Position Objective

The Faculty Learning Liaison at BranchED’s BIRCH Professional Learning Center plays a key role in supporting teacher educators (higher education and district level) in implementing quality programming at scale and supporting the BIRCH Director to drive the Center’s mission of delivering impactful professional development and resources for teacher educators across the nationwide BranchED community. In collaboration with the BIRCH team, BranchED centers, and external partners, the Faculty Learning Liaison is responsible for providing coaching, professional development, and resources to faculty and district personnel to strengthen individual and program capacity in a variety of content areas (e.g., early literacy), and supporting the design, development, and delivery of dynamic, human-centered learning experiences. These experiences are carefully crafted to ensure that learners can achieve the desired outcomes in a goal-oriented way, all while aligning with the BranchED design framework. By focusing on the learner’s needs and the overall educational goals, the Faculty Learning Liaison helps create a transformative experience that empowers educators.

Core Responsibilities

Coaching & Faculty Support:

Provide individualized, performance-based coaching to faculty to enhance teaching effectiveness.
Support faculty in implementing evidence-based teaching strategies for future educators.
Assist faculty in aligning course content with state and national teaching standards, learning objectives, and assessment strategies.
Guide faculty in designing high-quality, practice-based learning experiences for teacher candidates.
Assist faculty in integrating technology-enhanced learning tools that support teacher preparation.
Facilitate faculty learning communities to promote collaborative professional growth.
Support faculty in developing meaningful assessments that align with teaching competencies.
Facilitate collaboration and sharing of promising practices between/among educator preparation programs (EPPs) and districts.
Design agendas for professional development sessions and coaching calls.

Instructional Design (for both virtual and in-person learning events):

Design virtual and in-person professional development to build and strengthen EPP and district capacity.
Develop tools and resources that provide templates, practical examples, and guidance to aid in continuous improvement efforts.
Provide input on BranchED professional learning themes.
Support design of learning events, including learner objectives, slide decks, audio, visual, and interactive media aids, and corresponding instructional materials.
Work with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) in developing learning events/materials.
Plan and create assessments aligned with the Kirkpatrick evaluation model.
Ensure learning events meet all BranchED processes and procedures aligned with our IACET accreditation.
Use participant feedback to continually improve learning events and materials.
Leverage instructional technology tools and platforms to enhance both virtual and in-person learning experiences enhancing engagement and accessibility for all participants.
Stay abreast with the field of instructional design, professional learning, and educator preparation to design innovative, inclusive, and rigorous programming.
Document discussions, work completed, and next steps through meeting notes.
Ensure appropriate and timely documentation, reporting, and escalation.

Co-Facilitation of Learning Events:

Assist with co-facilitation of engaging learning events across multiple formats tailored to meet audience needs as needed.
Contribute to the development of high-quality publications, toolkits, and resources aligned with organizational frameworks to support our Core Community in achieving their professional goals.
Implement regular calls with EPPs and districts to move projects forward toward the completion of their scopes of work and in alignment with their goals.
Assist EPPs, districts, and other stakeholders in the use of BranchED tools.
Work one-on-one with faculty and district personnel to help them prioritize and sequence their continuous improvement efforts.

Other:

Contributes to a high-performing and mission-driven team necessary to achieve organizational strategic priorities.
Helps cultivate an intentional organizational culture representing organizational values.
Researches and stays abreast of national/state landscape issues and developments that impact BranchED (education, accreditation, nonprofit organizations, etc.).
Adapts to changing business needs and priorities as required.
Other duties as assigned.

Requirements: Education, Experience, and Travel

A terminal degree in education. ABDs may apply so long as the terminal degree conferral takes place prior to employment.
At least 5 years' work experience teaching in higher education, preferably in teacher preparation.
A background in early literacy preferred.
Experience working in or with MSIs, a demonstration of extensive knowledge of MSI environments, or a desire to learn about and support MSIs.
The position requires regular travel, including but not limited to headquarters in Peachtree City, GA, various university/district sites, conferences and convenings, and an annual staff retreat.

Qualities and Attributes

Committed to working collaboratively to reshape and improve educator preparation and development.
Ability to anticipate needs and future opportunities.
Creative problem-solver with ability to identify and address issues proactively.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and willingness to “roll-up sleeves” to get things done.
Ability to build authentic relationships.
A positive attitude, high degree of flexibility, curiosity to learn, creativity, dedication, resourcefulness, and energy.
Self-directed and capable of working to meet quick turnaround and deadlines independently.

Compensation and Benefits

The starting salary range is $81,250 - $101,500.

BranchED offers the following benefits to full-time employees:

Medical insurance with up to 100% employer contribution Dental, vision, FSA, life and disability insurance plans.
401 (K) retirement plan with an employer match up to 6% of your compensation.
Generous time off including 18 days of paid time off (to be taken for sickness or vacation) and 8 organization-wide paid holidays, as well as a winter break from December 24 through January 1 and a summer break the week of July 4.
Paid parental leave.
Individual wellness wallets to contribute to employee wellbeing.
Organization-wide and working group training.