Job Title: Consulting Teacher

In 2014, the Boston Public Schools and the Boston Teachers Union established a Peer Assistance and Review (PAR) program.

The mission of PAR is to strengthen student learning and teacher performance across the district with coaching and evaluation that feels fair, transparent, and humane to all stakeholders.  PAR is a voluntary program that supports, develops, and is responsible for the evaluation of teachers who are not currently rated as Proficient on the DESE rubric. Consulting teachers (CTs) are veteran BTU teachers who each support a caseload of up to 12 teachers. A consulting teacher will work with each of their participating teachers to identify areas of improvement, develop specific performance goals, support and monitor the progress of their teachers, collect evidence, and make evaluative judgments. At the end of the evaluation cycle, the consulting teachers will make summative evaluation rating recommendations to the PAR Panel for each participating teacher.  

Note: This role is intended to be an extended working sabbatical. According to the 2014 Memorandum of Agreement between BTU and BPS, CTs must be hired from the ranks of permanent teachers and may serve in the position for no more than 4 years. After that time, the CT will have a right to return to a position in their program area. Also, upon leaving a position as a CT, no BTU member may take a position as an administrator in the Boston Public Schools for one year.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Consulting teacher responsibilities include:

1. Serving as a coach/mentor for teachers on their caseload. This could include:
1. Maintaining a trusting and professional relationship with teachers.
2. Providing regular feedback on lessons.
3. Co-teaching, modeling, co-planning.
4. Reviewing IEPs, student work and other data.
5. Identifying peer models and facilitating opportunities for peer observation.
6. Identifying professional development and other resources.
7. Goal-setting, counseling and other individualized supports as needed.

1. Serving as the primary evaluator for teachers on their caseload. This includes:
1. Observing teachers and posting observations on the district evaluation platform. In most cases, this should include at least 1 announced and at least 4 unannounced observations during an evaluation cycle.
2. Completing a formative assessment for each teacher.
3. Completing a summative evaluation recommendation for each teacher.
4. Presenting evidence and rating recommendations to the PAR Panel, who will determine final evaluation ratings.
2. Communicating regularly with administrator(s), the PAR Panel, and other stakeholders.
3. Documenting collaborative work with the participating teacher.
4. Maintaining confidentiality between participating teacher, the PAR Panel and the administrator(s).
5. Performing other duties as determined by the CT and the PAR Panel. In the past, these duties have included:
1. Helping to administer the PAR Program and co-facilitating PAR Panel meetings.
2. Administering the bostonpar.org website.
3. Leading professional development sessions for teachers, administrators, and/or coaches.
4. Offering coaching and feedback to BPS teachers who might not be eligible for PAR.
5. Promoting the PAR Program through personal appearances, information sessions, and promotional writings (BTU newspaper and email bulletins).
6. Serving on district-wide committees.

Qualifications - Required:

1. Must be current permanent teacher in Boston Public Schools with at least ten years teaching experience (at least eight years in BPS).
2. Experience working with children in Early Childhood and/or Elementary age groups.
3. Valid Massachusetts teachers license
4. Masters Degree
5. Demonstrated commitment to diversity, ensuring all students access to the highest quality instruction, and closing the achievement gap
6. Mastery of pedagogical and subject matter skills
7. Demonstrated expertise in implementing standards-based instruction
8. Strong interpersonal and oral and written communication skills
9. Knowledge and experience working effectively with adult learners
10. Demonstrated commitment to professional growth, reflection and continual learning
11. Comfort working in an evolving program
12. Ability to travel between multiple school sites
13. Ability to attend monthly evening meetings of the PAR Panel
14. Current authorization to work in the United States - Candidates must have such authorization by their first day of employment 

Qualifications - Preferred:

1. Experience working as a coach/mentor for other teachers.
2. Outstanding presentation and facilitation skills with successful experience designing and delivering professional learning opportunities for adult learners.
3. Effective time management skills to plan and organize work to meet schedules and deadlines in more than one location. 
4. Comfort interfacing with all levels of school, district, and union leadership.
5. Ability to create trusting relationships; strong reputation as a collaborator.
6. Ability to work independently and in a collaborative team environment.
7. Comfort with handling multiple projects simultaneously as well as working with rapidly shifting priorities and targets.
8. High attention to detail.
9. Demonstrated growth toward cultural proficiency.
10. Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of relationship of equity, access and opportunity.

This position reports to the PAR Panel. For questions relating to this position contact PAR Panel Co-Chairs Erik Berg (eberg@btu.org) or Jerome Doherty (jdoherty7@bostonpublicschools.org) or visit the Boston PAR website at bostonpar.org.

Screening Criteria: The PAR Panel will manage the central screening for this position.

Terms: Work year 183 work days + 18 hours + 2.5 additional hours/week during the school year.  

Compensation: Base BTU salary plus 5% for 2.5 additional work hours per week. Compensation will be retirement worthy.

As an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer we actively seek applications from candidates of color, women, and candidates committed to our focus on children.

The Boston Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, does not discriminate in its programs, facilities, or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, age, criminal record (inquiries only), disability, homelessness, sex/gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetics or military status, and does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individuals’ dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.