Social Studies Learning Specialist

NOTICE OF VACANCY

March 5, 2025

POSITION: LEARNING SPECIALIST: SOCIAL STUDIES

LOCATION: Department of Instruction

POSITION SUMMARY: The Social Studies Learning Specialist serves as an instructional coach, school team facilitator, program coordinator, professional learning facilitator, and a liaison between schools and the Department of Instruction. The Learning Specialist will support the professional growth of staff by strengthening their understanding of Maryland Social Studies Curriculum Frameworks, Maryland College and Career Standards for Social Studies, and the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards. The Learning Specialist will also support teacher competence in best practices in literacy instruction and in Social Studies pedagogy.

REPORTS TO: Supervisor of Social Studies

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE:

At the time of application, the candidate must hold or be eligible for:

Administrator I endorsement (or be eligible for this endorsement by August 1, 2025).

• A Maryland Advanced Professional Certificate.
• A minimum of five (5) years successful teaching experience.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS: (These are pre-employment knowledge, abilities and skills that apply to the Essential Job Functions). At the time of employment, the candidate must have:

• A Maryland Advanced Professional Certificate.
• A minimum of five (5) years successful teaching experience.
• An understanding of Danielson’s Framework for Teaching.
• Demonstrated skill in differentiating instruction to respond to the varied needs of learners.
• Evidence of broad reading and knowledge in professional literature and research related to the MSDE Social Studies Standards, the College, Career and Civic Life Standards (C3), digital literacy, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and 21st Century learning environments.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement professional learning for staff, parents, and community members.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards and their integration in social studies curricula.
• Demonstrated ability to use technology to design and deliver training modules and incorporate instructional technology tools.
• Demonstrated ability in collecting and analyzing student achievement data, targeting growth opportunities, and adjusting instruction.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse communities and populations and multiple levels (elementary, middle and high).
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to work independently and to lead teams in program implementation.
• Possess a valid driver’s license and motor vehicle insurance.
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as Calvert County Public Schools may find appropriate and acceptable.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Facilitates outcome-based collaborative planning, professional development and department/PLC meetings to build teacher capacity.
• Facilitates development of elementary and secondary social studies curriculum, transdisciplinary planning, and assists with team collaboration in writing transdisciplinary units and lessons.
• Collaborates with the Supervisor of Social Studies, school administrators, school coordinators, high school core leads and other offices to complete content specific program-based planning and coordination related to systemic field trips and History Fair.
• Assists with building, monitoring and maintaining Social Studies’ curricula, assessment, and professional development content in Schoology.
• Models effective, research-based instructional strategies and promotes a collaborative culture reflective of Danielson’s Framework for Teaching.
• Participates in ongoing training in the Maryland Social Studies and C3 Standards, UDL, and best practices in digital learning.
• Works with the Supervisor of Social Studies to develop and facilitate professional learning for social studies’ teachers.
• Works collaboratively with classroom teachers to coach, and model best practices in reading, writing, and literacy across content areas.
• Works closely with the Department of Instruction and the Department of Special Education to adequately monitor the progress of students related to the 8th grade MCAP Assessment, Government High School Assessment , Social Studies Longitudinal Planning, School Improvement Planning, and the CCPS Strategic Plan.
• Assists staff in analyzing and using data to inform and improve instruction and learning practices in Social Studies.
• Assists staff in identifying appropriate materials of instruction to address the needs of all learners.
• Professionally represents CCPS, and the Social Studies’ program in all communications and meetings.
• Promotes Social Studies programs’ awareness and provides student support through parent meetings and information sessions during and outside the instructional day as needed.
• Models continuous learning.
• Travels to schools as necessary.
• Works flexible hours as necessary.
• Interacts well with others, while meeting deadlines.

UNUSUAL DEMANDS: Will be subject to a flexible work schedule including evenings and weekends and travels across the district to work at multiple schools

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Eleven (11) month position and salary commensurate with qualifications and experience applied to the current Calvert County Public Schools salary schedule for teachers. If selected for this position, the candidate must enroll in Direct Deposit.

FLSA STATUS: Exempt.

EVALUATION: Performance will be evaluated in accordance with the policy on evaluation as established by the Calvert County Public Schools.

EFFECTIVE DATE OF POSITION: Spring 2025.

All applicants please apply through the applicant tracking system located on the Calvert County Public Schools’ website www.calvertnet.k12.md.us.

References must be directly related to educational experience and must include immediate supervisor.

State law requires that anyone hired after October 1, 1986, who will have contact with school children, must be fingerprinted and submit to a criminal background investigation. Federal law requires that a new employee must complete the Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) in person before beginning employment. Employment is conditional upon successful completion of a drug screen. Current employees of the Calvert County Public Schools are exempt from these requirements.

House Bill 486 – Child Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct Prevention Statement

Pursuant to Section 6-113.2 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland - House Bill 486 - Child Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct Prevention all applicants are required to report all former employers in which you may have had direct contact with minors. The applicant must submit the contact information of the current employer, all former school employers, and all former employers not school related. Applicants should also include contact information for organizations in which you have volunteered, coached, mentor, tutored or otherwise had direct contact with minors.

Nondiscrimination Statement

Calvert County Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, ancestry or national origin, familial status, marital status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth programs.

Calvert County Public Schools does not refuse enrollment of a prospective student, expel a current student, or withhold privileges from a current student, or prospective student, or the parent or guardian of a current or prospective student because of an individual’s race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, age, national original, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

Calvert County Public Schools does not discipline, invoke a penalty against, or take any other retaliatory action against a student or parent or guardian of a student who files a complaint alleging that the program or school discriminated against the student, regardless of the outcome of the complaint.

The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

• Director of Student Services
• Director of Human Resources
  443-550-8000

For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: https://ocrcas.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.

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Anti-sexual, Anti-racial and Anti-disability Harassment Statement
Discrimination can manifest itself in behaviors such as bullying, harassment, or intimidation of individuals.

Calvert County Public Schools does not tolerate any form of harassment including, but not limited to, sexual, racial, or disability. Any individual (student, employee, or community member) who believes that they have been subjected to any form of harassment is encouraged to report the allegation of harassment. Students, parents, and community members may report allegations of harassment to: Ms. Cecelia Lewis, Director of Student Services, Calvert County Public Schools, 1305 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Employees may report allegations of harassment to: Mr. Zachary Seawell, Director of Human Resources, Calvert County Public Schools, 1305 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Calvert County Public Schools is committed to conducting a prompt investigation for any allegation of harassment. If harassment has occurred, the individual will be disciplined promptly. Disciplinary actions for students found to have engaged in any form of harassment may result in suspension or expulsion. Disciplinary actions for employees found to have engaged in any form of harassment may result in suspension or termination.

Calvert County Public Schools encourages all students, parents, employees, and community members to work together to prevent any form of harassment.

For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: https://ocrcas.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.

Calvert County Public Schools Antiracism Statement

Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS) explicitly denounces racism, bullying, discrimination, white supremacy, hate, and racial inequity in any form within our school community. Furthermore, CCPS will not tolerate the values, structures, and behaviors that perpetuate systemic racism.

Each member of the district, individually and collectively, is responsible for creating and nurturing a safe, antiracist learning environment where each student, staff member, and community partner is a respected and valued member of the CCPS community.