.5 Gifted Education Specialist (2025-2026 School Year)

Bismarck Public Schools is accepting applications for a Gifted Education Specialist for the 2025-2026 School Year. This is a 1 year contract for a teacher leave of absence.

This position would start August 14, 2025.

New Teacher Orientation will be held August 5, 6 and 7th.

A teaching contract is 187 days.

External candidates are allowed to bring in up to 15 years of contracted K - 12 teaching experience.

Applicants for teaching positions will be asked to complete the EPI Candidate Assessment.  You should receive an email prompting you to complete this survey.  This is timed and takes approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour to complete.  You only need to complete the survey one time and then it will show as completed on all applications. 

Purpose Statement
The Gifted Education Specialist is a learning facilitator and advocate dedicated to meeting the educational needs of gifted students. This role involves implementing a variety of instructional strategies and interventions to ensure students receive appropriate academic challenges and opportunities for growth. The position also includes collaboration with staff, administration, and parents to support gifted learners.

Supervisory Relationship
Administrator who holds the Gifted Education Profile

Essential Functions
The Gifted Education Specialist serves as both a learning facilitator and advocate, performing the following duties:
• Learning Facilitator
o Provide for the needs of gifted students through a variety of services such as small group direct, individual personalized, flexible groups, whole class thinking skills, co-teaching, subject acceleration, grade-skipping, etc.
o Attend professional development opportunities that promote improved instructional strategies and support researched-based resource material needed to implement the intervention program successfully and support/maintain professional growth.
o Support score 4 opportunities on proficiency scales - directly and/or indirectly.
• Advocate
o Gather, organize, administer, and interpret assessment data to identify students in need of gifted services.
o Attend grade level and Gifted Education PLC meetings and participate in data analysis meetings.
o Collaborate with classroom teachers, building and district specialists, building administrators, and parents when designing MTSS gifted education interventions.
o Maintain accurate student records, parent communications records, and student progress data reports.
o Moderate student goal-setting.

• Learning Facilitator and Advocate
o Utilize ND DPI Best Practices for Gifted Education and research-based intervention materials to meet the learning needs of identified gifted students.
o Follow district guidelines and policies.
o Maintain proper professional conduct as defined in the Certified Teacher Manual, Certified Teacher Negotiated Agreement and district policies.
o Perform other duties as deemed appropriate and assigned by the Building Principal

Bismarck Public Schools is in the process of implementing Marzano’s High Reliability Schools Framework. The responsibilities of the Gifted Education Specialist will evolve as the district advances efforts toward Personalized Competency-Based Education (PCBE).

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications

Skills
• Strong instructional and differentiation skills tailored to gifted learners.
• Ability to analyze student data to guide instruction and decision-making.
• Collaboration skills for working with teachers, administrators, and families.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.

Knowledge
• Best practices in gifted education and research-based instructional strategies.
• North Dakota state standards and proficiency scales related to gifted education.
• Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and data-driven decision-making.
• Social-emotional needs of gifted students and differentiation strategies.
• Effective collaboration strategies within a school setting.

Abilities
• Work effectively with diverse student populations and instructional needs.
• Adapt to changing educational strategies and policies.
• Utilize technology for data collection, analysis, and instruction.
• Foster an inclusive learning environment for all students.

Responsibility
The Gifted Education Specialist works collaboratively with teachers, administrators, and families to support the academic and social-emotional development of gifted students. This role requires proactive decision-making and the ability to adjust instruction based on student needs.

Work Environment
The role is primarily based in a school setting, with responsibilities that require interaction with students, staff, and families. Some responsibilities may require travel between school sites or attendance at district-level meetings.

Experience
Previous teaching experience preferred, particularly in gifted education.

Education
Bachelor’s Degree

Certificates and Licenses
North Dakota Elementary Teaching License
Gifted Education Endorsement or a plan on file to obtain an endorsement with NDESPB (can be obtained by taking a Praxis test in Gifted Education and obtaining a qualifying score)

Continuing Education/Training
Participation in ongoing professional development, including district training and state/national gifted education workshops.

Clearances
Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance required.

FLSA Status
Exempt

Salary Grade
Teacher Salary Schedule

Please note, salary listed reflects the current 2024-2025 schedule

Salary : $26,061 - $38,078