Instructional Specialist, Elementary Humanities

DPS•Denver, CO

About The Position

The Instructional Specialist, Elementary Humanities is responsible for improving student achievement by providing individualized support to schools, leading professional learning communities for teacher and school leaders, designing and leading district professional learning for teachers, and partnering with Directors of Schools. The role specializes in humanities and infuses the District’s vision for Culturally Responsive Education (CRE). In partnership with the academics team, the specialist develops and facilitates literacy-focused professional learning cycles for the District and school teams. The work supports measurable student outcomes tied to district priorities, including rigorous standards-based instruction, culturally responsive teaching, instructional systems, and data-driven instruction. The specialist facilitates learning cycles across schools, models culturally sustaining practices, analyzes assessment data and classroom observations, supports curriculum adoption and implementation, and collaborates with colleagues to improve student-level outcomes. The position requires a permanent home address in Colorado while working for Denver Public Schools. Applicants must be able to meet the position’s physical demands, with or without accommodations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Education or a related field.
Four years of elementary teaching experience in a relevant subject area, including at least two years of experience coaching other teachers.
Previous experience working in an urban district with Multilingual Learners and leading for Spanish Literacy for Humanities specialists.
Knowledge of evidence-based practices aligned with science of reading research.
Commitment to racial and educational excellence and to dismantling systems of oppression and inequity; belief in and support for all students so they feel seen and heard and have access to high-quality education.
Maintain a permanent home address in Colorado while working for Denver Public Schools.
Ability, with or without accommodations, to meet the physical demands of the position.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Education or a related field.

Responsibilities

Develop and facilitate literacy-focused professional learning cycles for the District and school teams, aligned with measurable student outcomes and district priorities.
Facilitate learning cycles across schools, including collaboratively setting learning goals, conducting observations, and coaching participants.
Model culturally sustaining practices for teacher leaders, including instructional planning at unit and lesson levels, data meetings, and feedback conversations.
Analyze district and local assessment data and classroom observations to inform school support.
Collaborate with a team to achieve actionable, observable results at the student level and contribute to a team culture grounded in district values and service to schools.
Develop professional learning and coaching opportunities for teachers and leaders on best practices for supporting multilingual learners.
Support district curriculum adoption and implementation.
Perform other duties as assigned.