Academic Specialist

Job Title: Academic Specialist Non Secondary Wage/Hour Status: Exempt

Reports to: Principal Pay Grade: 6 (207 days)

Dept./School: Elementary School Date Revised: 9/25/13

Primary Purpose:

Evaluate and provide leadership for the overall instructional program of the campus.

Work with staff to provide quality teacher and student performance.

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

Master’s degree in education administration

Texas assistant principal or other appropriate Texas certificate

Certified Professional Development and Appraisal System (PDAS) appraiser

Special Knowledge/Skills:

Knowledge of curriculum and instruction

Ability to evaluate instructional programs and teaching effectiveness

Ability to interpret data

Strong communication, public relations, and interpersonal skills

Experience:

Two years experience as a classroom teacher

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Instructional Management

• Direct instructional and curriculum services on your campus to meet students’ needs.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate instructional programs with teachers and your principal, including learning objectives, instructional strategies, and assessment techniques.
• Apply research and data to improve the content, sequence, and outcomes of the teaching-learning process.
• Work with appropriate staff to develop, maintain, and revise curriculum documents based on systematic review and analysis.
• Involve instructional staff in evaluating and selecting instructional materials to meet student learning needs.
• Ensure the use of technology in the teaching-learning process.
• Plan the necessary time, resources, and materials to support accomplishment of education goals.
• Ensure that campus goals and objectives are developed using collaborative processes and problem-solving techniques when appropriate.
• Participate in the campus-level decision-making process to establish and review the campus goals and objectives and classroom instructional programs of the campus.
• Actively support the efforts of others to achieve goals and objectives and campus performance objectives (academic excellence indicators).
• Obtain and use evaluative findings (including student achievement data) to examine curriculum and instruction program effectiveness.
• Help secure consultants, specialists, and other community resources to assist staff in attaining objectives.
• Provide effective staff development activities that incorporate the mission of the district, program evaluation outcomes, and input from teachers and others.

School/Organizational Climate

• Promote a positive, caring climate for learning.
• Deal sensitively and fairly with persons from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Communicate effectively with students and staff.

School/Organizational Improvement

• Participate in development of campus improvement plans with staff, parents, and community members.
• Help principal develop, maintain, and use information systems to maintain and records to track progress on campus performance objectives and academic excellence indicators.

Personnel Management

• Observe employee performance, record observations, and conduct evaluation conferences. Serve as an appraiser for designated teacher appraisal system.
• Assist principal in interviewing, selecting, and orienting new staff.

Administration and Fiscal/Facilities Management

• Help plan daily school activities by participating in the development of class schedules and teacher assignments.
• Assist with safety inspections and safety-drill practice activities.
• Comply with federal and state laws, State Board of Education rule, and board policy.

Student Management

• Conduct ongoing assessment of student achievement.
• Conduct conferences on student and school academic issues with parents, students, and teachers.
• Be a positive role model for students, support mission of the school district.
• Assume responsibility for extracurricular activities as assigned.

Professional Growth and Development

• Participate in professional development to improve skills related to job assignment.

School/Community Relations

• Articulate the school’s mission to community and solicit its support in realizing mission.
• Demonstrate awareness of school-community needs and initiate activities to meet those needs.
• Use appropriate and effective techniques to encourage community and parent involvement.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Share supervisory responsibility for professional staff with school principal. Supervise teachers, custodians, paraprofessionals, clerical personnel and others as assigned.

Working Conditions:

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

Maintain emotional control under stress. Work with frequent interruptions. Occasional districtwide travel; occasional prolonged and irregular hours.