Instructional Coach (Expert Teacher) Overview Instructional Coach/ Expert Teacher (IC/ET) are exceptional educators who are recognized as models of excellence. IC/ET have at least five years of relevant experience, possess deep expertise in their craft as an outstanding educator, and are able to support the continual development of all teachers. The IC/ET will collaborate/assist the District Academic Department and schools to support the district's improvement, including but not limited to curriculum resource development, professional development facilitation, coaching staff, leading teacher collaboration, and participation in focus groups/additional training, etc.
The Instructional Coach/Expert Teacher will focus on enhancing student learning and achievement leading to improved school performance. In order to accomplish these goals, the Instructional Coach (Expert Teacher) will work with teachers and school administrators to enhance teachers' ability to provide instruction that is engaging, academically rigorous, culturally responsive, builds off students funds of knowledge, and aligned to the district adopted curriculum. The Instructional Coach (Expert Teacher) will focus his/her work on the implementation of school and district priorities and adopted curricula, using student performance data and classroom observations to guide his/her work. Using the structures of department/grade level team meetings, professional development time, and classroom based coaching, the Instructional Coach (Expert Teacher) will work with teachers in small groups and individually to support their improved practice. The School-based Instructional Coach (Expert Teacher) will also be responsible for providing at least one cohort of students with explicit intervention to accelerate their learning and achievement. The Instructional Coach (Expert Teacher) will complete 10 extra work days beyond the teacher's contract in order to support the district (5 days determined by the District CIO- to occur primarily over the summer or DW PD days) and school-based planning (5 days determined by the principal).
Responsibilities Under the direction of District directors and the school principal:
- Thoughtfully and deliberately cultivate collaborative relationships with teachers, administrators and fellow Instructional Coaches (Expert Teachers) in order to effectively influence strong culturally responsive classroom practice.
- Work with the Academic Department and School leadership to ensure cohesive, districtwide use of best practices in coaching, develop/coordinate vertically aligned curriculum, and support consistent instructional practices.
- Work with teachers to ensure their instruction is aligned to the appropriate standards, curriculum, and assessments, as well as to help teachers enhance themselves as learners. This will include, but is not limited to:
- Reviewing and analyzing curriculum resources to ensure teachers have all of the resources they need to address standards.
- Reviewing and analyzing district assessments including ensuring high quality design of assessments
- Understanding the district scope and sequence (across all grade levels)
- Maintain a confidential relationship with teachers in order to observe classroom instruction and offer comprehensive analysis and feedback
- Conducting demonstrations and modeling lessons for classroom teachers
- Lead teacher study groups and/or PLCs to increase content and pedagogical of content instruction
- Attending professional development and sharing new learning with staff
- Provide intervention support to at least one cohort of students (school-based coaches only)
- Support development of curriculum by facilitating work groups
- Cultivate a standards-based, data and results-oriented culture
- Lead and participate in ongoing and job-embedded professional development for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information related to content knowledge, pedagogy and coaching
- Collaborate with teachers, principals, and academic directors in determining appropriate resources and materials for future purchases. Review and revise current curriculum materials to ensure that all resources represent diverse cultural experiences and support anti-racist goals of the district.
- Serve as a resource in identifying appropriate research-based instructional strategies and interventions to improve student learning and achievement
- Serve as content experts/consultants on school-based or district learning walks
Eligibility and Qualifications Instructional Coach (Expert Teacher) Eligibility To qualify as an Instructional Coach (Expert Teacher), you must:
- Demonstrate that you are culturally competent in your teaching, teamwork, and leadership practices
- Commitment to support the implementation of culturally responsive and anti-racist teaching practices to promote equity for all students
- Experience and skill to lead adults on the implementation of effective anti-racist, high-quality teaching practices
- Ability to build strong, supportive relationships with students, teachers, and families
- Experience as a teacher leader or Instructional Coach preferred
- Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred
- Meet the criteria to be an Advanced Teacher
- Completed at least five years of full-time K-12 relevant teaching, successful urban experience preferred
- Possess or able to obtain a Professional Massachusetts teaching license in the content area assigned (Math, ELA/Reading, ESL, Elementary)
- A Master's degree from an accredited college or university
Additional Qualifications - Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Strong interpersonal skills
- High expectations for self and others, and the ability to help others meet those high expectations
- Proven leadership and exceptional ability to lead people
- Ability to organize workload independently and set priorities; to adapt quickly to changing priorities; and perform multiple interrelated tasks under deadline pressures
- Proven track record of strong strategic planning and problem solving
- Understanding of student-centered coaching models
Compensation The annual base salary of Instructional Coaches (Expert Teacher) will be $85,000. Instructional Coaches (Expert Teacher) will be reviewed and re-appointed every two years based on effectiveness in the role.
