2025-26 - 0.6 Math Instructional Specialist - Nisqually Middle School - One Year Only

Employment Begins 2025-26 School Year

This is a one-year only position 

Instructional Specialist

STANDARD POSITION DESCRIPTION

Classification:  Certificated                                                  Location:  Assigned School(s)

Reports to:  Principal or Principal Designee                         FLSA Status:  Exempt

Bargaining Unit:  NTEA

This is a standard position description to be used for certificated Instructional Specialist positions with similar duties, responsibilities, classification, and compensation.? Instructional Specialists assigned to the position description may or may not be assigned all the duties identified herein.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. 

Part I: Position Summary

Primary responsibility shall include working in leadership roles and providing professional development for teachers. The employee is primarily responsible for effective teaching and learning of the assigned subject(s) following district approved curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices. Demonstrated effective classroom practice and the ability to provide for student safety and appropriate team collaboration and attention to each student’s readiness to learn including needed guidance, discipline, and welfare. Employee may teach in a variety of elementary or secondary educational, individual or team teaching, settings or to a specific building as assigned. Candidates must have a valid Washington State Teaching Certificate and/or a CTE Teacher Certification as appropriate for the position. Successful candidate will work directly with and report to the building Principal or program Director. 

The District represents a diverse community with a population of more than 50% of students with diverse backgrounds. We seek an individual who has successful experience in working with culturally diverse families and communities. The selected candidate must demonstrate a commitment to strengthening community engagement and communication with the District’s diverse populations. 

Part II: Supervision and Controls over the Work: 

The employee works with a high level of independence and professional discretion under the general supervision of the building Principal or program Director. The employee’s work is governed, controlled, and evaluated by acceptable professional practice, school and district policies and regulations, provisions of Washington Administrative Code and Revised Code of Washington, direction of the supervisor, and performance standards and expectations as set forth in the collective bargaining agreement. 

Part III: Major Duties and Responsibilities (depending on specific assignment, duties and responsibilities listed may include, but are not limited to the following):

1. The Instructional Specialist plans for teacher success by providing leadership and support for teachers, principals, and schools. Provides effective professional development workshops/classes. Engages in formal instructional coaching processes following the NTPS coaching model. Facilitates groups of teachers in work around different district initiatives. Communicates effectively with all constituents, e.g. teachers, administrators, and parents. Supports the implementation of core and strategic instructional programs for all students in the regular classroom. Provides support to teachers and principals in the implementation of research-based instruction, assessment, curriculum, and materials. 

1. The Instructional Specialist works collaboratively in a professional learning community with principals, teachers, support staff, and others as appropriate, in addressing the needs of students, developing effective teaching and learning practices, and developing and implementing best practices. Provides leadership in the communication and implementation of state standard. 
2. The Instructional Specialist will use a variety of high yield teaching strategies that promote student learning by using commonly accepted professional practice (e.g. direct instruction, differentiated instruction, cooperative learning, inquiry-based lessons, etc.) and consistent with school/district approved curriculum and instructional practice. The Instructional Specialist uses research-based instructional strategies in teacher trainings to make the teaching and learning more relevant to students (e.g., contextual learning opportunities).
3. The Instructional Specialist integrates district approved and/or required technology to develop a K-12 plan with common assessments and interventions. Ability to do detailed work and maintain accurate records. 
4. The Instructional Specialist may actively participate in district or building level faculty, grade level or department meetings, assist building efforts to plan, budget, implement, and evaluate the school’s program and to do related work as required. In carrying out these responsibilities, the Instructional Specialist will follow school policy and procedures, standard practices, and approved curriculum, and will actively and positively support the District’s vision. 
5. The Instructional Specialist is constantly observant of the needs and challenges of students and promptly engages an administrator or appropriate educational staff associates when the Instructional Specialist suspects or reasonably believes that a student is at risk or in danger due to such issues as bullying, sexual harassment/misconduct, depression or suicide ideation, or academic failure. The Instructional Specialist serves as a positive role model for staff and students and practices the behaviors that are expected of staff and students.
6. The Instructional Specialist will establish a professional growth plan and annually review the plan and progress with the administrator. 
7. Required to follow Board policies and stay abreast of updates and changes. 
8. Performs other duties as assigned. 

Part IV: Minimum Qualifications: 

1. Candidates must have successful experience in working with culturally diverse families and communities or have otherwise demonstrated a commitment to strengthening engagement of a diverse community and skill in communicating with a diverse population. 
2. Successful completion of a teacher certification program at an accredited college or university, and valid Washington state certification(s) and Secondary Math endorsement(s). 
3. A minimum of five (5) years teaching experience in subject matter with additional experience in leadership and/or instructional coaching in the content area preferred. 
4. Demonstrated content knowledge for subjects/levels being taught. 
5. Ability to effectively communicate with parents, students, and staff verbally and in writing.
6. Commitment to collaboration and teaming and effectiveness in working within a professional learning community. 
7. Skill in classroom management and ability to achieve, support, and maintain acceptable student behavior. 
8. Knowledge of and ability to use appropriate and multiple assessment, instruction, and evaluation techniques. 
9. Knowledge of child and adolescent development and ability to apply that knowledge to the selection and application of curriculum materials and instructional practices. 
10. Knowledge and skill in the use and strategies necessary to meet the diverse needs of students. 
11. Skill and ability to utilize technology to aid instruction, assessment, and learning. 
12. Evidence of continuous professional learning and a commitment to participate in professional growth opportunities and self-reflection on professional practice. 
13. Mandatory attendance at essential trainings is required as a condition of employment, some trainings may include out of town travel. 
14. Knowledge of the NTPS Coaching Model or willingness to be trained and implement the model. 
15. Training in or willingness to be trained in, Data Teams, Formative Assessment, Cooperative Learning, High Yield Instructional Strategies, critical thinking and other NTPS initiatives. 

Specific to Math Specialist:

• Collaborate to develop a K-12 Math plan including professional development, coaching, and the use of common assessments and interventions. Utilize data to create, monitor, and modify the plan.

Part V: Desired Qualifications: 

1. Willingness to communicate the importance of the North Thurston Public School Strategic Framework and District goals. 
2. Bilingual skills. 
3. Successful experience in a team-teaching environment.
4. Successful experience in the grade level(s) and/or content area(s). 
5. Prior experience in a building leadership and/or instructional coaching position 

Specific to Math Specialist: Secondary:

1. Teaching and instructional or peer coaching experience preferred.
2. Preferred experience or knowledge of NTPS core and strategic math programs.
3. Prior experience focused on meeting the learning needs of specialized groups of students specifically in mathematics previously marginalized students, multilingual learners and students served through Special Education.  

Part VI: Physical and Environmental Requirements of the Position: 

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, move about, hear and speak, and be visually observant of classroom behavior and learning activities. 

The employee must regularly lift and carry items weighting up to 25 pounds or more and occasionally lift, restrain, or move up to 50 pounds. 

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. ?The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, or consistent with the subject being taught, but can be abnormally loud on occasion. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally work in outside weather conditions and be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, temperature fluctuations, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals commonly used in instruction and/or cleaning.? It may be expected that the individual could be exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials during the course of their duties. ?The employee may be exposed to infectious disease as carried by students. 

The employee may be required to travel in school owned or leased vehicles while supervising and assisting students. 

Insurance Benefits

Employees who are anticipated to work 630 hours  during the school year (September 1 through August 31) are eligible for medical, dental, vision, long term disability and basic life insurance benefits.

North Thurston Public Schools benefits are administered by the Washington State Healthcare Authority under the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB). Click on the link https://www.hca.wa.gov/employee-retiree-benefits/school-employees for information on available benefit options.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

Eligible employees  are required to be a member of the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems Plan. For eligibility  information, check on the link to the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in tax deferred 403(b) and 457 Deferred Compensation Plans (DCP). These are supplemental retirement savings programs that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Clink on the link https://www.drs.wa.gov/plan/dcp/  for information on 457 plan (DCP)  with the Department of Retirement Systems.

To enroll in an eligible 403(b) plan, employees must consult with their own financial planner that is an approved vendor.

THIS IS A UNION POSITION

Equal Opportunity Employer

North Thurston School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.  The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Coordinator and Title IX Officer: executivedirectorHR@nthurston.k12.wa.us, 360-412-4453; Section 504 Coordinator at 360-412-4465, 504@nthurston.k12.wa.us. Address for both: 305 College St. NE. Lacey, WA 98516.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Effective June 11, 1992, pursuant to Public Law 92544 all new employees must complete a satisfactory fingerprint and sexual misconduct background check. All employment is considered temporary until receipt of satisfactory check. Proof that the fingerprinting process has begun must be supplied to Human Resources prior to the first day of employment.

Salary : $39,113 - $76,904