Professional Learning Specialist

POSITION: Professional Learning Specialist (Grant-funded)

REPORTS TO: Chief Academic Officer/Director of Pupil Services


PRIMARY FUNCTION:

The Professional Learning Specialist supports the Chester Upland School District (CUSD) in delivering a seamless system of comprehensive academic and instructional support in alignment with the district’s Equity-based Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) model. This role involves designing and implementing professional learning opportunities, monitoring MTSS implementation, and fostering data-driven decision-making. The position ensures that equitable services are provided to students with diverse academic needs and facilitates the alignment of district resources and instructional frameworks with MTSS initiatives.

REPORTS TO AND EVALUATED BY:

The Professional Learning Specialist reports directly to and is evaluated by the Chief Academic Officer and Director of Pupul Services and works cooperatively with the Central Administration staff members and with other district personnel to perform job responsibilities as outlined.

MISSION: The Chester Upland School District is committed to providing all students the opportunity to achieve excellence in the four A's: Academics, Athletics, Arts, and Activities.

The senior leadership team continues to build a talented and committed team to ensure all students are prepared to graduate from Chester Upland schools career and college ready! The C.O.R.E. is the foundation of the Chester Upland School District’s vision and mission.

C.O.R.E.:
C- Children First: The well being and continuous learning of every child will drive decisions.
O- One Chester Upland: With dedicated community of partners, parents, students and staff, we will excel, united as One Chester Upland.
R- Reimagining: Through a mode of continuous improvement, we will apply four important levers for change, collaboration, capacity building, deepening knowledge of pedagogy, and focusing direction to improve outcomes for all.
E- Equity, Excellence, and Emotional Intelligence: We will ensure equitable access to a quality education that includes emotional intelligence and leads to excellence across all opportunities and services.


RESPONSIBILITES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
MTSS Expertise and Implementation:

• Apply extensive knowledge of MTSS, standards-aligned instruction, evidence-based practices, and instructional supports.
• Monitor and ensure timely and appropriate Tier I, II, and III interventions align with district frameworks and compliance guidelines.
• Conduct school visits to evaluate MTSS implementation and provide coaching and technical assistance.

Professional Development and Training:

• Design and deliver professional development workshops, including virtual and hybrid formats, on MTSS and evidence-based instructional strategies.
• Facilitate training sessions for school-based MTSS teams, ensuring active learning and application of best practices.
• Develop district-wide professional learning resources.

Data Analysis and Reporting:

• Collect and analyze academic and intervention data to inform decisions and monitor program effectiveness.
• Prepare reports documenting MTSS implementation outcomes and provide actionable recommendations to leadership teams.
• Support data-driven decision-making processes at the school, network, and district levels.

Collaboration and Leadership:

• Serve as a liaison between school sites and the central office MTSS leadership team.
• Foster collaboration among staff to implement instructional frameworks and promote staff buy-in for MTSS initiatives.
• Model and implement cycles of continuous improvement.
• Support central office academic initiatives.
• Participate in grant writing, RFP/RFQ preparation, and related documentation as needed.
• Maintain effective communication with internal and external stakeholders.

Additional Duties
Performs other related tasks as assigned by the Business Manager and Director of Human Resources.
Note: The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all inclusive of every task or responsibility.

Equipment
Use standard office equipment such as personal computers, printer, copy and fax machines, and telephone.

Travel Requirements
Travels to school district buildings and professional meetings as required.
Key Competencies
The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following:
Strategic Planning and Effective Execution

• Proactively offer innovative solutions to seemingly intractable problems.
• Demonstrate critical thinking skills and the ability to analyze data, identify trends, and diagnose root causes.
• Exhibit a strong focus on goals and results. Sets clear metrics for success.
• Demonstrates excellent project management skills, including close attention to detail, ability to balance the big picture with detailed steps to reach the end goal, and ability to balance multiple projects under tight deadlines.
• Continuously monitors progress and demonstrates persistence to overcome obstacles to achieve goals.

Effective Change Management

• Ability to develop and execute approaches to preparing and supporting individuals, teams and organization in making systemic improvements district wide.
• Ability to use methods that redirect or redefine the use of resources, processes, budget allocation, or other modes of operation that significantly shift/change an organization
• Creates environments that encourages systemic improvement of practices over time.
• Use structured approach to ensure changes are implemented successfully to support sustainable change at scale.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Extensive knowledge of MTSS processes, state mandates, and intervention strategies.
• Proficiency in standards-aligned instruction, literacy, mathematics strategies, and evidence-based interventions.
• Strong skills in data analysis, program evaluation, and decision-making.
• Ability to design and facilitate professional development workshops and assess their effectiveness.
• Expertise in Google Workspace/Office 365 for content development, data analysis, and presentations.
• Exceptional communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of current teaching methods and educational pedagogy, as well as differentiates instruction based on learning style.
• Knowledge of best practices in administration, program evaluation and staff supervision.
• Knowledge of data information systems, data analysis and the formulation of action plans.
• Ability to use computer network system and software applications as needed.
• Ability to develop and implement projects.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to organize multiple tasks and conflicting time constraints.
• Ability to engage in self-evaluation with regard to leadership, performance and professional growth.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others contracted in the course of work.

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards
Work in standard office and school building environments

Equipment
Use of standard office equipment such as personal computers, printer, copier and fax machines, and telephone.

Travel Requirements
Travel to school district buildings and professional meetings as required.

Qualifications Profile
To successfully perform this position, a person must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The qualification requirements listed below represent minimum levels of educational achievement, training, skill and/or ability necessary.


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS/CERTIFICATION:
Education and Experience

• Education: Master’s degree in Education, Curriculum & Instruction, Reading Specialist, or a related field.
• Certification: Valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Administrative certificate for K-12 or Elementary and Secondary Principal.
• Experience: At least 5 years of full-time, professional teaching experience, including roles involving evidence-based interventions, staff development, and leadership responsibilities.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: The information in this job description is for compliance with Chester Upland School District Board Policy and the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities and qualifications for the position. The incumbent may perform or be assigned other duties.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The Chester Upland School District (CUSD) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. CUSD ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of race, creed, gender, color, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, or disability. Any individual needing assistance in making application for any opening should contact the Department of Human Resources at 267-916-5169.