Direct the work of employees
• Provide feedback to assist the supervisors assessment of the employees performance
• Plan the work
• Instruct employees in specific techniques and technical methods to use
• Perform same type of work as employees the Lead Worker is assigned to lead

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS
The physical demands and working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

• Standing: between 1/3 and 2/3 percent of the time
• Walking: between 1/3 and 2/3 percent of the time
• Sitting: under 1/3 percent of the time
• Using hands to handle or feel: under 1/3 percent of the time
• Pinching (fine motor skills): under 1/3 percent of the time
• Wrist deviation: under 1/3 percent of the time
• Keyboarding: under 1/3 percent of the time
• Pushing: under 1/3 percent of the time
• Pulling: under 1/3 percent of the time
• Reaching (with hands and/or arms): under 1/3 percent of the time
• Climbing (Ascend/Descend): under 1/3 percent of the time
• Balancing: under 1/3 percent of the time
• Stooping: under 1/3 percent of the time
• Kneeling: under 1/3 percent of the time
• Crouching: under 1/3 percent of the time
• Crawling: under 1/3 percent of the time
• Bending: under 1/3 percent of the time
• Twisting: under 1/3 percent of the time
• Squatting: under 1/3 percent of the time
• Talking: over 2/3 percent of the time
• Hearing: over 2/3 percent of the time
• Smelling: under 1/3 percent of the time
• Repetitive Motions: under 1/3 percent of the time
• Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination: under 1/3 percent of the time
• Driving: between 1/3 and 2/3 percent of the time
• As required by the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Vision
The vision demands with correction described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less)
• Distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more)
• Peripheral vision

Work Environment
Location

• Office school or similar indoor environment: over 2/3 percent of the time
• Outdoor environment: under 1/3 percent of the time

Exposure

• Outdoor weather conditions: under 1/3 percent of the time

Noise Level

• Moderate: between 1/3 and 2/3 percent of the time

Weight & Force
Lifting and carrying requirements

• Up to 50 pounds: under 1/3 percent of the time

Travel Requirements

• 5% semi-annual day/night travel out of state to attend professional development conferences.

JOB INFORMATION

ORGANIZATION

HR JOB INFORMATION

VR# 24207

Required Experience:

Unclear Seniority