WHAT DOES A CURRICULUM SPECIALIST DO?

Updated: Jan 12, 2025 - The Curriculum Specialist creates and delivers dynamic professional development training while mentoring teachers on curriculum design and instruction. This role involves supporting curriculum development and collaborating with leaders to generate business, develop strategies, and execute tailored solutions. The specialist also contributes to marketing efforts, maintains client relationships, and offers insightful recommendations for continuous improvement.

A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Curriculum Specialist

1. Curriculum Specialist Details and Accountabilities

  • Curriculum Design and Structure: Design and structure a developmentally and culturally appropriate curriculum for ages two months to six years old.
  • Learning Environment Setup: Design and support the setting up of quality learning environments for all Centres.
  • Curriculum Feedback Review and Enhancement: Conduct feedback sessions with Centres on the curriculum, review the feedback, and make necessary changes to enhance the curriculum.
  • Class Observation and Improvement: Conduct class observations on the implementation of the curriculum and review for necessary improvements.
  • Curriculum and Educational Approach Review: Review and enhance existing curriculum offerings and educational approaches.
  • Competency Gap Identification and Development Plans: Identify competency gaps in the team and develop continual professional development plans.
  • Staff Training and Mentorship: Provide training and mentoring for teaching staff.
  • Classroom Quality Assurance: Ensure quality in classroom observations, documentation of learning, and classroom practices.
  • Learning Environment and Resource Quality Assurance: Ensure quality in the learning environment and adequacy of teaching resources.
  • SPARK Accreditation Support: Support Centres in SPARK accreditation.
  • Virtual Assistance: Provide virtual assistance.

2. Curriculum Specialist Overview

  • PK-5 Curriculum Articulation: Facilitate the vertical articulation of the PK-5 curriculum with emphasis on ELPS, EL differentiation, and ESL, focusing on English Language Arts, Math, Science, or Social Studies.
  • Curriculum Department Assistance: Assist curriculum department staff in selected content areas.
  • Curriculum Material Development: Develop curriculum materials aligned to state standards that include linguistic and academic objectives for EL students.
  • Curriculum Delivery Implementation Plan: Collaborate with key district stakeholders to develop an implementation plan for curriculum delivery.
  • Training Facilitation and Evaluation: Plan, facilitate, present, and evaluate training that supports the aligned curriculum.
  • Instructional Resource Identification: Collaborate with key stakeholders in the identification of appropriate instructional resources for ELs at the campus and district levels.
  • Best Practices for EL Students: Keep current with best practices for EL students in alignment with district goals through professional development and review of resources.
  • District Committee Participation: Serve on district committees as assigned.
  • Class Observation and Teacher Coaching: Observe classes, coach teachers, and model teaching.
  • District Effort Alignment: Collaborate with other district department specialists to ensure alignment of efforts to achieve district goals.
  • Data Collection: Collect data through interviews, workplace shadowing, and research documents.

3. Curriculum Specialist Accountabilities

  • Program Implementation Support: Support teachers and campuses in implementing new and innovative programs.
  • Professional Development Program Assistance: Assist in the development and implementation of district-wide professional development programs.
  • Special Events and Program Leadership: Provide leadership in the coordination of special events and programs related to ELs and curriculum.
  • Policy Compliance Assurance: Ensure compliance with federal, state, local, and district policies, rules, and regulations.
  • Needs Identification through Data Analysis: Identify campus and student needs using analyzed data for each assigned campus.
  • Administrator Communication: Communicate regularly with administrators to sustain timely responses to emerging EL issues.
  • Current Research Dissemination: Disseminate information on current trends and research on dual language, bilingual, ESL, and urban education.
  • Textbook Adoption Assistance: Assist in the textbook adoption process for ESL and correlate newly adopted materials to the district curriculum.
  • Model Teaching and Classroom Assistance: Serve as a model teacher and assist in the classroom setting.
  • Teacher and Leader Coaching: Provide coaching to teachers and school-based content leaders.
  • On-Site School Support: Travel to support schools on-site.

4. Curriculum Specialist Responsibilities

  • K-12 Math and Science Framework Development: Collaborate with regional and school-based leaders to develop and refine a horizontally and vertically aligned K-12 math and science framework.
  • Professional Development Facilitation: Develop and facilitate region-wide professional development for teachers, instructional leaders, and School Leaders to build capacity with math and science content, planning, and instructional execution.
  • Eureka Math Curriculum Implementation: Oversee the full implementation of the Eureka math curriculum across all grade levels, K-8.
  • Amplify Curriculum Implementation: Oversee the full implementation of the Amplify curriculum across grades 3-8.
  • Curriculum Calendar Creation and Revision: Create and revise regional curriculum calendars.
  • Curriculum Standards and Assessment Alignment: Ensure alignment of curriculum to standards and state assessments.
  • Curriculum Liaison Support: Serve as a liaison to school-based content leads with curriculum-related questions.
  • Data Analysis and Needs Identification: Analyze regional data in collaboration with regional and school-based leadership to identify areas of need.
  • Instructional Initiative Support: Support the facilitation of region-wide instructional initiatives that lead to achieving goals.
  • Intervention and Instructional Technology Monitoring: Monitor and evaluate school-based intervention and instructional technology programs.
  • Instructional Reviews: Conduct regular instructional reviews of math and/or science-based instruction.

5. Curriculum Specialist Details

  • Attention to Detail: Provide attention to detail as preparing documents and various correspondence.
  • Professional Development Training: Provide engaging and dynamic professional development training.
  • Coaching and Mentoring: Coach and mentor teachers on curriculum and instruction.
  • Curriculum Mapping Support: Support teachers through the development of curriculum mapping.
  • Content Creation: Write a monthly blog post, and contribute content to monthly email.
  • Client Relationship Management: Maintain a professional relationship with clients over time.
  • Collaboration: Collaborate with other colleagues.
  • Business Development: Connect with leaders to generate new business, develop a scope of work based on their needs, and carry out that work.
  • Strategic Planning: Brainstorm strategies for company growth, positive change, and improvement.
  • Marketing and Branding: Assist with marketing campaigns and brand development.
  • Client Assessment and Strategy: Meet with existing clients to perform an initial assessment, discuss goals, and strategize methods for improvement.
  • Problem Solving: Solve problems through helpful recommendations and practical suggestions.