EdTech Specialist

Description

The EdTech specialist will primarily assist high school teachers and staff to develop and integrate tools in order to enhance learning and innovation through the use of improved integration of technology. The focus of the EdTech specialist is to enrich and support the teaching and learning delivery of faculty while also enhancing and strengthening the technology skills of high school students and staff. The EdTech Specialist will explore new educational technologies and assist classroom teachers in the integration of technological hardware and software into the lesson plan. The EdTech Specialist is anticipated to be highly collaborative and will work as a member of the schoolwide Academic Team under the direction of the Academic Dean. Although primarily focused on the high school, the EdTech Specialist will also work collaboratively with the middle school EdTech Specialist(s) and the technology support team, as they support overall academic school improvement efforts and build the technology instructional capacity of the faculty. Extensive knowledge, experience and successful implementation of both classroom instruction and student management, along with solid instructional technology experience is required. 

Other

• Ability to coach, mentor, and teach adults and students

• Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with others, demonstrate self-discipline and initiative, and follow administrative parameters.

• Strong organizational skills

• Ability to collect and analyze data from a variety of sources, evaluate and make recommendations.

• Use effective positive interpersonal communication skills.

• Demonstrated skills as a Leader and a Follower/Team Member

• A strong commitment to living and sharing your Christian worldview.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Professional Development for Oaks Christian High School Community

• Assess technology skill levels of students, teachers and staff.

• Working closely with classroom teachers in the development of lesson plans that encompass the use of technology.

• Coordinate all activities surrounding the professional technological development of administrative staff members and faculty.

• Serve as a liaison between faculty, administrative staff and the technology team.

• Facilitate effective use of learning time by spearheading professional development related to: (1) Maximizing increased instructional technology time focused on student academic needs; (2) Provide professional development that ensures student engagement when providing differentiated re-teaching and focused interventions utilizing instructional technology; and (3) Integrate curriculum areas to strengthen key concepts across all subject areas using technology.

• Provide professional development and ongoing support with a focus on strategies and activities on improving daily instruction.

• Collaborate with teachers to support their use of technology in delivery of curricula through a variety of instructional methods. In partnership, the high school EdTech specialist and the teacher will work toward integrating the use of hardware, software and Internet resources in support of student learning and assisting teachers in meeting state and national standards for subject-area and technology-learning objectives.

• Help to continually revise existing learning resources for teachers, staff and students (in collaboration with the middle school EdTech specialists) that support teachers in integrating technology. Ideally, teachers will be guided and encouraged to develop their own resources, while the high school EdTech specialist will support these efforts by providing additional support as needed.

• Identify trends in software, curriculum, and teaching strategies in all content areas.

• Create; Develop; Coach and Mentor a ‘Student Genius Bar/Team’ focused on assisting students with technology needs

• Work with the Academic Team to develop a schoolwide ‘Digital Learning Technology Strategic Plan’.

• Work effectively with the Chief Technology Officer and the COO on developing the school’s annual CapEx plan and budget.

• Assist in developing the annual plans and delivery methods for OC On-line; The Learning Center; and Academic Labs.

• Explore new EdTech products, ideas and methods.

 Learning Management System/Student Management System

• Work with the middle school EdTech specialists to continually revise existing guides, support materials, training and online resources to maximize high school faculty use of the Blackbaud learning management system.

• Partner with the Blackbaud solutions manager to resolve any learning management system issues that high school teachers may encounter.

 Research & Development

• Explore the use of technology as related to personalized learning platforms and project/product-based learning for future use.

• Participate in cooperative long-range planning to make the most effective use of resources including, but not limited to engaging in accreditation initiatives for WASC and SAIS in conjunction with the associate head of school, academic dean, and OCS IT department.

• Lead the Oaks Christian academic technology committee.

• Consult on the technology budget for computer resources, including hardware, software, learning resources and training needs.

• Recommend the purchase of hardware, software and related resources in conjunction with the IT department and COO.

Other

• Provide basic technical support to teachers when appropriate.

• Perform other tasks or services consistent with the duties defined in the position summary or as defined by either the Academic Dean or the associate head of school-academics.

• Additional duties may be assigned as required.

Requirements

• Minimum of three to five years of successful teaching experience (high school preferred).

• Demonstrated teaching and leadership skills, written and oral communication skills.

• Extensive knowledge of pedagogy, teaching techniques, curriculum and staff development.

• An understanding of key learning theories and methods of instruction, and their relation to technology integration. Ideal candidates should work well with others and be skilled in team management.

• Have clear goals and strategies for integrating technology into instruction.

• Familiarity with integrating technology into the curriculum.

• Experience with effective technology teaching strategies in teaching software and hardware skills.

• A strong and demonstrated ability to work with diverse work teams in a highly effective and collaborative manner.

Education

Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in education, instructional technology, or digital learning, or a related area of study and/or demonstrates the skills of instructional technology competencies evidenced by effective classroom implementation.  An advanced degree and teaching certification is preferred.