POSITION SUMMARY:
The Talented and Gifted
Specialist is responsible for assisting Supervisor with implementation of the
TAG program, program design and implementation, curriculum development, and
staff development and training.
DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
Collaborates
with new and experienced TAG teachers as a mentor/advisor to support them in
the school Talented and Gifted program;
Assists teachers and administrators
in evaluating strengths and weaknesses of TAG programs and materials within the
regular classroom, the pull out program, and the TAG Center program;
Provides
support and resources to school based coordinators of TAG programs;
Creates,
revises, teaches and evaluates TAG workshops for new and experienced teachers;
Assists
school based personnel and Special Education TAG Instructional Specialist with
support programs for TAG students that are underperforming or identified as
“twice exceptional”;
Acts
as a liaison between the TAG Office and administrators to implement the TAG
program;
Provides
instruction and professional development in the implementation of strategies
that exemplify best practices in gifted education;
Attends meetings and professional development sessions at the
district, state, and national level to remain current on research and trends in
gifted education.
Meets
with coordinators and program teams to ensure that gifted education strategies
are used effectively in classroom instruction;
Reviews
assessment data related to TAG students and supports staff in using this data
in instructional decision making;
Observes
and gives feedback on instruction in TRC, TAG Center, and Pull-Out classes;
Works
with the community, parents and outside agencies to facilitate Gifted Education
awareness;
Supports
and interacts with local, state and national gifted organizations;
Coordinates on-site
mentoring and partnerships that address gifted students’ interests;
Presents
a variety of in-service sessions for teachers and parents including
informational sessions;
Monitors
the implementation of the TAG testing and identification procedures at the
school;
Provides
guidance and feedback in grouping, scheduling, and program implementation;
Assists
in recruitment efforts;
Instructs
groups of students;
Ensures
that appropriate materials of instruction are provided;
Assists
school coordinators with the orientation of new TAG students to TAG program
elements; and
Performs
related work as required.
QUALIFICATIONS:The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Minimum of five years
of successful teaching experience with Talented and Gifted students;
Experience as
Talented and Gifted Coordinator;
Thorough knowledge of
the Gifted Education pedagogy and current best practices;
Demonstrated
competence in developing and leading staff development sessions for a variety
of audiences;
Knowledge of MSDE
Criteria for Excellence Guidelines for Gifted Education Programs and COMAR
regulations;
Formal training in
best practices in gifted education, including meeting the social, emotion, and
intellectual needs of gifted students.
Ability to
collaborate with others;
Ability
to use and interpret student performance data;
Ability
to provide professional development support to teachers;
Ability
to administer cognitive ability and achievement assessments;
Must
have strong organizational and strategic planning skills;
Excellent
interpersonal and oral communications skills.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
Bachelor’s
Degree from an accredited institution required; educational
background and training in gifted education.
CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Holds a Maryland
Standard Professional Certificate; Advanced Professional Certificate preferred.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
No direct supervisory responsibilities.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, sit, and use fingers, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, the ability to adjust focus, and depth perception. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 25 lbs.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
None.