Content Specialist – Secondary English Language Arts – Teaching & Learning 2024-2025 School Year

JOB TITLE: Content Specialist – Secondary English

REPORTS TO: Director, Teaching & Learning

Mesa Public Schools is an award-winning district and voted Best Place to Work in Mesa. With over 9,000 employees, we are the largest school district in Arizona. Families have sent generations of students through our schools, as we are the premier educational choice in Arizona.

Base Salary:

$54,035.00

Performance Pay:

Available annually

New hire experience:

$500 for each full-time year of certified teaching or verified like experience

New hire education:

$65/hour of graduate level credits: BA +45 hours max,

MA +60 hours max $1000 for advanced degrees

Class/Calendar:

Certified Exempt, 187 workdays

Benefits: 

Vacation, sick leave, holidays, matched retirement,

health, and life insurance

Candidates must complete an on-line application which requires appropriate Arizona certification, valid IVP Arizona fingerprint clearance card, evidence of highly qualified status, three letters of recommendation, and transcript of credits.

OVERVIEW:

The Secondary English Language Arts Content Specialist’s primary responsibility is the

coordination and implementation of the district’s curriculum and resources to support the

instruction of the Secondary English Language Arts Standards. The content specialist

collaborates with school and district personnel to design, promote, and facilitate quality,

appropriately rigorous instruction and enrichment for all students. The content specialist

provides guidance, direction, and support to parents and school communities.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Current Arizona teaching certificate with evidence of highly qualified status to teach

• English Language Arts/Reading
• Minimum five (5) years successful classroom teaching experience preferably in secondary ELA
• Reading Endorsement preferable
• Evidence of additional training or course work in Reading and English Language Arts
• Knowledge and understanding of effective instructional strategies, instructional design, and research-based best practices for pedagogy, planning, and a variety of assessment methods as it relates to ELA
• Possess a strong commitment to continuous improvement supporting the MPS mission, strategic plan, and Portrait of a Graduate
• Strong knowledge of state and national English Language Arts standards, and familiarity with English Language Arts curricula and programs
• Robust knowledge of effective reading and writing instruction and intervention practices and strategies
• Knowledge of national, state, and district trends concerning instructional methods, resources, and strategies in the areas of Reading and Writing
• Expertise in working with colleagues in areas of professional learning, learning teams, teacher support, instructional planning and/or curriculum mapping
• Effective communication, planning, organization, presentation, and leadership skills; ability to work with and motivate others through professional relationships with a focus on the secondary level
• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative and effective professional relationships
• Successful experience planning and conducting training sessions for educators
• Willingness to innovate by exhibiting an openness to taking calculated academic risks
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently without constant supervision and under stressful timelines
• Proficiency with a broad range of technology applications
• Ability and willingness to work outside the traditional working hours and calendar, including evenings, weekends, and summers as needed
• Ability to perform moderate physical tasks

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support instructional practices, curriculum, and assessment that promote alignment to district scope and sequence, instructional framework, and MPS Portrait of a Graduate
• Train new and continuing teachers in the use of district materials, curricula, and state standards
• Oversee the development and implementation of professional learning including instructional design, instructional strategies, and assessment practices
• Work collaboratively with school and district staff to facilitate, support, implement, and evaluate quality instructional design, instructional strategies, and assessment practices
• Assist individual teachers and administrators in the development of specialized programs and/or projects
• Establish positive relationships and maintain open lines of communication with a variety of stakeholders including teachers, principals, specialists, district staff, and department chairs
• Facilitate and lead secondary department chair meetings
• Collaborate effectively and productively with other content area specialists, instructional coaches, department chairs, and administrators
• Assist in the evaluation of existing curriculum
• Provide leadership in the evaluation, development, and revision of curricula
• Coordinate and support district-level textbook/resource adoption processes
• Support the implementation of district-wide Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)
• Support the implementation of district-level assessments
• Analyze district-level assessment data to make instructional and management decisions to improve student learning
• Support teachers and school sites through demonstration teaching, professional learning sessions, observation/mentoring, and coaching
• Maintain state and national presence for MPS Reading/English Language Arts programs through conference and committee participation and other opportunities as they arise
• Work to support the district Teaching & Learning initiatives
• Maintain a presence on secondary campuses by working with teachers and leaders in planning, instruction, and assessment practices
• Perform other related duties, as assigned, to ensure the effective and efficient functioning of the work unit

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ORGANIZATION: The district does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex or gender, sexual orientation, disability, age or marital status.

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