Science Coach, Collins Middle School, Salem Public Schools SY2024-2025

About Salem Public Schools, where belonging leads to opportunity.

Salem is a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district enrolling nearly 4,000 students across our 11 schools. Our vision is to ensure that all students will be locally engaged, globally connected, and fully prepared to thrive in a diverse and changing world. We hold dear our core values of belonging, equity, and opportunity in everything we do. Over the next three years (2023-2026), we are committed to the work outlined by the four core priorities in our strategic plan: 1) Elevate Learning; 2) Empower Educators; 3) Center Belonging; and 4) Strengthen Our Foundation. We seek individuals who are passionate about urban education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement for all students, regardless of ability, economic status, gender/gender identity, language, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other backgrounds. Applicants who have experience working in urban schools and settings and are bilingual are strongly encouraged to apply.

What You’ll Do:

The instructional science coach position is an excellent opportunity for an experienced science classroom teacher who possesses expertise in curriculum development and review, high quality instructional practices, assessment development, and data analysis. 

This role has two functions:

1. The primary responsibility of the instructional science coach is to build capacity for engaging, accessible standards-based instruction in every science classroom. The district uses the 5E instructional model in science (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate), a carefully planned sequence of instruction that places students at the center of learning. The coach role is split between two elementary schools.
2. The secondary responsibility is to build capacity for engaging, accessible standards-based instruction using the 5E model in social studies classrooms. (Many district schools alternate science and social studies units.) Science coaches meet regularly with the District K-8 Social Studies coach in order to gain the social studies content and skills knowledge that they will need for effective coaching.

Purpose of Position:

• To provide coaching and support to deepen teacher content knowledge, strengthen instruction specifically through making content accessible to diverse learners, and promoting learning across all classrooms
• To support teachers new to the district or new to the profession
• This position reports to the school principal and the Assistant Superintendent and supports the work of the district Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment Office.

Essential Attributes:

• Holds an unwavering belief that every student in Salem can grow and succeed
• Skilled in providing equitable access to the curriculum, particularly in underserved populations
• Able to work collaboratively and flexibly as part of a building team
• Has a strong work ethic, is self-directed, and has the ability to work independently
• Self-reflects and accepts feedback with a growth mindset

Responsibilities: Coaching - Building Capacity

• Develops a weekly schedule in collaboration with the principal that aligns to the unique needs of the school 
• A primary goal of the instructional coach position is to build capacity for expert and accessible instruction in every classroom.
• The literacy coach may also work directly with students from time to time as part of the school’s literacy team plan.
• Works with teachers one-on-one and in small groups to plan lessons from standards, using core curriculum materials, determines student groupings, and implements research-based instructional strategies to support high-quality core instruction
• Fosters teacher collaboration and sharing of best practices
• Introduces best practices in the area of pedagogy through demonstration lessons, peer observation, study groups, and professional development workshops
• Builds teacher capacity to interpret and use a range of assessment tools to plan lessons and address individual student needs 
• Facilitates data cycles, curriculum planning, development and revision of curriculum maps, assessments, and proficiency scales
• Monitors progress towards meeting school-wide student achievement goals set within improvement plan
• Provides leadership in preparing and analyzing common assessment data
• Meets regularly with the building principal and/or ILT to analyze data and student work, coordinate instructional rounds, and discuss next steps for school-based professional development 
• Engages in advanced training opportunities designed to strengthen content knowledge, pedagogy, tiered instructional practice, and coaching skills
• Plan and lead learning immersions/activities.
• Manage Read Trust Grants to support school-wide and district priority and vision.
• Other duties as assigned by the Deputy Superintendent or principal

Note: The evaluation of teachers is not part of the instructional coach’s responsibilities. The instructional coach does provide non-evaluative feedback to teachers.

What You’ll Bring:

We are looking for candidates who have diverse backgrounds and experiences, are inspired by our mission, and are highly motivated to change children’s lives through education. You’ll be right at home here if you are a reflective practitioner who values collaboration with colleagues and pushes yourself, your work, and the people around you to the next level. We expect our SPS employees to:

• Hold a deep commitment to students and families and value diversity - The SPS community is vibrant, diverse in background, ethnicity, language, and perspective. You embrace and affirm the backgrounds of all members of the SPS community and view our diversity as a powerful resource that supports us each in learning and doing our best work.
• Hold high expectations for yourself, students, and colleagues – You see potential in all, especially our SPS students, and maintain high expectations for achievement, while providing the support necessary to meet that bar. You hold yourself to high expectations, modeling SPS values, and seeking opportunities to continuously improve.
• Build authentic, caring relationships with colleagues, students, and families – You build strong relationships across students, families, and colleagues that are collaborative in nature and contribute to the individual and collective success of SPS. You partner with families and colleagues to make decisions in the best interest of students and learning.
• Embrace feedback – You are a reflective practitioner who learns from failure, using mistakes and challenges as opportunities for growth. You model persistence and growth mindset and thrive in a culture of feedback.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree (Required); Master’s Degree (Preferred)
• Required Massachusetts teaching certification/licensure; certification in science preferred
• Three or more years of successful teaching experience
• Experience working in a diverse, urban environment preferred
• Knowledge of and experience using SEI strategies and other approaches to differentiated instruction
• Extensive knowledge of the MA STE curriculum frameworks
• Strong content and pedagogical knowledge in science
• Demonstrated ability to model effective lessons (e.g. aligned to standards, balance of direct instruction and guided practice, differentiation of planning based on data, etc.)
• Experience with standards-based practices and effective use of student data
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively with teachers
• Experience using the 5E model preferred but not required
• Experience providing professional development for teachers

Schedule: The coach’s schedule follows the school calendar, with an additional 7 days required.

Salary: Per the teacher contract, plus an additional $3,000 coordinator stipend for the added 7 days.

This position reports to the Deputy Superintendent and supports the work of the district Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment Office.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Salem Public School District is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.