What are the responsibilities and job description for the Academic Apprentice Coach - Wardlaw School position at Atlanta Speech School?
The Atlanta Speech School
Academic Apprentice Coach - Wardlaw School
Start Date: July 2026
The Academic Apprentice Coach supports excellence in instruction by mentoring teachers and promoting research-based practices for students with dyslexia and associated learning differences. This role is responsible for instructional coaching and direct teaching responsibilities, in that the Apprentice Coach is required to teach one reading group, demonstrating our commitment to maintaining small, highly differentiated groups. Working collaboratively with teachers, the Wardlaw Director, and other staff, the Academic Apprentice Coach is primarily focused on building teachers’ capacity to strengthen reading and math instruction aligned with the Wardlaw School’s integrated instructional model.
The Academic Apprentice Coach partners with teachers through the execution of coaching cycles, direct classroom support, and training in best practices and curriculum through continuous professional development. The Wardlaw approach to coaching is learner-centered, with coaching conversations and decision-making guided by student learning rather than teacher performance. Instead of focusing on “fixing” teachers, learner-centered coaching uses
relevant data to guide coaching practices, inform instructional decisions, and ensure fidelity to the science for students with language-based learning disabilities.
Instructional Coaching and Teacher Apprenticing
Academic Apprentice Coach - Wardlaw School
Start Date: July 2026
The Academic Apprentice Coach supports excellence in instruction by mentoring teachers and promoting research-based practices for students with dyslexia and associated learning differences. This role is responsible for instructional coaching and direct teaching responsibilities, in that the Apprentice Coach is required to teach one reading group, demonstrating our commitment to maintaining small, highly differentiated groups. Working collaboratively with teachers, the Wardlaw Director, and other staff, the Academic Apprentice Coach is primarily focused on building teachers’ capacity to strengthen reading and math instruction aligned with the Wardlaw School’s integrated instructional model.
The Academic Apprentice Coach partners with teachers through the execution of coaching cycles, direct classroom support, and training in best practices and curriculum through continuous professional development. The Wardlaw approach to coaching is learner-centered, with coaching conversations and decision-making guided by student learning rather than teacher performance. Instead of focusing on “fixing” teachers, learner-centered coaching uses
relevant data to guide coaching practices, inform instructional decisions, and ensure fidelity to the science for students with language-based learning disabilities.
Instructional Coaching and Teacher Apprenticing
- Coordinate and implement the Wardlaw Training and Apprenticing Program for new teachers, ensuring they feel welcomed, supported, and set up for success.
- Foster productive and collaborative relationships with teachers by clarifying expectations and building a shared understanding of the coaching process.
- Assess each teacher’s instructional background and strengths and then partner with them to establish individualized, meaningful coaching goals.
- Visit classrooms regularly to observe instruction and provide supportive, timely, and constructive feedback.
- Work alongside teachers in K-6 classrooms, providing real-time instructional support.
- Co-plan and co-teach lessons when helpful to strengthen instructional delivery and student engagement.
- Facilitate at least one full coaching cycle per teacher each academic year, including goal setting, observation, feedback, and reflection.
- Serve as a mentor and guide while maintaining a non-evaluative, growth-oriented role in the teacher supervision process.
- Professional Development and Instructional Support
- Model effective, engaging teaching strategies and provide training in instructional programs and methods as needed.
- Support teachers in implementing research-based instructional practices for students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences.
- Assist Lower School teachers in planning and implementing reading and math curricula aligned with current research and best practices in language-based learning disabilities.
- Promote multisensory instructional approaches and differentiated instruction to support diverse learners.
- Complete Cox Campus Courses- Coaching to Build Language and Literacy PK-5, PK-5 Structured Literacy, Dyslexia, and others recommended by leadership for ongoing training.
- This role includes instructional coaching and direct teaching, requiring the Apprentice Coach to lead one reading group to ensure the coach maintains strong techniques and adheres to structured literacy best practices.
- Provide high-quality reading instruction aligned with structured literacy
- Support the Director in reviewing and editing student reports.
- Collaborate with teachers to analyze student learning profiles and guide instructional planning.
- Contribute to a professional culture rooted in collaboration, reflective practice, and continuous instructional improvement.
- Communicate patterns, needs, and successes observed across classrooms to strengthen schoolwide practice.
- Help ensure alignment across grade levels and content areas to support program goals and instructional consistency.
- Assist with the planning and implementation of Wardlaw school events (e.g., monthly assemblies, performances, Grand Day, Black History Month, etc.)