Duties
The Curriculum and Assessment Facilitator actively participates in making curricular and assessment decisions affecting Giant Steps, Inc. Day School. This position manages the design of a dynamic, student-centered learning environment where curriculum design is inclusive, engaging, and responsive to the diverse needs of all learners while ensuring that all school curricula follow current state and federal guidelines. The Curriculum and Assessment Facilitator will support teachers in fostering student growth, maximizing learning outcomes, and cultivating a culture of continuous improvement and innovation in teaching
Duties and Responsibilities
Relationship Building:
- Oversee all school-wide relationships as they relate to the Giant Steps Day School curriculum, instruction, and assessment
- Support partnerships with local colleges and universities as they relate to Giant Steps Day School
- Set a meeting with the Director of Special Education to provide updates on organizational and project information
Financial:
- Maintain annual budget as it pertains to curriculum, instruction, assessment, PE, and STEAM programming
- Seek approval of the Director of Special Education for any curricular, assessment, PE, and STEAM program purchases
Communications:
- Participate in School Leadership Team meetings regarding curriculum, instruction, assessment, vocational, PE, and STEAM tools
- Work cooperatively with others to ensure horizontal and vertical alignment among programs
- Communicate organization-wide changes and initiatives to the Senior Supervisors and faculty
- Possess the ability to:
- Listen and communicate effectively to gather, convey, or exchange information
- Respond appropriately to inquiries or complaints dealing with curriculum or assessment
- Use tact and courtesy when working and dealing with the community
- Read, comprehend, and prepare various kinds of communication and information, including emails, reports, articles, proposals, policies, charts, spreadsheets, and curriculum
- Communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of settings, using appropriate terminology during in-person, telephone, and/or email communications
Curricular Responsibilities:
- Directly supervise Giant Steps Instructional Team: Classroom Instructional Coach and Classroom Support Specialist, STEAM Program and PE Program
- In collaboration with the Director of Special Education, the C&A Facilitator will coordinate and lead all curriculum, instruction, and assessment processes
- Participate in the hiring process for new Classroom Teachers
- Lead and organize the process for teacher candidates seeking an internship or student teaching placements
- Provide leadership to achieve a student-centered learning environment where curriculum design is inclusive, engaging, and responsive to the diverse needs of all learners
- Participate in identifying culturally appropriate and relevant curricular resources
- Collaborate with the Vocational Facilitator to ensure the integration of vocational global goals into the educational experience for students at all levels.
- Act as a liaison between the curriculum team and Giant Steps programs
- Provide guidance to the Instructional Team on effective new teacher induction and mentoring
- Maintain a process for ongoing teacher mentoring by implementing and enacting standards for teacher support and empowerment, including providing teachers with guidance in developing IEP goals, assessment tools, data collection procedures, academic groups and lesson planning, and implementation of available curricular resources on an as-needed basis.
- Provide leadership in establishing new and innovative programs, revising methodology, and updating curriculum targeting educational programs.
- Maintain and/or create (if needed) the annual curriculum and instruction plan (this plan is to be completed and approved by the Director of Special Education by May of each school year)
- Collaborate with the School Leadership Team regarding professional development necessary to effectively implement the intended curriculum and instructional best practices from K – Transition.
- Collaborate with Program Supervisors to develop, implement, and evaluate theme-based programs that use components of technology integrations, apprenticeships, community activities, and online connections.
- Assist Senior Supervisors to plan and strategize student improvement
- Provide effective and efficient utilization of instructional resources
- Guide the selection and use of textbooks, technology resources, and other teaching materials
- Maintain positive, cooperative, and mutually supportive relationships with Giant Steps faculty and staff
- Collaborate with Organizational Program Manager and Director of Special Education in identifying ISBE approved courses, ISBE course codes, and developing required courses for the Giant Steps yearly academic program
- Collaborate with school district partners regarding required coursework for students earning grade level credit through their school district. Collaborate with the Organizational Program Manager to ensure all student transcripts and courses are up to date for students taking grade level coursework.
- Remain current on educational developments and the literature in the field of education
- Participate in the affairs of state and national professional organizations devoted to the advancement of curriculum and instruction
Instructional Support Responsibilities
- Support and enhance the infusion of the Giant Steps curriculum framework across all grades (K-12+) levels
- Assist teachers in defining and maximizing instructional time for lesson planning and IEP goals.
- Regularly collaborate with and assign duties to the Instructional Coach to ensure that teacher support and empowerment are provided to meet teachers' needs and enhance student achievement.
- Assist teachers in developing and implementing individualized student programming that focuses on a specific skill or content area related to the curriculum framework or curricular resources.
- Provide feedback on challenges teachers may face with student programming; suggest additional teaching strategies and resources.
- Lead the development and execution of plans for new curricular resources in classrooms that incorporate stakeholder input and promote teacher empowerment.
- Consult with program facilitators to review classroom/academic/functional/vocational IEP goals to ensure they are appropriate for the student's skill level and possible growth trajectory.
- Provide support in developing and implementing new programming structures to best meet the needs of students and classrooms (e.g., morning meeting, academic groups, cooking, working on ADLs, vocational programming, etc.)
- Act as a liaison to ensure there is continuity in instructional standards, curricular resources, and assessment practices across day school program areas; be a model for Instructional Coaches in this area
- Help set vision for ongoing teacher professional development; implement teacher PD through building-wide department trainings, small group focused trainings, and PLCs.
- Provide training and professional development activities to teachers that meet their needs and promote student achievement; collaborate with Instructional Coaches on training and program development
- Support classroom coverage as needed or requested by the Director of Special Education
- When needed, make suggestions for the implementation of classroom systems and effective utilization of program assistants based on “push-in” shadow teaching strategies
Assessment Responsibilities:
- Monitor state and local benchmark assessment standards and administration of assessment dates
- Interpret, analyze, and generate data to apply basic finding principles for program growth effectively
- Consult with teachers on assessment, the delivery of instruction and assist in lesson differentiation, including assistance in lesson plan preparation, modeling lessons, or co-teaching lessons
- In collaboration with the Director of Special Education, develop and implement assessment procedures for yearly state-mandated tests (i.e., IAR, DLM, ACCESS, ISA, and ACT/PACT))
- Interface with districts regarding student-specific questions or needs related to state assessment
- Provide relevant information and training to Teachers, Program Facilitators, and School Leadership Team on a yearly assessment plan.
- Troubleshoot in-the-moment challenges during state assessment administration; assist in assessment administration to students when needed
- Oversee the vision and implementation of the Essential Skills annual assessment and interpret annual results for School Leadership and Program Admin teams.
Qualifications
Knowledge and Leadership Qualifications
- Possess in-depth knowledge of curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices
- High energy and passion for Giant Step's mission is essential
- Is a supportive change agent
- Flexible and adaptable style; a leader who can positively impact both strategic and tactical initiatives
- Ability to work both independently without close oversight, but also a team player who will productively engage with others at varying levels of seniority within and outside Giant Step's
- Ability to construct, articulate, and implement annual strategic curriculum, instructional, and assessment plan
- Strong organizational and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Performs well under stress, deals with persons acting under stress and displaying emotional distress, and adapts when confronted with emergencies
Minimum Job Requirements
- 5-plus years of professional experience in teaching and/or curriculum, instruction, and/or assessment positions
- Master's degree in curriculum or related fields required
- Excellent communication skills, both written and oral; ability to influence and engage a wide range of individuals and build long-term relationships
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google processes
- Comfort level with new learning and organizational software
Salary/Benefits
Salary is commensurate with the level of education and experience.
How to Apply
https://www.applitrack.com/giantsteps/onlineapp/default.aspx?all=1