About this role
Instructional Specialist for Innovation Department: Academic Services Reports To: Chief Academic Officer Work Calendar: 240 Days Employment Classification: Instructional Support Salary: Based on District Salary Schedule Position Summary The Instructional Specialist for Innovation serves as the district leader for gifted and talented (GT) program coordination, instructional technology integration, innovation coaching, and learner-centered practices implementation. This position provides strategic and practical support for teaching and learning by collaborating with educators, administrators, and district leaders to enhance instructional effectiveness, improve student achievement, and advance GT and innovative educational practices. The Instructional Specialist for Innovation is responsible for coaching and supporting instructional staff through technology integration, curriculum development, instructional modeling, and professional learning. The position requires expertise in gifted education, adult learning, instructional best practices, technology-enhanced learning environments, and continuous improvement processes. The Specialist also collaborates with the Director of Data Strategies, Systems, and Accountability to facilitate data-informed decision-making and analyze student achievement, technology utilization, and program effectiveness to drive district and school improvement efforts. Through effective leadership, coaching, and innovation, this position supports the district's vision of engaged students, empowered teachers, learner-centered practices, and responsible stewardship of technology resources. Minimum Qualifications Required Qualifications
• Valid South Carolina teaching certification appropriate to assignment.
• Master's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Gifted and Talented Endorsement.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of successful educational experience demonstrating progressively increasing instructional leadership responsibilities.
• Experience in curriculum development, instructional best practices, technology integration, instructional coaching, and professional learning.
Preferred Qualifications
• Educational Technology Certification.
• Instructional Coaching Certification.
• Administrative Certification or comparable leadership credential.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities Instructional Leadership
• Collaborate with instructional staff and administrators to improve student achievement through instructional planning, curriculum development, co-teaching, and instructional modeling.
• Support principals and GT teachers in GT model selection, program implementation, and best practices in gifted and talented instruction.
• Support principals, teachers, instructional specialists, and support personnel in implementing effective curriculum and instructional methodologies.
• Assess instructional practices and student learning outcomes to support differentiated instruction and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate instructional activities and initiatives that align with district goals, established guidelines, and quality instructional programming.
Technology Integration and Innovation
• Lead district efforts to integrate technology effectively into teaching and learning.
• Identify technology integration competencies among instructional staff and provide targeted coaching, training, and resources to build capacity.
• Develop teacher leadership in technology integration across content areas and grade levels.
• Build capacity among Innovation Coaches to serve as instructional technology leaders centering on mathematics and science within their schools.
• Promote effective, responsible, and innovative use of technology throughout the district.
• Provide a districtwide perspective to ensure consistency and alignment in educational technology implementation.
• Collaborate with Technology Services to support the effective, secure, and instructional use of district technology resources.
• Evaluate the instructional appropriateness of digital applications and resources while ensuring compliance with data privacy and security requirements.
• Maintain expertise in emerging technologies, instructional innovations, and best practices through ongoing professional learning and credentialing opportunities.
Professional Learning and Coaching
• Design, coordinate, and facilitate high-quality professional learning opportunities for instructional staff throughout the school year and beyond the traditional instructional calendar as needed.
• Develop and deliver coaching, training, and support resources designed to enhance educator effectiveness and student learning outcomes.
• Prepare training materials, curriculum documents, presentations, reports, and supporting resources that meet district, state, and federal requirements.
• Participate in meetings, workshops, conferences, and professional learning activities to gather and share information relevant to district initiatives.
Data Analysis and Continuous Improvement
• Collaborate with the Director of Data Strategies, Systems, and Accountability to facilitate school and district-level discussions regarding student achievement and schools' GT models and program effectiveness.
• Analyze student achievement data, technology usage data, and program outcomes to inform instructional decision-making and district improvement efforts.
• Support data-driven instructional practices and continuous improvement initiatives across schools and departments.
• Understand data interoperability and the integration of third-party applications with the district's Student Information System (SIS) and Learning Management System (LMS).
Innovation Coaching Leadership
• Coordinate and advise district Innovation Coaches to ensure alignment with district initiatives, standards, instructional priorities, and innovation goals.
• Support the development and implementation of districtwide innovation strategies and learner-centered initiatives.
• Foster collaboration among Innovation Coaches to promote consistency, professional growth, and instructional excellence across the district.
Gifted and Talented Program Leadership
• Maintain and update GT curriculum maps, instructional overviews, and supporting resources.
• Support implementation of a modified gifted curriculum using Kaplan's Depth and Complexity Framework as a guaranteed and viable curriculum.
• Prepare and distribute beginning-of-year communications regarding gifted and talented services, including special classes and pull-out instructional programs.
• Plan, facilitate, and support professional learning and collaboration opportunities for GT instructional staff.
• Coordinate WordMasters as part of the ELA GT pull-out curriculum, including purchasing, team registration, challenge administration, score reporting, recognition, and end-of-year awards.
• Coordinate Perennial Math as part of the GT mathematics curriculum, including ordering materials, team setup, assessment administration, score tracking, recognition, and end-of-year awards.
Research and Program Development
• Research instructional practices, curriculum trends, educational technologies, learning sciences, regulations, and emerging innovations to support continuous district improvement.
• Assist in the development and monitoring of district programs, initiatives, and strategic plans.
• Ensure compliance with applicable district, state, and federal requirements related to curriculum, instruction, technology integration, and gifted education.
Key Competencies Successful candidates will demonstrate proficiency in the following areas:
• Instructional Leadership
• Gifted and Talented Education
• Technology Integration
• Adult Learning and Coaching
• Curriculum Development
• Data Analysis and Interpretation
• Project and Program Management
• Communication and Collaboration
• Change Management
• Strategic Thinking
• Problem Solving and Innovation
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge of:
• Curriculum design and instructional best practices.
• Educational technology integration and digital learning environments.
• Gifted and talented education assessment and instructional strategies.
• Child and adolescent development.
• Learner-centered practices and competency-based education.
• Data analysis and continuous improvement processes.
• Adult learning theory and professional development practices.
• Educational policy, regulations, and compliance requirements.
Skills in:
• Instructional coaching and leadership.
• Professional learning facilitation.
• Technology integration and instructional innovation.
• Data analysis and interpretation.
• Project and program management.
• Effective written and verbal communication.
Ability to:
• Build collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Lead districtwide initiatives and change efforts.
• Analyze and solve complex instructional challenges.
• Manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines.
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Adapt to evolving educational and technological environments.
Work Environment
• Work is performed in schools, district facilities, and professional learning settings.
• Position requires frequent interaction with students, teachers, administrators, families, and community stakeholders.
• Requires work in both indoor and occasional outdoor environments.
• Requires travel within and outside the district, including possible overnight travel.
• Tasks are routinely performed in close proximity to others.
Terms of Employment
• 240-day work calendar.
• Salary based on the District Salary Schedule for Instructional Support Personnel.
• Benefits provided in accordance with district policy.
Evaluation Performance will be evaluated in accordance with Board policy and administrative procedures governing the evaluation of certified instructional support staff. Equal Opportunity Employer The District is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status under applicable law.