The University of Iowa

College of Education

Scanlan Center for School Mental Health

Baker Teacher Leader Center

Professional Learning Specialist

Hourly Position (5-12 hours/week)

Hourly Rate: $30

Position

The University of Iowa College of Education's Scanlan Center for School Mental Health and Baker Teacher Leader Center invite applications for a part-time Professional Learning Specialist. This flexible hourly position averages 5-12 hours per week and provides support for the development, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of professional learning, online learning, district partnerships, and service-learning initiatives that advance educator effectiveness and student success across Iowa.

The position offers flexible scheduling with primarily remote work. Occasional travel to schools and educational organizations throughout Iowa is required.

Description

We are seeking an experienced educational leader with extensive PreK-12 experience who is passionate about supporting educators through high-quality professional learning.

The Professional Learning Specialist will work closely with the leadership teams of the Scanlan Center for School Mental Health and the Baker Teacher Leader Center to assist in designing, coordinating, facilitating, and evaluating professional learning experiences for educators, administrators, school mental health professionals, and school districts.

This position is ideal for a retired or semi-retired school administrator, instructional leader, curriculum director, or experienced educator who enjoys continuing to make a meaningful impact on schools while maintaining a flexible work schedule.

Applicants should possess exceptional organizational skills, strong written and verbal communication abilities, and experience leading professional learning initiatives within school systems. The successful candidate will be comfortable working independently, managing multiple projects simultaneously, and collaborating with university faculty, school personnel, and community partners.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Assist with the planning, coordination, and delivery of in-person, virtual, and hybrid professional learning experiences.
• Develop and revise online professional learning modules using Canvas and other digital learning platforms.
• Create participant resources, facilitator guides, implementation tools, and learning materials.
• Assist with district partnership projects, including customized professional development planning and implementation.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff to translate research into practical learning resources for educators.
• Support the coordination of conferences, workshops, webinars, institutes, and community learning events.
• Travel to schools and educational organizations to assist with professional learning delivery and relationship development.
• Assist with evaluation activities, including participant feedback, outcome measurement, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Help develop service-learning opportunities connecting University of Iowa faculty, students, and community partners.
• Assist with project management for multiple professional learning initiatives occurring simultaneously.
• Provide coaching and consultation to educators and school leaders as appropriate.
• Collaborate with marketing and communications staff to develop materials supporting professional learning opportunities.
• Other duties as assigned that support the missions of the Scanlan Center for School Mental Health and the Baker Teacher Leader Center.

Preferred Qualifications

Applicants should possess:

• Master's degree or higher in Education, Educational Leadership, Curriculum and Instruction, School Administration, School Counseling, Special Education, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of successful experience in PreK-12 education.
• Administrative experience within a PreK-12 school or district preferred.
• Demonstrated experience designing, coordinating, or delivering professional learning for educators and school leaders.
• Experience facilitating adult learning using evidence-based professional development practices.
• Strong understanding of school improvement, educator development, and systems-level implementation.
• Experience working collaboratively with a broad range of school stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational, project management, and communication skills.
• Experience using learning management systems (Canvas preferred), Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Zoom, and other educational technology tools.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively as a collaborative team member.
• Willingness and ability to travel periodically throughout Iowa.

Desired Characteristics

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Passion for improving educational outcomes through educator learning.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Initiative, flexibility, and creativity.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Commitment to producing high-quality work.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Professionalism when representing the University of Iowa and the College of Education.
• Commitment to continuous learning and improvement.