Instructional Innovation Specialist or Senior Specialist – UVA Innovation Hub

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The UVA Innovation Hub within the School of education and Human Development is seeking an Instructional Specialist or Senior Specialist to support the ongoing partnership between Charlottesville City Schools, UVA School of Education and Human Development, and UVA Center for Community Partnerships.

Embedded at Charlottesville Middle School, the Innovation Hub supports a cohort of Charlottesville Middle School (CMS) teachers in the co-design and delivery of innovative instruction that is:
* Multidisciplinary: Instruction engages multiple core content areas (math, science, social studies, english language arts)
* Student-Centered: Maximizes instructional time dedicated to student-led exploration and inquiry
* Authentically Relevant: Presents meaningful, authentic challenges that are relevant to students and their communities
* Computationally Rich: Explicitly integrates computational thinking skills and VA computer science standards
* Project-Based: Instruction is delivered via hands-on project-based learning methods that develop durable skills

The Innovation Specialist is the primary driver of implementing this instructional framework at CMS. The Innovation Specialist will be partnered with a team of multidisciplinary core content teachers at CMS, known as Innovation Fellows. Together with the Innovation Fellows, the Innovation Specialist will co-design innovative learning experiences according to the Innovation Hub’s instructional framework and the Innovation Specialist will co-teach these learning experiences alongside CMS teachers.

Key Responsibilities
* Work with the Innovation Hub team and Innovation Fellows to develop and improve curriculum that integrates VA computer science standards with core content standards including math, english language arts, science, and social studies.
* Lead hands-on, project-based learning (PBL) experiences for students that leverage community-based resources and physical computing tools including but not limited to the micro:bit.
* Support and facilitate students’ work, encouraging critical thinking, creativity, and computational skills.
* Co-teach with teachers who are new to project-based, computationally-rich (lessons that integrate computer science standards and computational thinking skills) experiences onsite in Charlottesville Middle School classrooms
* Provide instructional coaching to Innovation Fellows regarding project-based learning, student-centered learning, classroom management, and general pedagogical best practices
* Deliver regular professional development sessions, introducing new tools, methodologies, or teaching strategies, to Innovation Fellows
* Implement safety protocols and behavior expectations associated with Charlottesville City Schools and Charlottesville Middle School.
* Engage in professional growth opportunities, conferences, and networks to stay informed about best practices and emerging trends in technology and computer science education.

In addition to the above, this position may also support other duties as assigned.

Knowledge & Skills

* A computer science background at the undergraduate and/or graduate level and/or experience integrating computer science in K-12 school settings

* Experience designing and delivering professional learning or coaching experiences for K-12 teachers

* Experience leading, coaching, and/or mentoring K-12 teachers in the design of standards-based curricula, lesson plans, and project-based-learning experiences

* Experience designing and delivering project-based-learning experiences for English language learners.

Minimum Requirements

Education: Master’s degree required; a Bachelor’s degree plus combination of education/certification/experience may be considered in lieu of Master’s degree as specified by position.

Experience: 2+ years of relevant experience required.

Physical Demands: This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

Additional and Preferred Requirements

Experience: A minimum of 3 years of experience with designing and implementing project-based learning in classroom settings.

Licensure: A valid teaching license issued by the Board of Education in Virginia (or another state) is required, as well as additional endorsement in middle or high school education.

Physical Demands: The Innovation Specialist will be embedded at Charlottesville Middle School and can expect to be physically active, teaching within and moving between classrooms, and preparing and facilitating PBL experiences.

Employment Status: Anticipated salary is $80k-$85k for the specialist role and $90k-$95k for the senior specialist role. This is an exempt-level, benefited position. Learn more about UVA benefits.

Funding Details: This is a restricted position which is contingent upon funding. There will an initial term-limit of 1 year, and could be renewed up to 3 years, depending on performance, program need, and funding availability. Funding for this role is currently available through May 2028, after which time continued employment will depend on program and department need and funding availability.

Work Arrangement: This position is based in Charlottesville, VA, and must be performed fully on-site.

About UVA and the Community: To learn more about UVA and in the Charlottesville area, visit UVA Life and Embark CVA.

Application Timeline: Application review will begin after March 20th, 2026, with an anticipated start date beginning after late May 2026

Background Check: Background checks will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment.

Visa Sponsorship: This position will not consider candidates who require immigration sponsorship now or in the future.

How to Apply: Please apply online, by searching for requisition number R0081264. Complete an application with the following documents:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Upload all materials into the resume submission field. You can submit multiple documents into this one field or combine them into one PDF. Applications without all required documents will not receive full consideration.

Internal applicants:Search and apply for jobs on theUVA Internal Careers website.

Reference Check Process: Reference checks will be completed by UVA’s third-party partner, SkillSurvey, during the final phase of the interview. Five references will be requested, with at least three responses required.

Recruiter Contact: For questions about the application process, please contact Margaret Weeks.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.

The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person’s perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, and family medical or genetic information.

 

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