Freshman Success Coach 2026-2027

Job Title: Freshman Success Coach          Wage/Hour Status: Exempt 

Reports to:  Principal                            Pay Grade : AD 2

Dept./School:  Campus                           Initiated Date:  July 2024  

District Primary Purpose: 
To lead and elevate La Joya ISD by championing a rigorous and innovative Freshman Success Team implement strategies aimed at tracking freshman, thereby enhancing student success and achievement. 

Department Primary Purpose: 
Works collaboratively with high school Freshman Success Teams to design and implement strategies aimed at significantly increasing the school’s percentage of freshman who are on track to graduate on a four-year diploma plan and increase postsecondary opportunities for all students as a result of their efforts.  Serves as a member of the Freshman Success Team, the Freshman Success Coach (FSC), assists in development of systems conditions, and capacity for increasing success of freshman in the following areas:  transition to high school; course performance; disengagement; recouping academic credits for failed coursework; and goal setting with continuous communication and follow-up to maximize goal attainment.  All strategies implemented at the campus level should be evidenced by research to be the most predictive indicator of graduation from high school and success beyond high school. Implements research evidenced-based strategies at the campus level. 

Education/Certification: 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university required; 

• Major in Education, a Content Area, or a related field to subject being taught; 

• Master’s degree from accredited college or university preferred. 

• Valid Texas Teaching Certification required; 

• ESL or Bilingual Certification preferred. 

Qualification Requirements: 

• 3 years teaching required; 

• Experience with diverse student populations preferred; 

• Experience facilitating or presenting professional learning preferred; 

• Experience as an instructional coach, department head, team lead, grade level-lead, or Lead Content Teacher preferred. 

Major Responsibilities and Duties: 

• Collaborates closely with Principal, Campus Leadership Team, Freshmen Success Team members, and other District staff to develop activities and strategies to lead the Freshman Success Team in analyzing both historical and current data about the school’s graduation, drop-out, attendance, and freshman on-track rates as well as ongoing formative and summative assessment data. 

• Collaborates closely with Central Office to ensure alignment between campus vision for Freshman Success and Central Office vision to ensure fidelity of implementation to ensure student success that leads to improved outcomes for students.  

• Aligns and integrates Freshman Success Team activities with the school’s instructional plans and other student development plans and programs. 

• Reflects continually on and documents the efficacy of the Team’s interventions strategies and makes mid-course adjustments when necessary. 

• Coaches teachers and/or teacher teams (PLCs) in creating optimal learning environments that are: culturally responsive; emotionally, intellectually, and physically safe; meets the needs of all learners; and includes standards-aligned curriculum and instruction. 

• Participates in all school-based professional development and faculty meetings as a full-time member of the school community. 

• Participates in monthly District-wide professional learning opportunities to develop capacity of Freshman Success Coaches across the District to lead this work not only on their campus but across the District while creating a strong network of FSCs to collaborate across La Joya ISD. 

• Supports and sustains high levels of freshman on-track and completion by maintaining an intentionally selected caseload of students in need of more 1:1 attention in collaboration with Freshman Success Team members and the Administrator leading the Freshman Success work on the campus. 

• Conducts academic coaching through individual or group sessions that help students assess their own performance and develop academic success plans. 

• Assists students in developing self-efficacy by identifying and overcoming obstacles that may be impeding academic success; works with students to learn time management and organization skills; motivates students to practice self-regulation and take ownership of their academic success in alignment with the work of the teachers on the Freshman Success Team. 

• Helps students identify, develop and implement learning strategies and study skills specific to course materials. 

• Refers students to appropriate academic personnel and support resources, and collaborates with others to monitor and accelerate the academic progress of students. 

• Advocates for students in relationship to equitable and evidence-based practices that will result in higher academic performance and social emotional health. 

• Provides professional learning opportunities for the Freshman Success Team members and full faculty (where appropriate) and in support of instructional work in evidence-based practice (instructional, behavioral, organizational, social-emotional, etc…) that support student achievement and success and result in higher academic performance. 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities 

• Knowledge of coaching, instructional and mentoring techniques. 

• Knowledge of processes and resources for organizing and leading group and collaborative activities. 

• Knowledge of traditional and online course practices and procedures. 

• Knowledge of student success initiative development and implementation. 

• Skill in researching, interpreting, and analyzing relevant data, and complex problem solving. 

• Skill in to effective communication with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse community, in both oral and written forms. 

• Skill in leadership and team-building; motivating a diverse group of professionals around clear goals and monitoring progress toward the goals. 

• Skill in assessing when to be creative, take risks and propose solutions or strategies outside of traditional or current paradigms. 

• Skill in listening to issues, synthesizing information, and reaching sound conclusions. 

Supervisory Responsibilities: 
This position does not directly evaluate or supervise staff. 

Working Conditions: 

Physical & Mental Demands, Work Hazards 

• Tools/Equipment Used:  Standard office equipment, including computer and peripherals; Promethean Board. 

• Posture:  Prolonged sitting and standing; occasional stooping, squatting, kneeling, bending, pushing/pulling, and twisting. 

• Motion:  Frequent repetitive hand motions, including keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching. 

• Lifting:  Occasional light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds). 

• Environment:  Works in an office setting; occasionally requires irregular and/or prolonged hours. 

• Attendance:  Regular and punctual attendance at the worksite is required for this position. 

• Mental Demands:  Maintains emotional control under stress; works with frequent interruptions. 

Travel Requirements 

• Travels to school district buildings and professional meetings as required. 

Work Environment: 
Primarily campus-based with regular interaction with district staff, educators, students, families, and community members. Attendance at evening or weekend events may be required. 

Position Working Days: 197 Days 

This is a grant-funded position 

This document is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.