Data Specialist - Instructional Support

A forward-thinking educational institution is seeking a strategic and collaborative Data Specialist to support instructional excellence and student achievement. This role centers on coaching educators, analyzing performance data, and driving continuous improvement across Advanced Placement and other academic programs.

Position Overview

This unique position will continue to support a version of LEAP, (Learning together to Advance our Practice, a research-based professional development model designed to foster collaboration between and for the development of teachers), weekly for AP Teachers, specifically focusing on Weekly Data Meetings, designed to track specific data for each AP area to strategize with teachers around increasing student achievement. The Data Specialist, along with other school-based LEAP Content Leaders (generally the Assistant Principal and Teacher Leaders) will support all LEAP content areas as needed but be assigned specifically to Advanced Placement in collaboration with the Assistant Principal.

This position is a safety-sensitive position. As a result, throughout employment this position will be subject to the Employee Mandatory Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy.

The Data Specialist will report to the Assistant Principal.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.

The Data Specialist at the High School level may be responsible for serving as a Progress Monitor for all data content areas which require support.

• Supports teachers’ achievement of goals, as needed, by effectively employing coaching strategies that gradually release responsibility for implementing instructional practices to the teacher (for example, co-planning, modeling, data analysis and observing).
• In collaboration with the assistant principal, provides clear and direct feedback to teachers based on analysis of practice and tracks student and teacher progress to assess the effectiveness of teacher practice.
• Develops teachers’ capacity to collect and analyze multiple sources of data to improve student learning.
• Articulates a clear instructional vision alongside the Assistant Principal with a school-wide focus on teaching and learning that is data-driven, standards-aligned and rooted in a belief that all students can achieve at high levels.
• Participates actively on the school’s Academic Leadership Team and their content specific district LEAP team.
• Attends professional development meetings, trainings and all events led by the school and DCPS Office of Instructional Practice.

Qualifications

This position offers the opportunity to have a profound and lasting impact on student learning and achievement. Candidates must possess the following qualifications:

• Master’s degree
• Valid teaching license (or eligible for DC licensure).
• At least 3 years of successful teaching experience.
• Proven track record of student achievement.
• Strong organizational and strategic planning skills; ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced work environment.
• Demonstrates proficiency in a specific content area of focus based on a content assessment administered by the LEAP Content Leader Selection Team.
• Demonstrates knowledge of how to use instruction to reach student achievement goals.
• Able to identify and describe effective instructional practices and how to provide feedback, coaching and professional development to teachers to improve the quality of instruction throughout the school.
• Demonstrates knowledge of educational theory and practices, including focus on standards-based instruction.
• Knowledge of adult learning theory, and experience facilitating professional learning communities and professional development sessions.
• Exemplary interpersonal skills.

Personal Qualities of Top Candidates

Commitment to Equity: Passionate about closing the achievement gap and ensuring that every child, regardless of background or circumstance, receives an excellent education.

• Leadership: Coaches, mentors, and challenges others to excel despite obstacles and challenging situations.
• Focus on Data-Driven Results: Relentlessly pursues the improvement of school leadership, instruction, and operations, and is driven by a desire to produce quantifiable student achievement gains.
• Innovative Problem-Solving: Approaches work with a sense of possibility and sees challenges as opportunities for creative problem solving; takes initiative to explore issues and find potential innovative solutions.
• Adaptability: Excels in constantly changing environments and adapts flexibly in shifting projects or priorities to meet the needs of a dynamic transformation effort; comfortable with ambiguity and non-routine situations.
• Teamwork: Increases the effectiveness of surrounding teams through collaboration, constant learning and supporting others; sensitive to diversity in all its forms; respects and is committed to learning from others
• Dependability: Does whatever it takes to consistently deliver with high quality under tight deadlines; successfully manages own projects through strong organization, detailed workplans, and balancing of multiple priorities.
• Communication and Customer Service Skills: Communicates clearly and compellingly with diverse stakeholders in both oral and written forms; anticipates and responds to customer needs in a high-quality and courteous manner.
• Compensation and Benefits: Data Specialists are 12-month employees. They are compensated on a customized salary scale and receive full benefits.

Equal Opportunity Statement

This employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status.