Program Specialist - Special Education

Job Title

Instructional Specialist - Campus

Key Details

Wage/Hour Status: Exempt/Contract
Reports to: Principal
Pay Grade/Days: 103/202
Dept./School: Assigned Campus & Curriculum and Instruction
Date Revised: March 2021

Primary Purpose

Systematically facilitate instructional improvement and student success by working with campus leadership, teachers, and district curriculum and instruction leaders to diagnose and respond to teacher and student needs. Use data‑driven practices to support teacher development through lesson planning, observation, coaching, and job‑embedded professional development, leading to sustained implementation of effective practices and instructional transformation.

Qualifications

• Education/Certification: Bachelor’s degree and a valid Texas teaching certificate. Master’s degree in a content area preferred.
• Special Knowledge/Skills: Instructional leadership competencies, ability to influence and lead change, strong content knowledge, experience leading teams, classroom implementation of rigorous curriculum, and use of effective instructional strategies and research‑based best practices. Knowledge of lesson planning, formative assessment, standards‑based instruction, response to intervention, differentiated instruction, student assessment, observation & coaching, data analysis, professional development design, presentation skills, curriculum development, and exceptional communication.
• Minimum Experience: At least three years of successful teaching, experience mentoring/coaching teachers, using student and teacher level data to inform instruction, understanding of multi‑tiered systems of support, design and delivery of professional development, and evidence of leadership activities at the campus level.

Major Responsibilities and Duties

• Coordinate implementation, monitoring, and support of all teaching and learning areas across the curriculum, including programs such as ELL, BE, MTSS, Special Education, and At‑Risk.
• Serve as instructional liaison between district and campus.
• Conduct needs assessments to identify strengths and opportunities and develop/ deliver professional development and coaching.
• Develop and support high‑quality professional development covering lesson planning, data‑driven instruction, delivery, intervention, and differentiation.
• Monitor effectiveness of professional development using teacher trackers and other assessment tools, and plan next steps with differentiated support.
• Create a personal calendar for observation, coaching, data meetings, lesson planning support, and professional development.
• Provide timely assessment data and prepare data meetings.
• Track student progress aligned to curriculum units, assessments, and monitoring (BOY, MOY, EOY) and response to intervention.
• Facilitate reflective conversations and help teachers develop reteach plans and intervention strategies.
• Co‑teach, model instruction, conduct peer observations, and coach teachers individually or in teams.
• Assist with common planning time structure and accountability measures.
• Help implement assessment protocols to guide instructional decisions.
• Support district curriculum development and assessment alignment to state standards.
• Help design and implement job‑embedded professional development.
• Participate in district professional development and apply that knowledge at campus level.
• Work with district coordinators, directors, and assistant superintendents to implement district initiatives and the MTSS framework.
• Respond promptly to teacher and administrator inquiries.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None. Duties performed through instructional leadership rather than direct supervision.

Working Conditions

Maintain emotional control under stress, think clearly, meet deadlines, and work collaboratively with campus and district teams. High physical stamina and extended walking required. Frequent travel between district and campus, occasional statewide travel, and irregular or extended hours may be necessary. Use of computers, spreadsheets, Google tools, and related equipment required; occasional lifting up to 35 pounds.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Waco Independent School District is an equal‑opportunity educator and employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or genetic information.