POSITION TITLE: Special Education Instructional Coach 
DEPARTMENT/LOCATION: Learning Services / District Wide
STATUS: Certified – Contract
GRADE LEVEL: EC-12
HOURS OF WORK: 8 hours a day / 207-day contract Responsibility Factor 
POSITION SUMMARY: This position, a member of the Learning Services team, is a critical role in improving student achievement. The role of the coach is to build teacher capacity and their understanding of research-based instructional practices. All coaches work collaboratively as a team with Learning Services and the Coordinator of Instructional Coaching.
PRIMARY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Mentor/coach new special service educators in policy, practice, and procedures. Specific coaching around IEP development, goal writing, and progress monitoring with all special service positions.
• Coach PLCs at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.
• Work through a feeder area team concept.
• Support the vision of Learning Services and the Olathe Public Schools.
• Use, analyze, and reflect on data to improve teaching and learning.
• Facilitate the professional development of teachers with a focus on improving student achievement.
• Create positive relationships with teachers, administrators, students, and the Learning Services team.
• Communicate and demonstrate researched-based instructional practices that results in increased student performance.
• Promote reflection, provide guidance and structure where needed, and focus on strengths, collaboration, and common issues of concern.
• Training sessions associated with the position may need to occur outside of contractual hours and days in order to meet teacher schedules. Accordingly, the coaches work schedule will need to be flexible.
• The district will provide support for the Instructional Coach with related professional development training opportunities.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Kansas teaching license with Special Education endorsement or other Special Education licensure required.
• Minimum five - eight years of successful teaching experience, with a record of successfully impacting student achievement and working successfully with students.
• Proven ability to work cooperatively and effectively with colleagues, including the ability to create and nurture a professional community of adult learners.
• Demonstrates leadership qualities and strong interpersonal skills, including giving and receiving constructive feedback.
• Strong pedagogical knowledge and content expertise. A willingness to learn skills related to all special service providers.
• Demonstrates teacher leadership: Minimum of one year of school leadership experience (Site Council, Building Leadership Team, Department Chair, Lead Teacher, Collegial Mentor, Cooperating Teacher for Student Teacher).
• Demonstrates evidence of professional growth, including leadership and participation in a wide range of significant professional development activities.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Experience in development, preparation, and presentation of professional development preferred.
• Record of building strong community, staff, and student relationships.
• Exhibits a high degree of motivation, responsibility and confidentiality.
• Able to work independently with minimal supervision in a fast-paced work environment.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrates leadership qualities and strong interpersonal skills, including giving and receiving constructive feedback.
• Excellent verbal, written and listening communication skills
• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously
• High degree of motivation, responsibility, and confidentiality
• Demonstrated ability in compiling, organizing, and analyzing data
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision in a fast-paced work environment
• Highly collaborative team player
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, etc.)
• Ability to self-initiate areas of opportunity, make recommendations for improvement, and follow up as necessary to achieve desired results

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 
Normal office setting with light work requiring some lifting and carrying up to 20 pounds on an occasional basis. Generally, the job requires 60% sitting, 30% walking, and 10% standing and significant fine finger dexterity. The position requires typing, filing, use of telephone and sitting for prolonged periods of time. Stretching, bending, reaching, pushing, and pulling are required a moderate amount of the time. This job is performed in a generally clean and healthy environment.
 
IMPORTANT EMPLOYMENT STATEMENTS
The statements above are intended to describe the general nature of the work being performed and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. This document describes the position currently available. The District reserves the right to modify job duties or job descriptions at any time.
The Olathe Public Schools prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity in its programs, activities or employment as required by applicable federal and state laws.
PAY: Teacher Salary Schedule
CLEARANCES REQUIRED: Criminal Justice Fingerprint, Background Clearance, TB Test