Infant and Toddler Instructional Coach

## Description

**POSITION SUMMARY:**

The Instructional Coach is a critical lever in improving student achievement. The role of the coach is to build teacher capacity, and their understanding of instructional practices as related to standards-aligned instruction and Data-Driven Instruction. An instructional coach is a learner who models continuous improvement, lifelong learning, and goes above and beyond to ensure student success. All instructional coaches work collaboratively as a team with building administrators and instructional leadership staff. Instructional coaches will promote reflection, provide guidance and structure where needed, and focus on strengths, collaboration, and common issues of concern. They are responsible for ensuring high-quality instruction in classrooms through modeling, co-planning, co-teaching, and providing feedback to teachers. The instructional coach will demonstrate and model a passion for urban education reform and leadership. This is not a supervisory position and does not include evaluation of colleagues. UCC School Staff are dedicated, compassionate, highly effective, reflective, collaborative, culturally responsive, and committed to the academic and social-emotional development of all students.

# ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Roles and responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to

• Provide modeling of effective instructional techniques and data collection/analysis within PD sessions, co-teaching, staff meetings, and 1:1 conversation with teaching staff.
• Support the instructional development of all teachers in understanding the CCSS curriculum and varied assessments, the Framework for Teaching, and data analysis.
• Build strong relationships with teachers, administrators, and other coaches.
• Provide direction and coordination for how the curriculum is taught, consistent with District initiatives and recognized best instructional practices.
• Create an articulated schedule with the building administration.
• Assist teachers in understanding the United Community Center’s mission and core values.
• Provide technical support to collaborative teams within buildings.
• Support the onboarding of newly hired staff by providing information on school expectations, lesson plan preparation, professional culture, and curriculum and instructional practices.
• Recommend professional resources, tools, and materials to teachers that will support and enhance classroom instruction and planning.
• Support teachers and administrators in using data to improve instruction on all levels.
• Support with data and assessment coordination (coordination of standardized testing, data discussions with teams, compiling and analyzing data for school leadership and staff)
• Assist teachers with intentional planning and pacing of lessons, the development of differentiated lessons, and the selection of best practices to meet the needs of their students.
• Support teachers by helping with share multiple instructional strategies/processes with teachers during planning times.
• Informally observe (non-evaluative) lessons and provide feedback for a teacher’s professional growth and students’ success.
• Develop staff members’ knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors through a variety of professional development targeted topics and designs.
• Develop coaching plans for teachers to ensure student improvement.
• Utilize Adult Learning Theory to motivate adult learners to improve professional practice.
• Contribute to the development systems and structures to improve teacher practice within schools.
• Provide job-embedded informal professional learning beyond the coaching responsibility.
• Submit a weekly coaching log and any pertinent data requests/coaching documentation to the building principal.
• Attend summer training sessions and any professional development identified by building and/or district administration.
• Discuss set weekly instructional goals by building administrators for teachers and assist in designing an observation schedule to provide feedback on teachers’ progress in meeting those goals;
• Oversee curriculum development and student assessment-related systems;
• Support special education and ELL inclusion program, monitor the effectiveness of inclusion, and provide feedback and support to create a high-quality inclusion program;
• Develop and lead instructional professional development
• Monitor academic progress of students throughout the year
• Engage in weekly PLC meetings with grade levels and/or subject area teams as determined by the building principal.

# TEAM MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP

• Develop and support a culture of reflective practice among teachers
• Effectively collaborate with school administrators, teachers, colleagues, families.
• Plan and support facilitation of professional development
• Develop positive interpersonal relationships among staff members
• Provide consistent and high academic and behavioral expectations for students
• Communicate effectively with school administrators, students, families, and colleagues

# CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT DESIGN

• Communicates effectively with building and district administrators.
• Facilitate weekly meetings to analyze student work, review information regarding classroom assessments, and plan for instruction
• Review teacher lesson plans and instructional practices regularly to ensure alignment with school goals and fidelity of implementation of school curriculum programs and practices.
• Ensure student mastery of state and school academic and behavioral standards;
• Design and implement assessments that measure progress towards academic standards;
• Use assessment data to refine curriculum and inform instructional practices;
• Provide feedback to building and district leadership on the development, implementation, and revision of curriculum maps

# INSTRUCTION, PLANNING, & PREPARATION

Support and coach teachers effectively …

• Develop standards-based, developmentally appropriate lesson plans in alignment with school curriculum and instructional expectations.
• Ensure classroom instruction is coherent and includes differentiated strategies and scaffolds for diverse learners.
• Outline clear instructional outcomes aligned to curriculum and grade-level expectations.
• Demonstrate deep knowledge of content and pedagogy, and expertise in assigned subject area/grade level.
• Integrate knowledge of students’ backgrounds, interests, and learning styles into planning.
• Administer, select, and prepare formative and summative assessments to monitor student learning.
• Deliver engaging, rigorous, and grade-appropriate instruction.
• Use questioning and discussion techniques that promote critical thinking and student voice.
• Differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all learners, including English language learners and students with IEPs.

Check for understanding and adjust instruction in real time based on student needs.

# CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT & IMPLEMENTATION

Support and coach teachers effectively …

• Implement all school curriculum programs and instructional practices with fidelity, following guidelines of the school, district, and state.
• Plan and deliver effective lessons that facilitate active learning and accommodate different learning styles.
• Differentiate instruction to meet diverse academic needs, learning styles, and language proficiencies.
• Integrate technology and innovative teaching methods to enhance classroom learning experiences.
• Implement instructional activities that contribute to a climate where students are actively engaged in meaningful learning experiences.
• Identify, select, & modify instructional resources to meet the needs of learners with varied backgrounds, learning styles & special needs.
• Assist in discussing and assessing changing curricular needs and offering plans for improvement.
• Ensure that student growth and achievement are continuous, appropriate for the age group, and follow the curriculum’s scopes, sequences, and guidelines.

# STUDENT ASSESSMENT

Support and coach teachers effectively …

• Coordinate regular assessments to evaluate students’ progress and understanding of the curriculum.
• Collect and analyze student assessment data on an ongoing basis, and uses data to inform planning, groupings, and future instruction.
• Promote student ownership of learning through goal setting, self-assessment, and reflection.
• Identify learning challenges and develop strategies to support students with diverse needs.
• Assume responsibility for meeting student performance goals, IEP goals, etc.
• Demonstrates gains in student performance, achievement, and growth over time as a result of instructional coaching practices implemented with teachers.
• Supports the management and implementation of local, state, and national assessments as required by the school and grade level.

# CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT

Support and coach teachers effectively …

• Creates a safe, inclusive, and respectful classroom climate in which students are encouraged to be actively engaged in the learning process.
• Maintain a positive and inclusive classroom environment conducive to learning with clear expectations, routines, and procedures for student behavior.
• Implement consistent and effective classroom management strategies with classroom rules and behavior expectations, promoting respectful and responsible behavior.
• Use proactive, positive reinforcement strategies to encourage appropriate behavior.
• Recognize and celebrate student successes to build confidence and motivation.
• Effectively monitor and supervise students at all times.
• Maintains order of students and class in the classroom, cafeteria, hallways, playground, and across the school environment.
• Manage student behavior proactively and respectfully using positive behavior supports across the school environment.
• Maintain a well-organized, structured, inviting, and culturally responsive physical space.

# COMMUNICATION & FAMILY ENGAGEMENT

• Communicates effectively both orally and in writing, with students, teachers, administration, and other professionals on a regular basis using school-selected communication platforms.
• Builds trust and rapport with students, families, and colleagues to effectively support student achievement and growth.
• Models professional and ethical standards when dealing with students, parents, peers and community.
• Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with students, parents and other professionals.
• Share academic and behavioral updates in a clear, empathetic, and strengths-based manner.
• Collaborate with students, families, counselors, support staff, and school administrators when addressing student needs or concerns.
• Participate and contribute to school events or family engagement opportunities.

#