Middle School Instructional Specialist

Classification: Full-time i2i Exempt. Starts August 2026.

Reports to: Head of Middle School Assistant Head of MS for Academics

Purpose: To increase student achievement by enhancing our academic enrichment programming establishing an academic intervention program and building teacher capacity through regular coaching and collaboration.

Job Description: The Middle School Instructional Specialist at University School of Nashville is a full-time exempt position that supports student achievement by strengthening academic enrichment designing and implementing targeted intervention programs and building teacher capacity through instructional coaching and collaboration. Reporting to the Head of Middle School and the Assistant Head of Middle School for Academics this role partners closely with faculty and instructional leaders to promote evidence-informed teaching practices inclusive and culturally responsive instruction and alignment with Middle School Signature Practices. The Instructional Specialist serves as a key instructional leader collaborator and resource working across disciplines to enhance curriculum support teacher growth and ensure high-quality learning experiences for all students.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Expand refine and strengthen our existing academic enrichment programming across content areas.
• Design and implement a mission-aligned academic intervention program.
• Design and implement a mission-aligned instructional coaching program.

Secondary Responsibilities:

• Serve as a faculty resource for evidence-informed teaching practices by maintaining and sharing up-to-date knowledge of research-based instructional strategies that improve student learning.
• Collaborate with teachers through co-planning consultation and/or co-teaching to foster instructional curiosity curricular innovation cross-curricular alignment/needs and effective differentiation to meet the needs of individual students.
• In collaboration with the K-12 Director of Experiential Learning cultivate partnerships with community organizations and co-design/co-teach experiential learning units with teachers; model experiential learning practices when appropriate.
• In collaboration with our K-12 Director of Diversity and Community Life work with teachers and the Middle School Instructional Leadership Team to ensure inclusive diverse and culturally responsive practices are embedded throughout academic programming.
• Support teacher observation feedback and goal-setting as part of the Middle School Instructional Leadership observation team.
• Partner with the Middle School Assistant Head of Academics to align instruction curriculum and planning with our Middle School Signature Practices.
• Support our substitute teachers to facilitate quality instruction.
• Perform other duties as determined by the Head of Middle School and Assistant Head of Middle School for Academics.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelors degree in education or a related field; Masters degree preferred.
• Middle school teaching experience.
• Experience in mentoring or coaching teachers is desirable.
• Experience in intervention work (mathematics ELA or both) is desirable.
• A broad and established professional network.
• Experience within a diverse school community.

Skills and Abilities:

• Communicates clearly and effectively with students colleagues and other members of the school community both verbally and in writing.
• Works collaboratively and effectively with students colleagues and other members of the school community.
• Maintains a positive and professional demeanor.
• Displays a large appetite for learning and the ability to adapt to change.
• Demonstrates professionalism a strong work ethic and integrity at all times.

The School

University School of Nashville is an independent non-sectarian co-educational day school with enrollment of over 1000 students in kindergarten through twelfth 1915 the George Peabody College for Teachers opened Peabody Demonstration School USNs predecessor which earned acclaim for its curriculum and 1974 Peabody College announced plans to close PDS and a group of parents alumni students and teachers reconstituted and re-chartered the school as University School of Nashville.

USNs midtown location adjacent to Vanderbilt University and its Peabody College for Teachers reminds us each day of our beginnings over 110 years ago in the demonstration school culture of innovation and educational best practices. Its a vibrant educational community for both students and teachers in the midst of a dynamic city.

In the USN community students expect much of each other and faculty benefit from that high standard. We seek educators who are enthusiastic about their own learning to complement their work and we offer many opportunities for professional growth. USN is committed to creating an institutional environment that mirrors the cultural and ethnic composition of greater Nashville. USN encourages a diverse applicant pool and provides equal employment opportunities for employees and job applicants.

To Apply:

Please provide:

• a cover letter
• your resume
• a written Philosophy of Education statement