School Improvement Specialist- Davis Center

Below is specific information for you to consider about this position.

Job Title: School Improvement Specialist- Davis Center and Requisition ID number: 101686

Close Date: No established closing date; open until filled

Organizational Unit: Accountability (10001129)

Site: Davis Center (0001)

FTE: 1.0FTE 40hrs/week; 52 Weeks; this is based on full-time equivalency with 1.0 being full time

Union: MAAS(43)

Functional Area: Administrative

Resume and Cover Letter are mandatory to apply for any position.

School Improvement Specialist

Overview

The School Improvement Team at Minneapolis Public Schools exists to work in partnership with school leaders, school communities, and district departments to improve and create equitable systems and structures, to enhance instruction, and create a positive climate for all students, families, and staff. Our team-along with our partners across the district-support schools in creating and monitoring measurable school improvement plans. We also support schools in implementing improvement efforts, with the ultimate vision of reimagined schools with equitable outcomes for all.

Our team's core values are:

• Equity: The school improvement team is committed to equity using data driven practices. We identify high leverage strategies to increase equitable outcomes for students, particularly our most underserved populations.

• Collaboration: The school improvement team is dedicated to collaborating with all stakeholders. We commit to creating opportunities for shared decision making in service of equitable systems, structures, and practices.

• Learning: Each member of the school improvement team brings strengths and growth areas to our work. We commit to active listening, developing common understanding, and continuous learning to improve our practice.

• Authenticity: The school improvement team is dedicated to establishing and maintaining authentic relationships through our presence and transparency with our school leaders and colleagues district-wide.

We are excited to expand our team! The School Improvement Specialist will work closely with approximately 4-7 schools, developing relationships with their leaders and staff, personalizing the district's strategic initiatives, and helping write or revise school improvement goals. In addition, the School Improvement Specialist will support teacher leaders and professional learning communities, and partner with district colleagues to support improvement efforts.

We are looking for a candidate who is passionate about developing schools that meet the needs of all students; someone who understands the current reality for students and brings passion and optimism; someone who is able to manage independent work, yet is a collaborator with district and school partners; someone who serves as an instructional leadership and change management coach; and someone who is willing to recognize and address mindsets and biases that serve as barriers to student learning.

At Minneapolis Public Schools, the School Improvement Team falls within the Department of Accountability. As such, this candidate will be supervised by the Director of Accountability, Kelly Barrick, but will also work closely with the School Improvement Team Lead, Alex Kuehn.

Learn more below. Please email Alex Kuehn if you have any questions or concerns: alex.kuehn@mpls.k12.mn.us.

Specific Responsibilities

• Relationship-building/Interpersonal skills

• Develop effective working relationships with a variety of school, district, and community members, including students, teachers, principals, and parents or caregivers

• Act as an active listener and partner to principals, teachers, and members of the community in developing school improvement strategies

• Build trust and maintain confidentiality

• Planning, project management, and strategic thinking

• Provide direct support to schools in the creation and implementation of school improvement plans designed to increase outcomes for student groups identified by the State of Minnesota's ESSA criteria

• Leverage strategic thinking skills to identify opportunities and challenges, articulate root causes and assess all stakeholders needs in order to initiate change

• Assist in developing processes for monitoring school improvement efforts

• Facilitation and presentation to groups

• Design and deliver professional development experiences for principals, teacher leaders, and others

• Promote collaboration within schools, including facilitating collaborative meetings such as Professional Learning Communities

• Collaboration with a broad range of stakeholders

• Communicate with associate superintendents, principals, and other district leaders regarding schools' school improvement progress

• Navigate relationships and competing priorities

• Coaching and thought partnership

• Provide thought partnership to principals, assistant principals, and others

• Data analysis and interpretation

• Assist school staff in analyzing and interpreting data in order to implement programs to more effectively meet the educational needs of the students

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Education or related field; AND three (3) years of teaching experience; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience as determined by Human Resources.

Knowledge of:

• Applicable policies, procedures and regulations covering specific areas of assignments.

• Rules and regulations of the Minnesota Department of Education and other governing agencies.

• Rules and regulations of the US Department of Education, including the Every Student Succeeds Act.

• Methods for improving student achievement in public education.

• Specialized MPS and state agency software applications and procedures.

• Principles of record keeping, records management, and management of confidential records.

Skill in:

• Reviewing and monitoring school improvement plans

• Compiling, manipulating, and analyzing data.

• Administering school support programs.

• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with co-workers.

• Effective verbal and written communication.

License and Certification Requirements

A valid Minnesota State Driver's License may be required.

Minnesota Teaching License is required.

Physical Demands and Working Environment

Work is performed in a classroom and a general office environment, with moderate physical requirements; requires occasionally lifting such articles as file boxes or heavier materials with help from others and/or lifting and carrying light objects frequently. Jobs in this category may require walking or standing to a significant degree, long periods of working with computers, and working with children.

Organizational Information

Bargaining Unit: MAAS

Grade: 69

FLSA Status: Exempt

Job Group: Academics

Revised: January 27, 2022

Compensation

Salary range: $89,695-$112,016 for 52 weeks

Application Process

Stage 1: Initial Application

• 1-2 page resume

• Cover Letter

• 3 Professional References

• Choose individuals who can speak to your professional skills, values, and experiences. We will contact references before the final interview.

To mitigate bias, we score Stage 1 applications without identifying the applicant.

Stage 2: Panel Interview

• We'll hold an initial interview with a group from the School Improvement Team, including School Improvement Specialists, the School Improvement Team Lead, and the Director of Accountability.

Stage 3: Performance Task

• Please block time to complete these tasks in case you make it to Stage 3. The expected time commitment is 2 hours.

• Review a School Improvement Plan annual evaluation

• Review a school's end of year reflection on its strategies for improvement. Write a statement describing your next steps as a School Improvement Specialist. Be sure to explain/justify your choices.

Stage 4: Final Interview

Final interviews will be approximately 60 minutes. We will complete reference checks before the final interview.

Final candidates may be invited to interview with a committee. Final appointment to this position will be contingent upon passing a criminal background check.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY:

Diversity is one of Minneapolis Public Schools core values and is essential to our goal of putting children first and making them college-ready. Diversity of our workforce provides us with a competitive advantage and allows us to better understand, communicate with and educate our diverse student body. Minneapolis Public Schools will not deny anyone the opportunity for training or employment because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender or gender identity, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, sexual orientation, age, family care leave status, or veteran status.

Minneapolis Public Schools strongly encourages diverse candidates to apply.

Posting Notes: | [No Established Closing Date] | Accountability (10001129) | Davis Center (0001) | Administrative