What are the responsibilities and job description for the Teaching and Learning Specialist position at St Catherine s Center for Children?
Title: Teaching and Learning Specialist
Location: Albany, NY
Pay Range: $65,000 - $70,000 annually
Schedule: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri - 8am-4:30pm, Wed 8am-4pm
About Us:
St. Catherine’s Center for Children is a non-profit organization located in the Greater Capital Region of New York. We offer a wide array of human services designed to meet the needs of vulnerable children, families and adults, including residential and therapeutic foster care programs for children and youth, Kinship support, homeless and community-based services for adults and families, a special education elementary school for ages 5-13, and so much more. St. Catherine’s is committed to cultivating a culture where all employees feel safe to bring their authentic and best selves to the workplace. We are invested in fostering an equitable, inclusive and diversified workplace; collaboratively embracing mindfulness, relevance, respect and solidarity.
Our Mission:
St. Catherine's Center for Children provides a comprehensive range of human services designed to offer hope, foster growth, and improve the lives of the children, families and adults we serve.
Our Vision:
St. Catherine’s willingness to embrace change and develop new services is, and will remain, our guiding philosophy as we support the human service needs of children, families, and adults throughout the region.
Position Overview:
The Teaching and Learning Specialist provides instructional leadership to support high-quality teaching and learning across all grade levels and subject areas. Working collaboratively with the Principal, teachers, and related service providers, the Teaching and Learning Specialist supports the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of standards-based instruction aligned with the New York State Learning Standards and the NYSED Portrait of a Graduate. The Teaching and Learning Specialist partners with teachers to design engaging, meaningful lessons, implement social-emotional learning (SEL) into daily instruction, and utilize evidence-based instructional practices. Through mentoring, modeling, and co-teaching, the Teaching and Learning Specialist supports teachers in strengthening instructional delivery and increasing student engagement. The Teaching and Learning Specialist also facilitates the school's Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) process, assists staff in using student data to inform instruction and interventions, and oversees the administration of New York State Grades 3–8 assessments. The Teaching and Learning Specialist coordinates professional learning, supports curriculum implementation, and promotes continuous instructional improvement to ensure all students have access to rigorous, equitable, engaging, and supportive learning experiences.
Duties & Responsibilities:
(the following are illustrative only and not limiting or all inclusive): See attached, full job description. You are also welcome to call (518) 453-6700 and ask for HR for more information on this position.
Instructional Leadership and Teacher Support
- Model effective instructional practices through demonstration lessons, co-teaching, classroom coaching, modeling, co-planning and reflective feedback.
- Support peer observation and professional learning between classrooms to encourage collaboration, reflection, shared practice, and continuous instructional improvement.
- Promote evidence-based instructional practices, including research-based literacy practices to support student achievement.
- Support teachers in selecting and implementing appropriate instructional materials, resources, technology, and evidence-based interventions.
- Share resources, strategies, and best practices with teachers to enhance instructional delivery and student outcomes.
- Facilitate the development and implementation of targeted interventions and enrichment opportunities through the school's Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework.
- Support teachers in implementing evidence -based instructional strategies, differentiated instruction, Universal Design for Learning, and specially designed instruction for students with disabilities
- Facilitate collaborative planning opportunities focused on curriculum alignment, instructional best practices, student engagement, and continuous improvement.
- Encourage the use of student-centered instructional practices that promote critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and independence.
- Monitor curriculum implementation and instructional initiatives while providing ongoing coaching, feedback, and support in a non-evaluative manner.
Position Specifications and Requirements
- Experience with curriculum development, instructional planning, and implementation.
- Knowledge of the New York State Learning Standards, the NYSED Portrait of a Graduate, and current instructional initiatives.
- Strong knowledge of evidence-based literacy instruction, including the ability to support teachers in implementing effective reading practices across grade levels.
- Knowledge of evidence-based instructional practices that promote student engagement and achievement.
- Knowledge of trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and inclusive instructional practices.
- Experience coaching, mentoring, and supporting teachers through collaborative, non-evaluative practices such as modeling, co-teaching, and instructional feedback.
- Knowledge of Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), progress monitoring, and the use of student data to guide instructional decision-making.
- Experience integrating social-emotional learning (SEL) into academic instruction and supporting teachers in embedding SEL into daily classroom practices.
- Strong understanding of special education instructional practices, including differentiated instruction, accommodations, and modifications.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, facilitation, and interpersonal skills with the ability to build trusting relationships with staff.
- Strong organizational, problem-solving, and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives.
- Demonstrated ability to lead school-wide instructional initiatives while fostering a collaborative culture of continuous improvement.
- Commitment to supporting teacher growth through coaching, reflective practice, and job-embedded professional learning.
EOE Statement: St. Catherine’s Center for Children is committed to creating a diverse environment and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, reproductive health and pregnancy, family history and genetics, disability, age, military status, veteran status, politics, or other beliefs, and any other characteristics protected by law
Background Check: We are required to run a thorough and complete background check on All Candidates being considered for any position within our agency. Whether you are going to be a Permanent Employee, work with us through a staffing agency as a Temp, completing an Internship or perhaps you will be Volunteering with us. The background check includes Criminal Background Check (CBC) fingerprinting for the NYS Justice Center (NYS-JC) under the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). Some positions require additional fingerprinting under the Office of Mental Health (OMH) and/or the Department of Health (DOH). All candidates must successfully clear the background check process, following NYS-DOJ requirements. We pay for all our background checks!
What We Offer You*:
- Competitive Pay with an Excellent Benefits Package
- Health Insurance options*: Medical, Dental and Vision
- Generous Combined Leave Time and loads of PAID Holidays*!
- Professional Development & Career Growth Opportunities
- We are a 501(c) (3) agency, which is a qualifying employer for eligible staff under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program*
- Pension Plan with Agency contribution*
- Life Insurance at no cost to you!
- Paid Training* including TCI and CPR/AED/First Aid Certification Update courses, if role appropriate
- Tuition Reimbursement*
- Travel/ Mileage Reimbursement*
- Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
- The Comfort of a Business Casual Environment.
*To qualify, certain conditions may apply; See Human Resources for additional details.
Salary : $65,000 - $70,000