Heart of MO-RPDC Teacher Recruitment & Retention Specialist

The purpose of the Teacher Recruitment and Retention Specialist is to address teacher shortages in Local Education Agencies (LEAs) through intentional and targeted strategies in the Heart of MO-RPDC, Region 2 area.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

The expected outcome for this effort is to increase teacher retention and recruitment rates.

SPECIALIZED SKILLS

Teacher Recruitment and Retention Specialists will have the following skills:

o   Demonstrated administrative and organizational skills such as strategic planning, analytical thinking, setting deadlines, and evaluating progress is required.

o   Strong ability to understand the context of a program and how it affects program planning, implementation, outcomes, and evaluation.

o   Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.

o   Strong communication skills to be able to provide clear and concise written and verbal reports.

o   Skill in oral and written presentation of complex ideas to college and university personnel, private providers, and others involved in teacher education.

o   Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with public officials, departmental personnel, college/university officials, private providers, school administrators, and the general public.

o   Strong facilitation skills in working with diverse teams.

o   Ability to collaborate and implement a shared leadership model.

SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE

Teacher Recruitment and Retention Specialists will have the following knowledge and/or experience:

o   At least five (5) years of successful teaching or school administrative experience.

o   At least two (2) years of experience leading complex projects and/or initiatives.

OVERALL PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

Teacher Recruitment and Retention Specialists will:

o   Collaboratively work across the state to implement regional MO Teacher Development System (MTDS) technical assistance and programming, including:

• Participate in various groups and teams to develop MTDS materials and resources.
• Facilitate regional MTDS programs (Emerging Level I & II, Teacher Academy and Teacher Academy Grads).
• Understand, promote, and implement the Missouri Teacher Development System Framework.
• Work collaboratively to develop program evaluation methods and data collection instruments.
• Host regional MTDS information sessions to provide grant application and planning guidance.
• Reviews, approves, and evaluates teacher recruitment and retention grants and teacher education grants according to established grant guidelines.
• Provides TA to districts that apply for teacher recruitment and retention grants and for teacher education grants.
• Develop regional networking cohorts to support and serve as a resource for teacher recruitment and retention and teacher education grant administrators and GYO program designers and coordinators.
• Provide resources for grant recipients.
• Engage in ongoing collaborative planning, production, implementation, and evaluation for MTDS programming.
• Participate in program implementation monitoring, evaluation processes, and ongoing data reporting for MTDS programming.
• Provide assistance to DESE, and external researchers in gathering and reporting data and impact strategies related to teacher recruitment, retention, and teacher education grants.

Attend and participate in monthly, multi-day meetings, as directed by the Director of the Heart of MO-RPDC and funding agent.

Create and complete reports and assessments of progress as needed.

The Recruitment and Retention Specialist is expected to travel statewide as necessary.  The specialist is expected to possess a valid MO drivers license.

Other duties as assigned by the Heart of MO-RPDC Director.