School Improvement Specialist SY

Position Type:
District and School Support - Certified/School Improvement Specialist

Date Posted:
5/29/2026

Location:
Lincoln Middle School
(High-Needs School)

Date Available:
08/05/2026

Closing Date:
Until Filled
TITLE: School Improvement Specialist CLASSIFICATION: Certified
FLSA: Exempt DEPARTMENT: Curriculum & Instruction
SALARY: $48,000-$113,997 WORK YEAR : 180 days
REPORTS TO : Principal or Designee

Benefits: 100% employer-paid premiums for employee medical, vision, and dental insurance, $50,000 life insurance policy, and family, spouse, and dependent coverage options.
Position Summary

Under the general direction of the Principal, the School Improvement Specialist serves as a school-based leader responsible for designing, implementing, monitoring, and sustaining systems that improve student outcomes in academics, behavior, attendance, and overall school culture. The School Improvement Specialist supports teachers, students, and families through the development of a cohesive Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), data-driven decision-making, instructional coaching, and school improvement initiatives.

This position works collaboratively with administrators, teachers, support staff, students, families, and community partners to ensure all students receive the academic, behavioral, and social-emotional supports necessary for success.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Leadership

• Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 supports.
• Coordinate and align academic, behavioral, attendance, and social-emotional support systems.
• Facilitate MTSS team meetings and monitor intervention effectiveness.
• Ensure fidelity of implementation across classrooms and grade levels.
• Develop systems for identifying, monitoring, and supporting at-risk students.
• Monitor intervention plans and progress toward student goals.

Data Analysis and School Improvement

• Collect, analyze, and interpret academic, behavior, attendance, and climate data.
• Facilitate collaborative data meetings utilizing gap analysis, root cause analysis, and action planning protocols.
• Support grade-level and content teams in analyzing student performance data.
• Assist staff in utilizing assessment systems, intervention tools, and data platforms.
• Participate in school improvement planning and progress monitoring.
• Assist teams in establishing measurable goals to improve student achievement and student outcomes.
• Meet regularly with the principal to review data trends, intervention outcomes, and school improvement goals.

Instructional Support and Coaching

• Provide instructional coaching and support to teachers.
• Model effective instructional strategies and intervention practices.
• Support implementation of district curriculum, instructional programs, and assessment systems.
• Assist teachers in developing differentiated instruction and small-group interventions.
• Support teachers in aligning instruction to standards and assessment expectations.
• Observe classrooms and provide direct, actionable feedback to staff.
• Serve as a resource for identifying evidence-based instructional strategies and interventions.
• Ensure consistent implementation of reading, mathematics, and other district instructional programs.

Behavior, Climate, and Student Engagement

• Lead schoolwide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) initiatives.
• Develop, implement, and monitor behavior support systems.
• Facilitate restorative practices and conflict resolution strategies.
• Coordinate social-emotional learning (SEL) initiatives.
• Establish and monitor schoolwide expectations and recognition systems.
• Develop student incentive programs that promote positive behavior, attendance, and academic achievement.
• Support teachers with classroom management strategies and behavior interventions.
• Foster a positive, structured, and inclusive school culture.

Attendance Improvement and Student Support

• Develop and implement schoolwide attendance improvement systems.
• Monitor attendance trends and identify students requiring intervention.
• Lead attendance team meetings and case management processes.
• Coordinate attendance interventions and family outreach efforts.
• Consult with students and families regarding attendance concerns and barriers to success.
• Promote student engagement initiatives that encourage consistent attendance and participation.
• Collaborate with community agencies and support services to address attendance challenges.

Student Services and Family Engagement

• Confer with students regarding academic, behavioral, attendance, and social-emotional concerns.
• Make referrals to appropriate support services, including counseling, crisis intervention, social work, special education, and mental health resources when needed.
• Maintain active and positive relationships with students, parents, and families.
• Communicate regularly with families regarding student progress and intervention plans.
• Build partnerships with community organizations and service providers to support student success.

Professional Learning and Leadership

• Plan and facilitate professional development related to:
  • MTSS
  • PBIS
  • Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
  • Data Analysis
  • Instructional Best Practices
  • Behavior Management
  • Restorative Practices
  • Attendance Improvement Strategies
• Participate in leadership meetings and school improvement teams.
• Assist administrators in presenting staff development and training activities.
• Promote collaborative problem-solving and continuous improvement among staff.
• Participate in professional learning aligned to school and district priorities.

Additional Responsibilities

• Attend meetings, trainings, conferences, and professional development as assigned.
• Collaborate with administrators, teachers, counselors, interventionists, and support staff.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding student and personnel matters.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Principal or Supervisor.

Impact Goals

The School Improvement Specialist will:

• Strengthen and sustain MTSS systems.
• Improve student attendance and reduce chronic absenteeism.
• Improve student behavior and school climate outcomes.
• Increase student engagement and connectedness.
• Increase instructional effectiveness and academic achievement.
• Build staff capacity through coaching and professional learning.
• Foster a positive, structured, and supportive middle school culture.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)
• Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
• Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
• Curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices
• School improvement planning processes
• Data analysis and progress monitoring systems
• Middle school student development
• Attendance intervention strategies
• Restorative practices
• Illinois educational regulations and requirements

Skills:

• Leadership and team facilitation
• Data analysis and interpretation
• Instructional coaching
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Relationship building
• Professional development delivery
• Effective written and verbal communication
• Conflict resolution and collaboration

Ability to:

• Lead schoolwide improvement initiatives.
• Analyze data and develop action plans.
• Build positive relationships with students, staff, families, and community partners.
• Support implementation of instructional and behavioral systems.
• Facilitate collaborative teams and meetings.
• Manage multiple projects and timelines.
• Work effectively in a diverse educational environment.

Qualifications

Required:

• Master's Degree in Education, Educational Leadership, Curriculum and Instruction, Special Education, or a related field.
• Valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL).
• Minimum of five (5) years of successful teaching experience.
• Demonstrated experience using student achievement and behavioral data to improve outcomes.

Preferred:

• Illinois Administrative Endorsement.
• Experience in an urban or high-needs school district.
• Experience with MTSS, PBIS, school improvement planning, instructional coaching, or intervention programs.
• Background in Special Education, intervention services, or student support systems.
• Experience leading professional development and coaching adults.

Working Conditions

• School and office environment.
• Frequent interaction with students, staff, parents, and community members.
• Occasional travel within the district for meetings and professional development.

Physical Requirements

• Standing and walking for extended periods.
• Sitting for extended periods while reviewing data and preparing reports.
• Seeing to read documents and computer screens.
• Hearing and speaking to exchange information and make presentations.
• Reaching, bending, kneeling, and squatting as needed.
• Lifting and carrying instructional materials and equipment.
• Operating standard office technology and equipment.
• Driving a vehicle to conduct district business when required.

License and Other Requirements

• Valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL).
• Valid Illinois Driver's License preferred.
• Successful completion of all district-required background checks and trainings.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
Inside school/office environment


PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
School/Office environment; walking, standing, squatting, hearing and speaking to exchange information and make presentations; seeing to monitor various activities; read documents, view computer monitor, kneeling, bending at the waist, sitting for extended periods of time; reaching overhead, above shoulders, and horizontally, or bending at the waist to retrieve and store files; lifting semi heavy objects; driving a vehicle to conduct work.


SAMPLE HAZARDS:
None noted.


LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
A Valid Driver's License