Edtech.com's Summary

Participate Learning is hiring an Instructional Specialist. The role involves providing supplemental instructional support to international educators in the K-12 setting, ensuring their successful integration and retention through high-quality guidance, professional development, and resource assistance. The specialist works closely with school administrators and district personnel to address instructional challenges and enhance classroom effectiveness.

Highlights

Main responsibilities include instructional support, professional development, and collaboration with education stakeholders.
Requires experience with mentoring/coaching teachers and knowledge of the U.S. education system.
Compensation includes competitive salary plus benefits.
Qualifications include a Bachelor’s Degree and 3-5 years of teaching experience.
Benefits include medical, dental, vision insurance, and paid parental leave.
Opportunities for travel up to 60% within Virginia.
Strong oral and written communication skills are essential.
Passion for cultural awareness and international education strongly desired.

Instructional Specialist Full Description

Instructional Specialist
Fully Remote • Northern Virginia

Job Type

Full-time

Description

Love What You Do and Why You Do It!

Participate Learning is a force for good that connects teachers and students through global education programs to foster human understanding and create peace around the world. We offer purpose-driven, challenging work in a collaborative environment, a flexible and open culture, and encourage employees to pursue their professional and personal passions.

Position Overview:

As a Participate Learning Instructional Specialist, you provide supplemental instructional support and guidance to facilitate the successful integration of international educators in the K-12 setting. Your primary responsibility is to ensure teacher success and retention through high-quality instructional support, professional development, and resource assistance. You work closely with school administrators, district personnel, and internal teams to facilitate a smooth transition for new teachers, address instructional challenges, and enhance classroom effectiveness.

Requirements

What You’ll Do:

As a Participate Learning Instructional Specialist, you play a key role in ensuring international teachers are equipped for success from their arrival through their teaching journey. You provide individualized instructional guidance and curriculum support to enhance teacher effectiveness and retention. Working closely with the Instructional Team, you facilitate onboarding, assist with classroom integration, and address instructional challenges through targeted feedback and resource recommendations. You also contribute to initiatives that strengthen teacher well-being, professional growth, and community engagement. Additionally, you participate in teacher events and professional development sessions, fostering a supportive network that empowers educators to thrive in their schools and communities.

Essential Functions (include but are not limited to):

1. Instructional Support

Provide 1:1 virtual or on-site instructional support in the areas of instruction.
Offer best-practice recommendations on classroom management, instructional strategies, and lesson planning and delivery.
Conduct school visits to observe instruction, assess challenges, and provide feedback.
Address and resolve instructional concerns in collaboration with teachers, school administrators, and Participate Learning staff.
Represent Participate Learning at district training sessions, cultural events, and additional meetings when invited.
Promote conference participation and encourage professional growth opportunities for international educators.
Serve as a key point of contact for assigned teachers, providing regular phone, email, and online support.
Diagnose instructional or classroom management issues and coordinate solutions with school and district personnel.
Provide instructional delivery support.
Document all educator concerns and resolutions to ensure clear communication across stakeholders.
Support teachers through transitions, including renewals, resignations, and terminations, with professionalism and support.

2. Professional Development & Training

Develop and facilitate professional learning sessions at teacher events, including Orientation, Fall Orientation, and Ongoing Professional Development.
To the extent possible, align training sessions with district initiatives
Participate in the design and revision of asynchronous training courses for Ambassador Teachers.

3. Collaboration & Cross-Departmental Initiatives

Work with district administrators, building specialists, and instructional teams to ensure aligned teacher support.
Attend district and school-based meetings to provide input on teacher instructional profiles and support measures.
Serve on cross-functional teams, including program development initiatives like Starting Strong.
Share resources and expertise with colleagues to strengthen internal professional learning and instructional strategies.

Expectations & Standards of Service

Provide timely and effective instructional support to teachers, facilitating their successful integration into their school communities.
Maintain clear communication with teachers, administrators, and internal teams.
Exhibit professionalism, cultural competence, and a commitment to teacher success.
Proactively seek and participate in professional development to enhance instructional support skills.
Support internal, cross-functional team collaboration and contribute to Participate Learning’s mission of fostering global education.
Address teacher concerns professionally and compassionately including explaining and enforcing policies clearly, managing emotional issues firmly yet compassionately, and explaining the procedure and follow-up for problem resolution. Ensures that school-based administration is informed appropriately.

Experience You Bring:

Bachelor's Degree; advanced degree preferred.
Minimum 3-5 years of teaching experience required, U.S. public school system experience preferred.
Experience with mentoring/coaching teachers is required.
Skill to identify classroom issues and provide appropriate advice, support, or resources.
Knowledge of the U.S. education system relative to the experience of an international teacher (e.g., organizational structure, terminology, current practices in education, etc.)
Knowledge of cultural adjustment theories and cross-cultural communications.
Strong leadership skills with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
Excellent organizational skills; ability to prioritize, multi-task, and follow through.
Superior oral and written communication skills.
Creative, constructive problem-solving and issue resolution with analytical skills.
Excellent customer service experience.
Comfortable with the use of technology and tech tools for communication, documentation, and community building.
Skill to problem solve independently, review own work and the work of others in order to identify and correct errors.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and to influence and positively lead change and transition.
Demonstrated passion for cultural awareness and international education.
Ability to work weekends and/or evenings as required.
Due to the nature of our work with teachers and schools, COVID-19 vaccine/booster is a requirement for new hires, however, the company will consider accommodations for disability and religious reasons.

Travel required

Up to 60% travel to schools and districts across Virginia.

Other skills required:

Skill to thoroughly review own work and the work of others in order to identify and correct errors.
Convey a professional and positive attitude during stressful and time-pressured work activities by focusing on priorities, organizing work accordingly, and working persistently and diligently to achieve objectives;
Maintain flexibility and openness while facing daily interruptions and larger shifting priorities and additional tasks; and
Knowledge of J-1 regulations and Participate Learning program policies;
Work effectively within the organization to achieve results and foster a healthy team atmosphere.
Skill to identify subtle cultural nuances related to issues with cultural adjustment, using this information to appropriately advise educators.
Ability to work compassionately, discreetly and thoughtfully with teacher issues.
Using knowledge of Participate Learning policies and guidelines as well as own work experience and judgment and to identify appropriate resources.

Key Measures

· Program milestones, including teacher retention

· Participate Learning evaluation process

· Individual, team, and corporate growth

· Demonstrated practice of responding appropriately to educator issues

· Demonstrated practice of properly documenting all interactions with educators

About You

Passionate about learning and welcoming people from all over the world, learning about their culture and sharing your own culture and experiences.
Passion for global perspectives - languages, cultures, travel, etc. We value a deep interest in exploring the diverse facets of our interconnected world.
We are looking for impact makers who believe in using their career as a force for good.
Eager to make a difference for today and tomorrow
Flexible with your time and energy and willing to expand beyond the day-to-day expectations of your work. (And the company reciprocates with flexibility!)
Cameras on during most zoom meetings - we want to see your smile.
Believe global education is for everyone!

What You’ll Love About Us:

Participate Learning is headquartered in Chapel Hill, NC. We partner with K-12 schools and districts to provide cultural exchange teachers, global education, and language immersion programs in Spanish and Mandarin. One of the essential measures of the success of our business is the positive impact we make on our employees. Our work inspires everyone to be change agents, bringing more empathy and connection to the world.

Attractive benefit coverage for medical, dental, vision
Company paid long-term, short-term disability and life insurance
Paid Maternity/Paternity Leave
Generous Vacation and Separate Sick Time
Wellness Program
Adoption Assistance
Infant-At-Work and Bring Your Dog to Work Program
Cell Phone Reimbursement
Fully-Stocked Kitchen
Volunteer Time Off
Professional Development Funds
Tuition Assistance
Cultural Experience & Milestone benefit every 3 years

Original Job Description