Teacher Science Integration Specialist

Job Summary: Enhance science instructional practices at the elementary classroom level and raise the level of student achievement by planning and providing job-embedded and ongoing professional development for teachers. Funded through Comprehensive Improvement Funds for a limited three-year duration the Science Integration Specialist will specialize in building Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) aligned units for grades K4. The Specialist will ensure strong cross-curricular opportunities within the existing scope and sequence of grade-level materials procure and design a sustainable replenishment framework for science materials deliver targeted professional development and provide active in-classroom troubleshooting and co-teaching support during lesson implementation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Other duties may be assigned.

• Curriculum & NGSS Unit Building: Partner with K4 teachers to build science units fully aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
• Cross-Curricular Integration: Ensure science units are intentionally mapped to current grade-level scope and sequences explicitly embedding cross-curricular opportunities (e.g. ELA Mathematics and Technology).
• Materials Procurement & Sustainability: Source organize and acquire via federal procurement process all physical materials necessary to execute the designed science lessons. Create and implement a highly sustainable long-term procurement plan to ensure materials can be refreshed and acquired systematically year after year.
• Professional Development: Design facilitate and deliver high-quality school-based professional development opportunities that equip classroom teachers with the content knowledge and pedagogical strategies necessary to incorporate new science lessons confidently into their classrooms.
• In-Classroom Support & Troubleshooting: Maintain a high presence in classrooms during science lesson implementation. Provide side-by-side support modeling co-teaching and live troubleshooting to assist teachers as they test and execute new science investigations.
• Instructional Framework Alignment: Utilize the districts established Coaching Cycle framework and protocols to build teacher capacity facilitate peer observations and lead reflective data conversations.

Supervision Received: Shall report directly to the Director of Curriculum Instruction and Assessment while working closely with the Building Principals unless otherwise assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Qualification Requirements:

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each job function in an efficient and compliant manner. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge skills and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the job functions.

1. Education: Masters degree preferred with a concentration in one of the following:

• science education
• elementary education
• curriculum and instruction
• or a closely related field

1. Experience: Minimum of five (5) years of successful classroom teaching experience with demonstrated expertise in elementary science instruction inquiry-based pedagogy and NGSS implementation.
2. Certification: Must hold or be eligible to hold a VT teaching license with an Elementary Education endorsement.
3. Language Skills: Ability to read analyze and interpret complex professional journals curriculum frameworks and educational regulations. Ability to write professional development materials curriculum units and clear instructions for lesson plans.
4. Mathematical Skills: Strong mathematical skills including the ability to perform operations using units of weight measurement volume and distance particularly as they relate to organizing measuring and preparing science laboratory/investigation materials.
5. Reasoning Ability/Mental Requirements: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed written and/or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving concrete variables in standardized situations in a safe efficient manner. Must be able to multi-task to meet objectives on time and on budget.
6. Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Highly effective interpersonal and group communication skills. Ability to communicate courteously efficiently and effectively with a variety of individuals including students faculty administrators parents and representatives of outside organizations and staff. Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with peers subordinates supervisors parents and outside agencies. Ability to effectively resolve conflicts.
7. Technical & Strategic Skills: * Strong knowledge base of theoretical research pertinent to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and inquiry-based pedagogy.

• Proficiency in computers/technology applications for spreadsheets inventory logging presentation tools and digital curriculum integration.
• Familiarity with laws and regulations governing education in Vermont

1. Other Skills and Abilities:

• Strong knowledge base of theoretical research pertinent to instruction best practices.
• Proficiency in computers/technology applications word processing spreadsheets email internet integration presentations research and AI.
• Familiarity with laws and regulations governing education in Vermont.
• Proficiency in inquiry-based and problem-based pedagogy and other 21st-century best-practice strategies.
• Strong work ethic self-directed self-motivated.

Competencies: The individual in this position must possess the following:

1. Dependability being reliable punctual responsible and fulfilling obligations.
2. Self-Control maintaining composure keeping emotions in check controlling anger and avoiding aggressive behavior even in difficult situations.
3. Stress Tolerance accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
4. Cooperation being pleasant with others and displaying a good-natured cooperative attitude.
5. Concern for Others being sensitive to others needs and feelings and being understanding.
6. Attention to Detail being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
7. Integrity being honest and ethical.
8. Adaptability/Flexibility being open to change (positive or negative) and to variety in the workplace.
9. Independence guiding oneself with little or no supervision depending on oneself to get things done.

Required Experience:

IC