Professional Learning Specialist - Social Studies

Position Summary

The Curriculum & Instruction (C&I) Department works to ensure outstanding instruction in every classroom. Sustainable implementation of high-quality curriculum is the most important driver of that aim and supports the growth of teachers, administrators, counselors, and librarians at various stages throughout their careers. We aspire to ground our C&I work in a set of shared elements. We start with an understanding of how students learn; we organize around adult learning principles to support teachers and school leaders; we embed opportunities to modify curriculum materials for specific classroom contexts or student needs; and we organize everything around continuous improvement, to get better over time. 

The Professional Learning Specialist role involves the following major bodies of work:

• In collaboration with New Visions staff, teacher leaders, and other stakeholders, refine an understanding of New Visions Social Studies curricula;
• Collaborate with the C&I social studies team to develop and implement curriculum-based professional learning opportunities -- including workshops, school visits and coaching, and data dives that support teachers in using New Visions Social Studies instructional materials;
• Engage directly with teachers and instructional leaders as a way to build school-based instructional capacity;
• Stay informed of shifts in the field (including NY State Standards, Regents, and national standards) and develop materials to inform instructional leaders and teachers about these shifts

This role requires deep and consistent collaboration with Curriculum team members, as well as New Visions’ school-facing staff. It also requires ongoing thoughtful exchanges with stakeholders at many levels of the system.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

• Collaborate with New Visions staff and teacher advisors to gain an understanding of published OER curriculum that 
• supports student mastery through the incorporation of routines;
• embeds scaffolds and differentiations to support all learners;
• promotes student success on the Regents exam (when applicable) and in future classes;
• fosters the development of multiple literacies for application to college and career
• Collaborate with New Visions staff to develop and implement teacher professional learning in NYC, NYS and possibly outside of NYS -- including coaching, workshops, and other formats -- grounded in curricular resources and shared routines and strategies
• Study and facilitate curriculum implementation in school sites
• Collaborate with New Visions staff to develop coaching plans that support both teachers and instructional leaders in developing school-based capacity

Education and Experience: 

• Masters-level degree 
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in public education, preferably urban schools and secondary level Social Studies
• Minimum of 3 years of experience supervising, coaching, or leading teachers, at at least 2 different school sites

Required Skill Sets and Knowledge Base

• Demonstrated an understanding of principles of both student learning and adult learning
• Demonstrated ability to support teachers in adapting curriculum materials for students with a variety of learning needs
• Experience collaborating with others on a team, using data to drive organizational change 
• Demonstrated commitment to data-driven decision-making, systems thinking and continuous learning as drivers of improved student outcomes 
• Skills related to the design, implementation, and assessment of effective secondary curricula 
• Strong service and support orientation towards schools and school communities
• Strong interpersonal skills to navigate the diverse cultural environments of a wide range of public high schools, and ability to work effectively with a wide range of school and district leaders and staff
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Familiarity with the NYS K-12 Social Studies Framework and the C3 Framework

Disclaimer:

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position.  These statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position.

Our offices are currently operating in a hybrid model, with staff expected to work in person several days per week.