English Language Arts (ELA) Instructional Specialist

Pay Grade:                N (Exempt Professional Salary System)

Department:              Academic Services

Accountable To:        Director of Curriculum & Instruction

FLSA Status:             Exempt

Calendar:                   261 Days

Creation/Revision Date:       September 23, 2024  

Summary:

Under general direction, incumbent(s) supports the English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum and assessment implementation.  The incumbent also supports classroom teachers in the implementation of quality core practices in the classroom.

Essential Functions:

• Coordinates the implementation of ELA curriculum development and assessment implementation for the district, school and classroom. 
• Promotes and coordinates researched based ELA instructional strategies focusing on high quality reading, writing and language development for all students, as well as targeted students (i.e. off-level and EL students funded by Title I and III.).
• Works with schools to develop and/or compile resources for reading and writing intervention.  Supports technology integration.
• Monitors and analyzes all instructional assessment data and assists schools, administrators, and teachers with utilizing disaggregated student achievement data to plan and deliver instruction.
• Provides large- and small-group and individual training (or professional development) to help schools and individual teachers make data-driven instructional decisions. Ensures that targeted students (EL and off-level) are making adequate academic progress.
• Coaches administrators and teachers pertaining to reading and writing instruction, focusing on high quality reading, writing and language development for all students
• Coaches administrators and individual teachers who request or require assistance pertaining to evidenced –based quality core instructional strategies, classroom management, and lesson design related to curricular, instructional, and assessment programs.
• Models lessons, whisper coaches, conducts observations, video tapes, and implements other researched based coaching strategies to provide a rounded coaching model.
• Supports the teacher induction program through facilitating, coaching, training and program planning and evaluation.
• Prepares and provides job-embedded professional development that supports school 90-Day plans, District curricula, quality core instruction, and assessments/data driven decisions. 
• Evaluates professional development and reviews the evaluations with the Director to develop future plans that align with the standards set forth by Learning Forward and the regulations established by federal and other grants. 
• Actively participates in professional development that is provided by the District and/or by Reading/Literacy professional development organizations.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

To be eligible for this position, an applicant must meet the following required qualifications.  Verification of these required qualifications is necessary.

• Master’s degree in Education or related field
• Bachelor’s degree in Education
• Five years of teaching experience
• Valid Arizona Department of Education Teacher Certificate.
• Reading Endorsement or documentation showing Reading Endorsement will be completed by 12/31/26.
• Experience with designing language arts curriculum/standards documents and language arts test items to standards level of rigor
• Obtain and maintain a valid Arizona Identity Verified Prints (IVP) Fingerprint Clearance Card (AZ IVP FPCC).   

Preferred Qualifications:

It is preferred that applicant possesses the following preferred qualifications; however, the following qualifications are not required to be eligible for this position.

• One year of program specialist experience;
• One year of curriculum instruction and assessment program experience.

Knowledge and Skills Required:

To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The qualifications for this job description are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Skills required, but not limited to, for this position include:

• Using computer software related programs;
• Demonstrating coaching skills
• Demonstrating effective instructional skills;
• Applying facilitation skills;
• Designing language arts curriculum/standards documents and test items;
• Demonstrating knowledge of District curricula, assessment, and instructional programs;
• Demonstrating skills with computer applications;
• Engaging and encouraging communication skills while interacting with supervisors, staff, students, etc. to exchange information.

Physical Requirements:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to stand and walk.  The employee is occasionally required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Working Conditions:

The working environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The Washington Elementary School District is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Civil Rights Act Title VII of 1972, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. Washington Elementary School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify or expression, disability or age in employment or in any of its educational programs or in the provisions of benefits and services to students. For information regarding discrimination grievance or complaint procedures contact the Executive Director for Human Resources at 602.347.2801.

Salary : $69,562 - $83,474