SUMMARY:
This position, the Regional Mathematics Specialist, will serve as a part of the statewide system of regional support to educators and school leaders to implement evidence-based instructional strategies in standards-based mathematics. This position will work with state math leaders and regional centers to lead regional professional learning to promote a deep understanding of math standards, content, learning progressions and pedagogy necessary for implementation of standards and effective teaching in PK-12 math environments.
The regional mathematics specialist continuously utilizes data to inform instructional practices related to standards-based education and facilitates communications and planning with sites and districts to advance student success and accelerate student learning. This position will work with regional sites to build sustainable systems of processes and coaching supports for educators and educational leaders to improve their capacity to fully implement evidence-based mathematics, engage families, and build educator competency and efficacy – thereby increasing the mathematics skills of historically underserved children in Minnesota.
The regional math specialist will work in partnership with state and regional teams to build educator and building administrative competency around mathematics, assessment and data including understanding standards and benchmarks and the developmental processes of learning mathematics. This position will work with sites to identify resources and alignment to math standards.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (Typical tasks but not all inclusive – major duties of the position.)
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Statewide Regional Mathematics Responsibilities:
- Play and active role in the MDE and Regional statewide math support team, including:
- Attending all professional learning provided.
- Participating in communities of practice with regional colleagues to deepen understanding and skill in math standards, math progressions, math instructional pedagogy and standards-based implementation.
- Staying apprised of current research and evidence-based practices for mathematics instruction.
- Collaboratively developing tools, resources, professional development modules, and programming.
- Determine evidence-based programs and practices that should be scaled-up for improved instruction, curriculum, assessment, and professional development.
- Work collaboratively to build and maintain a regional system of professional development and support that educators and leaders can easily access and which makes extensive use of e-learning modules, webinars, interactive websites, open education resources (OER) and/or other multimedia and digital resources.
- Provide tools and processes for on-site coaching for district and school math educators and leaders and school teams in the region.
- Incorporate into the statewide system of training and support principles of Multi-tiered Systems of Support and Universal Design for Learning.
- Develop strong relationships with other organizations supporting mathematics leadership including NCTM, NCSM, The Minnesota Council of Teachers of Mathematics (MCTM), The MN Math Leaders, The STEM Center (SciMathMN), and state and regional higher ed institutions.
- Assist schools in identifying, operationalizing, and reaching a shared understanding of core features of evidence-based practices in curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional development.
- Participate in early learning training and support initiatives that help pre-K teachers provide high-quality, developmentally based instruction.
- Assess statewide practices in instruction, curriculum, assessment, and professional development to determine gaps in understanding core features of evidence-based practices in those areas.
- Support the capacity of the Regional Centers of Excellence and Regional Service Coops staff to help districts and schools improve student achievement in math and reduce opportunity gaps birth through grade 12, especially for our most historically underserved communities.
- Select and use tools and materials specific to active implementation frameworks, and train regional mathematics specialists in their use.
- Assess practices in instruction, curriculum, assessment, and professional development to determine gaps in understanding core features of evidence-based practices in those areas.
- Ensure alignment of the work to the Minnesota PreK-12 Academic Mathematics Standards and Early Childhood Indicators of Progress.
- Monitor the design, implementation, and evaluation of local mathematics plans.
Minnesota Service Cooperative Responsibilities:
- Provide support and coaching to internal staff to build capacity for implementing the 2007 and 2022 Math Standards.
- Collaborate with MDE State Mathematics Team and the Regional Mathematics Network colleagues to ensure support provided across all levels of math is aligned to evidence-based Structured Mathematics practices.
District and School Responsibilities:
- Support districts in the development, implementation, evaluation, and submission of their Local Mathematics Plans.
- Support districts in the implementation and alignment of a MnMTSS system utilizing evidence-based practices and standards-based mathematics curriculum.
- Support implementation of evidence-based mathematics practices in PK-12 settings.
- Support district and school teams in data collection and analysis to ensure data is being used effectively to inform instruction to support student growth and achievement across all Tiers.
- Familiarize teachers and administration with the research on effective mathematics practices and evidence-based practices.
- Regularly communicate with school administrators, colleagues, and experts to keep well-informed of current and developing research.
- Work collectively with peers and MN Department of Education in reflecting on personal learning and how that learning supports student achievement and growth of students.
- Other duties as assigned.