Program Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction

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Summary:

The Partnership for People with Disabilities at Virginia Commonwealth University celebrates over 39 years as Virginia’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Research, Training and Dissemination (www.vcu.edu/partnership).  The Virginia Department of Education’s Training and Technical Assistance Center (T/TAC) at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is a large state funded project at the Partnership.  We are seeking an experienced and dynamic professional as a Program Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction, a program specialist for personnel serving children and youth with disabilities. The professional will join a team of Program Specialists who provide training and technical assistance to schools, school divisions, and state-operated programs in the central and southside Virginia regions. This twelve-month University position is grant-funded through June 30, 2026.  We anticipate long-term funding for this role. This position will be open rank with an anticipated slotting of Community Engagement & Outreach, Senior Education Specialist CE 14235N.

Typical Duties

• Respond to the needs of school personnel in divisions/schools, providing professional learning and technical assistance in SOL-aligned rigorous curriculum and effective instructional strategies for students with disabilities in all content areas.
• Use a variety of high-quality professional learning and technical assistance methods, including in-person or virtual small and large group workshops with follow-up support, systems change processes, consultations, communities of practice, book clubs, web resources, distance training methods (e.g., webinars), literature searches, library information, consultation, electronic mail, and video conferencing to build the capacity of all personnel working with students with disabilities. 
• Use a variety of high-quality professional learning and technical assistance methods that promote the Universal Design for Learning framework for an inclusive Tier 1 curriculum and respond to needs related to instructional delivery to assist students in gaining access to the general education curriculum (i.e., Standards of Learning).
• Assist with acquiring and organizing resource materials about various instructional methodologies, program development, curriculum, and federal laws that govern services for students with disabilities for the T/TAC library and assistive and instructional technology lab.  
• Participate in professional learning to stay abreast of emerging and current instructional practices.  
• Promote and lead school divisions through a systems change process for developing and implementing evidence-based practices within inclusive environments (division/system-wide and/or school-wide).
• Assist teams in identifying resources, creating procedures, and learning to provide inclusive Tier 1 curriculum and instruction.
• Collaborate with the Virginia Department of Education, Statewide T/TACs, Partnership for People with Disabilities, VCU’s School of Education, local school divisions, and other professional and public agencies.
• Write publications for consumers and contribute to social media platform postings.
• Actively participate as a T/TAC Program Specialist Team member, sharing all team responsibilities, including facilitating team meetings, providing leadership on organizational teams, and collecting evaluation information.
• Work independently and with teams on various tasks to develop products to assist professionals, students, and families.
• Additional duties assigned by the Virginia Department of Education and the T/TAC Co-Directors and Program Specialists’ teams.

Hybrid schedule 60%.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Teaching, Special Education, Administration & Supervision, or a related field.
• A minimum of five years of recent experience supporting students with disabilities in the areas of curriculum and instruction. 
• A minimum of two years of recent experience and use of effective leadership skills in a coaching and/or administrative role (e.g., lead teacher, program coordinator, instructional specialist, content coach) with a strong emphasis on inclusive education.

• Demonstrated knowledge of effective practices and current issues in developing an inclusive Tier 1 curriculum (rigorous and aligned to the Standards of Learning).
• Demonstrated understanding of adult learning principles through examples of high-quality professional learning and technical assistance.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and provide high-quality professional learning and consulting with other professionals. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal and state regulations, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA 2004), Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Regulations Governing Special Education Programs for Children with Disabilities in Virginia, Virginia School Accreditation Standards, and Virginia Standards of Learning.
• Demonstrated knowledge of effective practices and current issues in co-teaching.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team to promote successful outcomes for youth with disabilities.
• Knowledge of and participation in the leadership and facilitation of implementation science/  implementation science and systems change initiatives.
• Skills and experience in working as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Knowledge of Windows and Microsoft Office operating systems and familiarity with utilizing mainstream computer applications (e.g., email and Internet). Knowledge and use of virtual platforms such as Zoom and Google Meet.
• Ability to travel to school and program sites with occasional overnight stays.
• Efficient management of professional time, independently and as a team member. Include any descriptions regarding involvement in school or division-level teams. 
• Ability to work flexible hours, including early mornings, late afternoons, and occasional evenings and weekends. 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience teaching elementary (grades 3-5) and/or secondary (grades 6-12)
• A minimum of five years of recent experience (within the last 7 years) supporting students with disabilities in the areas of curriculum and instruction. 
• A minimum of two years of recent experience (within the last 5 years) and use of effective leadership skills in a coaching and/or administrative role (e.g., lead teacher, program coordinator, instructional specialist, content coach) with a strong emphasis on inclusive education.

Typical Licensure

• Must provide a valid Virginia teaching license (or ability to obtain endorsement) in Administration & Supervision, Special Education, or a similar Virginia license from another state.

Sandy Wilberger
slwilber@vcu.edu
804-837-1373