The Department will issue Educational Specialist
Certificates to persons whose primary responsibility is to render professional
service other than classroom teaching. The service shall be directly related to
the personal welfare of the learner and may include service for the needs of
other professional personnel working with learners. Candidates for Educational
Specialist Certificates shall be able to help students achieve under Chapter 4
(relating to academic standards and assessment). Educational specialist
certificates will be issued to candidates who meet the following
standards:
(1) The educational
specialist understands the central concepts, structures and delivery styles of
the professional area in which the educational specialist practices and can
foster learning experiences for all students.
(2) The educational specialist understands
how all children learn and develop, and can contribute to the provision of
learning opportunities that support their intellectual, social, career and
personal development.
(3) The
educational specialist understands how students differ in their ability and
approaches to learning and creates opportunities that are adapted to diverse
learners.
(4) The educational
specialist understands and uses a variety of professional strategies to
encourage students' development of critical thinking, problem solving and
performance skills.
(5) The
educational specialist uses an understanding of individual and group motivation
and behavior to create a learning environment that encourages positive social
interaction, active engagement in learning and self-motivation.
(6) The educational specialist uses knowledge
of effective verbal, nonverbal, and media communication techniques supported by
appropriate technology to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive
interaction in and out of the classroom.
(7) The educational specialist plans
professional services based upon knowledge of the professional field, students,
the community and curriculum goals.
(8) The educational specialist understands
and uses formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and ensure the
continuous intellectual, social and physical development of the
learner.
(9) The educational
specialist thinks systematically about practice, learns from experience, seeks
the advice of others, draws upon educational research and scholarship and
actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally.
(10) The educational specialist contributes
to school effectiveness by collaborating with other educators and parents, by
using community resources, and by working as an advocate for change to improve
opportunities for student learning.
