Montana Online Teacher Education Coordinator

In September of 2022, the EPI Yellowstone program—in coordination with EPI’s Online Curriculum and Educator Training supervisor—started developing an online professional development series for Montana secondary science educators. This program, hereafter referred to as the Montana Science Teaching Institute (MSTI), is designed to introduce science teachers across Montana to resources and teaching strategies that can help them connect Montana content standards to online models and real-life field research, in away that promotes student inquiry and brings the standards to life! To date, two cohorts of educators have completed the 6-hour training series, and the third cohort will run through the month of April.

We are looking for a passionate science educator to join our team who can help us continue these efforts through the summer and the start of the 2023-24 school year, promoting a community of practice comprising science educators from across the state and helping EPI extend our impact! The ideal candidate will have experience in the classroom and an understanding of teachers needs, the experience to support Montana educators in making connections between EPI’s online resources and state content standards, and a commitment to building relationships with teachers and administrators to promote and deliver quality professional development to Montana science teachers.

In order to support the diversity of MSTI teacher participants and EPI staff, it is critical that the Teacher Education Coordinator has the skills to constructively address implicit bias and be culturally responsive in interpersonal communication, program planning, and program implementation.

Accountability: The Montana Online Teacher Education Coordinator will report to the Yellowstone Program Manager.

Location/Schedule: This is a part-time, fixed-term position. We have a preference for candidates who can be based at the main EPI office in Missoula, but will consider remote candidates as well. Preferred start date is between May 1 and June 1, and projected end date is between August 15 and September 30, 2023—with the potential of extending the position, dependent on funding and employee interest and performance. The schedule will be variable, based on the timing and schedule of online Professional Development deliverables, and may include some recruitment-related travel across Montana. Average hours worked—over the course of the 4 to 5-month position—will be 20-25 per week.

Responsibilities:

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with Montana teachers and school administrators that advance MSTI program goals. This may include in-person recruitment and relationship-building trips, email campaigns, or other media campaigns to attract participants and district engagement;
• Work with Yellowstone program manager to set teacher recruitment strategy and big picture online PD program planning;
• Support the delivery of online teacher education modules and resources;
• Other tasks as assigned by supervisor.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Education degree, teaching certificate, or equivalent experience in science education, preferably in a formal classroom environment;

• Prior experience building relationships with school districts and curriculum departments to develop, recruit for, and deliver science education professional development programs;
• Experience teaching online curriculum and resources related to environmental education, specifically as part of a Professional Development or Teacher Education program;

• Passion for education, science, wildlife conservation, and place-based learning;

• Demonstrated teamwork and interpersonal communication skills;
• A punctual, detail-oriented, thorough, and independent approach to work;
• Strong presentation skills and ability to capture a variety of audiences – specifically teachers and school administrators;
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including some evening and weekend hours;
• Willingness to travel to visit communities throughout the state of Montana:

• Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and demonstrated ability to work effectively with partners and participants from diverse backgrounds;
• Knowledge of and experience with Microsoft software (Word, Powerpoint, etc.), online collaboration tools including BOX and Zoom, and online teaching platforms (e.g., Nearpod);

• English fluency;
• Legally able to work in the US.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in Education, Science, or related field;
• Two or more years of relevant work experience in experiential programs focused on outdoor education, inquiry-based science, conservation, conservation, or similar;
• Existing relationships in Montana schools and school districts, and experiential knowledge of the Montana teacher PD landscape.