(SUBJECT TO FUNDING AVAILABILITY)

POSITION:

Teacher Assigned A:Field Support Specialist/MTI Program Specialist

(FOR INTERNAL CANDIDATES ONLY)

(POSITION FOR ONE YEAR)

POSITION SUMMARY:

Teaching students to take care of their minds and their bodies builds a foundation for lifelong learning and ensures they have the skills needed to be physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally healthy. The New York City Department of Education’s Office of School Wellness Programs (OSWP) supports school communities in building structures and environments where Health Education and Physical Education (PE) thrive, and guides schools in teaching nearly one million students what they need to know to make healthy, informed choices now and throughout their lives.

Recognizing that every student has a right to quality PE and Health Education instruction, as well as opportunities to engage in wellness-related activities inside and outside of the classroom, we believe:

• Equity is essential to our work to address systemic social and racial barriers connected to these essential subjects.
• In protecting and promoting the health and well-being of all our students, regardless of their social position or background, including their actual or perceived race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship/immigration status, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, weight, and/or political beliefs.
• Our Office staff must engage in intentional and sustained learning over time to be change agents around equity, diversity, and inclusion.

In support of the Chancellor’s Third Pillar: prioritizing wellness and its link to student success, the Office of School Wellness Programs partners with districts to support the prioritization of the provision of quality physical education (PE) and health education and increasing access to wellness-related programs in schools. The Field Support Specialist provides direct and tailored support to districts to increase their capacity to support their school communities with PE, Health Ed and wellness programming and the ability to maintain and sustain the support moving forward.

Move-to-Improve is a free, classroom-based physical activity program that helps elementary school teachers enhance their lessons by integrating physical activity into academic instruction to get students moving. The MTI Specialist manages the Move-to-Improve program by leading professional learning and working with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that the program is implemented across NYCPS.

LOCATION:

TBD

Visiting various sites throughout New York City

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Certified and licensed, appointed and tenured New York City Department of Education teachers with background and experience in Health Education and/or Physical Education and/or school wellness.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

• Minimum of three (3) years of Effective or Highly Effective (or Satisfactory or equivalent) experience at the NYC Department of Education
• Demonstrated understanding of developmentally appropriate, standards-based teaching in health education and/or physical education or another academic area with strong content knowledge including curricula, assessment, and national and state standards and regulations
• Master’s degree in education or related field preferred
• Health education experience preferred
• Teacher certified in subject(s) other than health or physical education should have experience developing lessons and resources to support health education, physical education, and/or student well-being
• Demonstrated knowledge of the NYC Public Schools Move to Improve program
• Commitment to continuous professional development
• Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills
• Experience in creating professional development programs and materials
• Experience in using the most recent OSWP recommended health or physical education curricula preferred
• Experience in facilitating professional learning opportunities
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel and/or Access

Plus

• Strong task oriented and project management skills; extremely well organized
• Ability to prioritize and work independently under strict timelines to meet frequent and changing deadlines, handle many responsibilities simultaneously, and communicate on the status of projects.
• Excellent computer skills with PowerPoint, Excel, and LCD projector experience.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of best practices and current trends in school wellness policy, physical education, health education and/or public health.
• Strong desire to work in a fast-paced, collaborative office is critical, as is a strong team work ethic, sense of humor, and understanding of diplomacy/politics.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work with districts to build understanding of rigorous pedagogy in PE, Health Education and wellness programs
• Coordinate and collaborate with districts to improve the provision of PE and Health Ed. instruction and wellness through the customization of OSWP services and programs to meet the unique needs of the district.
• Provide guidance and resources to the field (districts and schools) to support, develop and enhance their PE, Health Ed programs and overall wellness efforts. This includes frequent meetings to trouble-shoot and provide one-on-one support, as necessary.
• Assist district-based personnel with disseminating information/resources about physical education and health education programming.
• Plan and implement daily and annual work streams such as recruitment, communications, training, engagement, and best practices.
• Identify programmatic challenges through program evaluation while providing strategies that support the advancement of program planning, implementation and expansion.
• Collaborate effectively with internal staff to strengthen programs and relationships with external partners.
• Assess and review curricula and related materials
• Develop, update and manage citywide Move-to-Improve programmatic materials; this includes sourcing curricula, materials, programmatic incentives, evaluation tools, recognition materials and technical resources and maintain updated materials on public and NYCPS sites.
• Create content for and facilitate Move-to-Improve professional learning sessions for a variety of audiences, including teachers and MTI Champions citywide, using engaging facilitation strategies as well as incorporating adult learning principles
• Inform planning and implementation of trainings and resources to support Move-to-Improve programming.
• Provide data support for workshop activities, implementation and evaluation. Review data to determine programmatic training strategies and equitable support for schools.
• Work with internal and external partners in understanding the importance and value of quality MTI as part of a comprehensive Physical Education program.

SALARY:

As per UFT Collective Bargaining Agreement

HOURS:

9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Monday through Friday

WORK YEAR:

School year plus five additional days during winter, spring, or summer vacation period

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Send cover letter, resume, and copy of license(s) by JUNE 4TH, 2024, to jdavilla@schools.nyc.gov

Subject line: “Field Specialist”