What are the responsibilities and job description for the Instructional Coach (26-27) position at Freire Schools?
About Freire Schools
Established in 1999, Freire Schools (www.freireschools.org) is a network of four charter schools across Philadelphia and Delaware whose mission is to prepare students from historically underserved communities for success in college and beyond. We're distinguished by our belief in every student who walks through our doors, our strong code of conduct and commitment to peace that ensures a safe environment for all, our sense of family throughout our community, and our joyous and engaged classrooms that focus on academic achievement. As evidence of our impact, in 2023 Stanford's Center for Research on Education Outcomes ranked Freire Schools in the top 15 in the country for academic gains out of 368 charter networks nationwide.
About the team
For this Instructional Coach position, you'll be working for one of our two high schools in Philadelphia. Philadelphia Magazine recently named Freire Charter High School (#18) and TECH Freire Charter High School (#26) among the top high schools in Philadelphia. While we're proud of our accomplishments, we're not bound by tradition - if something isn't working, we are permissionless in fixing it. Since Freire's founding in 1999, the network has achieved excellence for our children through a rigorous college preparatory program and a commitment to peace, within our walls and beyond.
TECH Freire Charter School (9-12): 2221 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19132
Freire Charter High School (9-12): 2027 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
You can indicate a preference in the application, or during the hiring process we'll help determine which one is the best fit.
What You'll Do
At Freire, instructional coaching is central to how we develop teachers and improve student outcomes. Reporting to the Head of Academics, the Instructional Coach partners closely with teachers and school leadership to strengthen instructional practice through transformational coaching, supporting shifts in teacher beliefs, behaviors, and execution. You will lead individualized coaching cycles aligned to Freire's Deeper Learning Rubric (DLR), driving growth in teaching practice and student achievement across mastery of knowledge and skills, high-quality work, and character.
Responsibilities
- Lead differentiated coaching cycles (pre-brief observation debrief) aligned to teacher goals and the DLR
- Conduct weekly 1:1 coaching meetings to set SMART goals, analyze data, strengthen planning, and deliver actionable feedback
- Use high-impact coaching strategies including co-planning, modeling, co-teaching, role-playing, video analysis, and intervisitations
- Observe and script instructional practice to support teacher growth and execution
- Build strong coaching relationships grounded in trust, accountability, and high expectations with high support
- Track coaching progress using systems (e.g., GROW) and adjust support based on teacher need
- Facilitate adult learning through professional development, team meetings, and PLCs
- Support teachers in using student work and data to drive instructional decisions
- Partner with school leadership on instructional priorities and contribute to broader leadership responsibilities, including scheduling, hiring, assessment coordination, project management, IEP support, and problem-solving
Coaching at Freire
We believe coaching:
- Is for everyone-every teacher has a coach, and every coach is coached
- Is non-evaluative, confidential, and focused on growth over time
- Requires shared ownership and active engagement
- Is "respectfully relentless"- balancing encouragement with accountability
- Centers adult learning in service of student success
Who You Are
You have an unwavering belief in the potential of all students and teachers and approach coaching as a facilitator of adult learning and instructional growth. You build strong relationships while maintaining a high bar for excellence, and you are reflective, organized, and comfortable using data to drive decisions and lead candid, growth-oriented conversations.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree required
- 5 years of teaching experience, preferably in high-needs schools
- 3 years of instructional coaching or school leadership experience with demonstrated impact
- Strong ability to analyze and disaggregate data, lead effective 1:1s and PLCs, and develop teachers
- Deep understanding of rigorous, student-centered instruction that drives student thinking
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills
- High level of organization and ability to manage responsibilities through effective calendar and systems use
- Comfort with technology, including data tracking tools and creating effective materials for PD and PLCs
Pay and Benefits
We offer a competitive salary based on experience and qualifications. Our benefits package includes health, dental, vision, and more. Pennsylvania employees are enrolled in Freire's 403(b) retirement plan, which includes a 5% employer contribution.
Freire Schools is committed to maintaining a workplace environment that is free from all forms of discrimination and discriminatory harassment, in service of the policy goal to provide all persons equal access to all categories of employment regardless of a person's actual or perceived race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and expression), age, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, ethnic background, marital status, pregnancy or related conditions, disability, veteran/military status, or any other category protected by state or federal law.