Instructional Coach

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Position Title

Instructional Coach

New Way Academy

New Way Academy is an independent, K-12 day school in Phoenix, Arizona. Our mission is to create a dynamic school experience that empowers children with learning differences to maximize their potential and prepare for life beyond our doors. We continually strive to provide exemplary educational instruction, state-of-the-art remediation for areas of challenge, optimal social experiences, and the opportunity to unlock strengths and talents. As a result, New Way develops confident lifelong learners who lead enhanced, productive lives and serve as positive examples of what individuals with learning differences can achieve.

New Way’s core values of respect, community, ownership, quality and engagement are at the heart of all that we do. New Way Academy is dedicated to approaching justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives with an intentional global mindset that places value and recognition on the diverse community members of New Way.

Description

The Instructional Coach serves as an instructional mentor and leader for the K-12 faculty. This role is dedicated to elevating the quality of instruction through observation, feedback, and the facilitation of weekly professional development.

Unlike an administrative role focused on evaluation, the Instructional Coach partners with teachers to implement best practices in special education, analyze student data to drive instruction, and ensure curriculum alignment. The Instructional Coach supports the overarching mission of the school by ensuring that every student receives engaging, relevant, and rigorous instruction tailored to their learning differences.

Responsibilities

Instructional Leadership & Professional Development

Lead Weekly PD: Design, organize, and facilitate weekly professional development meetings based on identified teacher needs and school-wide strategic goals.
Teacher Mentorship: Provide ongoing leadership and modeling of instructional practice. This includes supporting the implementation of:
- Best practices in special education and differentiation
- Kagan cooperative learning structures
- Backwards-design unit and lesson planning processes
- Effective classroom management strategies
Pedagogical Guidance: Possess a clear and effective pedagogy that embodies the belief that instruction must be rigorous and accessible; communicate this pedagogy effectively to faculty to build a cohesive academic culture.
Onboarding: Assist in the onboarding and training of new academic staff regarding New Way’s specific instructional methodologies.

Curriculum and Assessment

Curriculum Alignment: Collaborate with K-12 academic teachers to develop vertically aligned and rigorous curricula to meet students’ needs; analyze curricula across levels to identify opportunities for improvement.
Assessment Coordination: Implement the plan for standardized assessment (i.e., MAP) across levels, including administration logistics and the communication of results to stakeholders.
Data Analysis: Lead the data analysis process, helping teachers interpret assessment results to make appropriate instructional adjustments and flexible student groupings.
Reporting: Manage the review process of quarterly reports generated by teachers to ensure quality and accuracy.

Collaboration and Strategy

Strategic Planning: The Instructional Coach is a 10-month position aligning with the academic calendar. However, the Coach will collaborate with the leadership team to identify specific summer work weeks to accomplish strategic initiatives and curriculum mapping.
Special Education Expertise: Maintain a deep understanding of special education instructional practices, including accommodations, modifications, and the nuances of specific diagnoses (Dyslexia, ADHD, etc.).

Characteristics & Qualities

Exemplar Educator: A leader with a history of high performance as a classroom teacher, capable of modeling instructional best practices for staff.
Educational Advocate: A confident and knowledgeable advocate for students with learning differences.
Proactive Leader: An intuitive decision-maker who anticipates the needs of the team before they arise.
Adaptive Communicator: An effective communicator with the ability to adjust their tone and style to match the audience and situation.
Operational Expert: A professional with strong executive functioning skills capable of balancing immediate daily demands with essential long-term administrative duties.
Strategic Thinker: A leader who is energized by big-picture planning and the execution of strategic initiatives.
Active Listener & Learner: Demonstrates deep active listening skills to ensure stakeholders feel heard, and exhibits a growth mindset by graciously accepting and acting upon feedback.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

Regularly works in standard office or classroom conditions and climate, occasionally works outdoors in varying weather conditions and climate
Regularly uses close and distance vision
Works at a computer screen for extended periods of time
Works at a desk for extended periods of time, frequently moves around campus
Ability to occasionally move items 30 lbs. across the campus
Effectively deals with a wide variety of challenges, deadlines, and a varied and diverse array of contacts
Stamina to maintain attention to detail despite interruptions
New Way requires employees to be physically present on campus, with limited exceptions that are at the sole discretion of the School. Under extraordinary circumstances, some or all of the workforce may be required to move to a remote working environment. Additionally, certain individuals may also be approved for limited remote work, based on the nature of the job description, specific circumstances, and only with written prior approval by a direct supervisor.

Education, Certificate, and Requirements

Hold valid fingerprint clearance card
Bachelor’s degree or higher with a preferred emphasis on special education

Preferred, minimum three (3) years of experience teaching

Compensation

Competitive compensation based on experience in a range of $55,000 to $72,000
Full benefits including medical, vision and dental plans
Competitive 401K package
School lunch provided