Instructional Specialist

Description

Location: Remote, based in Virginia, preferably in Northern Virginia (Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, or Stafford counties); also open to candidates in Henrico, Chesterfield, and surrounding areas.

This is a remote position with no regular office attendance required. However, the role involves frequent travel (up to 75%) to schools and districts across Virginia to provide in-person support to teachers and school partners.

Love What You Do and Why You Do It! 

Since 1987, Participate Learning has partnered with schools and districts to prepare students for career success through cultural exchange, dual language programs, and global learning. We help students build bilingual fluency, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking skills to apply their learning in real-world settings and across any career path.

What You’ll Do:

The Instructional Specialist (IS) is responsible for supporting the instructional success, professional growth, and retention of Participate Learning's international educators. Through coaching, professional learning, instructional support, and strategic collaboration, the IS helps international teachers thrive in U.S. classrooms and adapt successfully to their new school communities.

Working closely with the Instructional Support Manager and cross-functional teams, the Instructional Specialist provides individualized and group support to teachers throughout their Participate Learning experience. This includes planning, creating, and facilitating onboarding; providing instructional coaching; supporting curriculum planning and delivery; identifying and addressing instructional challenges; and partnering with school administrators to promote teacher success.

The Instructional Specialist serves as a trusted coach and resource for teachers, providing timely virtual and in-person support focused on instructional effectiveness, student engagement, cultural adaptation, and professional growth. This role requires proactive problem-solving, strong relationship-building skills, and a commitment to delivering high-quality support that contributes to teacher satisfaction and retention.

Teaching experience in a K–12 public school setting is required. Experience as an instructional coach is preferred but not required. 

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

• Provide instructional coaching and professional support to international educators through virtual and in-person interactions, helping teachers strengthen instructional practices, classroom management, curriculum implementation, and student engagement.
• Train and support international teachers as they adapt to their new roles and environments in U.S. schools throughout their five-year participation as Ambassador Teachers, with the most intensive support provided during their first year. Support will include onboarding and orientation, cultural and professional adaptation, instructional performance and development.
• Manage teacher support cases by identifying concerns, coordinating solutions, documenting actions, and partnering with school, district, and Participate Learning stakeholders to ensure timely resolutions.
• Conduct classroom observations and school visits, providing actionable feedback, modeling, coaching, resources, and follow-up support to promote teacher success.
• Build collaborative relationships with teachers, school administrators, district personnel, and internal teams to ensure a consistent, high-quality program experience.
• Facilitate professional learning opportunities, teacher communications, and engagement initiatives that foster community, instructional excellence, and retention.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of resources, projects, and program initiatives that enhance teacher support, program quality, and organizational goals.
• Apply sound judgment, cultural responsiveness, and effective communication skills when addressing complex situations, supporting educators, and upholding Participate Learning policies and expectations.

Success in This Role

Successful Instructional Specialists build strong relationships, provide high-quality coaching and support, and help international educators thrive in U.S. schools and communities. They contribute to teacher success and retention through responsive problem-solving, effective collaboration, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Success is measured by teacher outcomes and retention, achievement of key program milestones, quality of coaching and support provided, effective management and documentation of educator concerns, and contributions to team and organizational goals.

Experience You Bring:

• Knowledge of effective instructional practices, classroom management, and teacher development.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze challenges, identify solutions, and manage complex situations with sound judgment and professionalism.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to prioritize competing responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with digital tools and technology platforms used for communication, collaboration, documentation, and virtual learning.
• Commitment to cultural responsiveness, equity, and supporting educators from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends to support teacher events, professional learning, and program needs.
• Spanish language proficiency is preferred, but not required.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Education or a related field.
• 3+ years of K–12 teaching experience
• Experience coaching, mentoring, or supporting teachers in a professional learning capacity.

Travel required

• Up to 75% travel to schools and districts across Virginia.

About You

• Passionate about learning and welcoming people from all over the world, learning about their culture, and sharing your own culture and experiences.
• Passion for global perspectives - languages, cultures, travel, etc. We value a deep interest in exploring the diverse facets of our interconnected world. 
• We are looking for impact makers who believe in using their career as a force for good. 
• Eager to make a difference for today and tomorrow
• Flexible with your time and energy and willing to expand beyond the day-to-day expectations of your work. (And the company reciprocates with flexibility!)
• Cameras on during most Zoom meetings - we want to see your smile. 
• Believe global education is for everyone!

What You’ll Love About Us: 

Headquartered in Chapel Hill, NC, one of the essential measures of the success of our business is the positive impact we make on our employees. Our work inspires everyone to be change agents.

• Attractive benefit coverage for medical, dental, and vision
• Company paid long-term, short-term disability, and life insurance
• Paid Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Generous Vacation and Separate Sick Time
• Wellness Program
• Adoption Assistance
• Infant-At-Work and Bring Your Dog to Work Program
• Cell Phone Reimbursement
• Fully-Stocked Kitchen
• Volunteer Time Off
• Professional Development Funds