Part-Time School Improvement Consultant, RPDC, UMKC School of Education, Social Work, and Psychological Sciences

School of Education, Social Work, and Psychological Sciences' Regional Professional Development Center (RPDC). The mission of the UMKC School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences is to recruit, prepare and support teachers, mental health professionals and administrators who will create lifelong opportunities through education for America's diverse urban communities.

This part-time (.5 FTE), year around position at the Regional Professional Development Center (RPDC), part of the University of Missouri-Kansas City's School of Education, is primarily funded through a contract with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The mission of the UMKC School of Education is to recruit, prepare and support teachers, mental health professionals and administrators who will create lifelong opportunities through education for America's diverse urban communities. The physical location of the RPDC is Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Rd., KCMO Suite 401.

The School Improvement Consultant provides training and assistance, including job-embedded professional development, to PK-12 teachers and administrators in the Kansas City area in the elements of District Continuous Improvement DCI and collaborative teacher Data Teams for improved student achievement. This position will include knowledge about the science of reading work as that will be an area of emphasis in our training/coaching and with Teacher Academy work next year.

This position reports to the Director of the UMKC RPDC and works collaboratively with Missouri's DESE staff to serve Missouri PK-12 educators, assist with statewide school improvement issues, and to perform other duties as assigned.

Major Responsibilities and Activities:

• Provide professional development, technical assistance, and on-site support to districts and schools in District Continuous Improvement DCI is to ensure:
  • high-performing collaborative data teams;
  • data-based decision-making to inform instruction;
  • the development and use of common formative assessments; and;
  • the use of effective instructional practices.
• Assist districts and schools in monitoring and evaluating the fidelity and implementation level of District Continuous Improvement DCI;
• Assist districts and schools in the collection and analysis of data;
• Provide training and support to district and school leaders in the essential leadership components of the District Continuous Improvement DCI processes;
• Collaborate with DESE and other RPDC consultants throughout the state to provide consistent and high-quality standards for implementing the District Continuous Improvement DCI processes in schools and districts;
• Participate in required trainings and collaborative planning meetings with other RPDC coordinators and DESE for school/district improvement;
• Attend appropriate professional development opportunities upon prior approval from the center director and DESE leadership to keep current with changing school needs and share new knowledge with other consultants locally and statewide;
• Assist DESE with collection of district and school data for statewide analysis and dissemination;
• Provide technical support, materials, and resources to support school improvement efforts in other regions;
• Engage in shared learning with other RPDC consultants to build common language, skills and strategies to assist schools/districts in school improvement efforts;
• Complete and submit required documentation accurately and completely;
• Monitor and operate within overlapping deadlines, including project, fiscal, and academic;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills and Knowledge:

This position requires comprehensive knowledge of:

• Methodology and implementation processes regarding:
  • creating a collaborative culture;
  • leadership and effective teaming;
  • assessment for learning (common formative assessments);
  • goal-setting (collective inquiry and problem-solving);
  • continuous learning;
  • research-based effective instructional practices with literacy instruction;
  • knowledge regarding the component of the science of reading;
  • data (collecting, analyzing, and data-based decision-making).
• Effective professional development standards for adult learners.
• Change process and systems change;
• Integration of school improvement efforts;
• Culturally-responsive teaching.

This position requires knowledge of:

• Schoolwide Positive Behavior Support;
• Response to Intervention (RtI);
• DESE Literacy model and Reading Initiative;
• High Schools That Work, Making Middle Grades Work, and Technology Centers That Work;
• Missouri Turnaround Network;
• Missouri Learning Standards (Common Core);
• Missouri Model Curriculum;
• Missouri Educator Standards and Quality Indicators;
• Essential Principles of Effective Evaluation;
• Implementation and scaling up theory/practice;
• Cultural awareness;
• Missouri School Improvement Program (MSIP 5) with understanding of the upcoming MSIP-6 formula.

This position requires a skill base of:

• Effective meeting management and processes/protocols;
• Coaching, presenting, consulting, and facilitating skills;
• Conflict resolution and problem-solving processes;
• Leadership skills;
• Use of technology to enhance professional development.

NOTE: This position is externally funded and is renewed annually based on performance and continued funding.

Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 3 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

Master's degree or higher in education or related field. Education Specialist or PhD/EdD degree preferred. The ideal candidate will have:

• Five (5) years' experience as a teacher and/or administrator.
• Expertise and/or significant leadership experience implementing instructional best practice resulting in improved student learning outcomes.
• Demonstrated commitment to and experience in serving students with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, goals, and abilities in alignment with the School of Education's mission, vision, values, and priorities.
• Proficiency in word processing applications (i.e., Google Docs, Moodle, BrightSpace, Microsoft Office Suite, Apple systems).
• Excellent written, verbal and organizational skills.
• Able to relate to various education skills that encompass a preK-12 school system.
• Ability to conduct regional and in-state travel (travel expenses will be reimbursed).

$27,500-$30,000 annually, commensurate with experience, education, and internal equity.

Applicants must combine all application materials (cover letter, resume, and list of five references with contact information) into one PDF or Microsoft Word document and upload as a resume attachment.

Limit document name to 50 characters. Maximum size limit is 11MB. Do not include special characters (e.g., /, &, %, etc.).

If you are experiencing technical problems, please call (800) 488-5288.

Note, you must provide a description of job duties for each Work Experience entry on your application. Please carefully review the application instructions section of our Careers page prior to submitting your materials.

Applications will be accepted until this position is filled.

Kansas City offers the best of both worlds-a vibrant, urban community with Midwestern appeal. The city's rich history and its modern-day, innovative thinking come together to create an eclectic group of neighborhoods that offer a little something for everyone. From thriving arts districts, an energetic downtown nightlife, casual to upscale shopping and champion sports teams, you will have no problem making yourself at home. Of course, one of Kansas City's biggest claims to fame is its food, especially its world-famous barbecue. Foodies will delight in the culinary scene found throughout the city. Ranging from award-winning chefs to cozy pizza joints, Kansas City definitely is not lacking any flavor.

UMKC's campuses are conveniently nestled in the middle of all the action. Volker Campus is just minutes from the legendary Country Club Plaza, perfect for shopping or restaurants for lunch or after-work happy hours. Surrounded by hip neighborhoods and eateries, the Health Sciences Campus is located downtown near University Health Truman Medical Center and Children's Mercy Hospital.

UMKC is proud to be "Kansas City's university," and the campus and its people celebrate all the characteristics of the surrounding community. To learn more about life in Kansas City and find more resources, visit VisitKC.com.

This position is not eligible for University benefits. Individuals in non benefit eligible positions may choose to participate in the Tax Deferred Annuity Plan (403b). For information about this plan, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 816-235-6910.