K-8 Instructional Coach- 2026/2027 School Year

Placement range: $55,093.00 to $69,962.00 

We are hiring for two vacancies, with a strong preference for candidates with

middle school experience for one of the roles.

JOB SUMMARY

The K-8 Instructional Coach serves as a critical role in building teachers’ capacity in content, pedagogy, curriculum, assessment, and intervention support practices in the core academic areas (English Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies and Science). The K-8 Instructional Coach supports teachers across the school campus through ongoing professional learning, school improvement, and a focus on curriculum, instruction and achievement strategies and goals. This position provides direct support and/or facilitation to grade-level and/or content area teams of teachers using a Collaborative Team Meeting/PLC structure, modeling and supporting goal-setting, data analysis and reflective practice.  Instructional Coaches will facilitate change in instructional practices of teachers that will enable them to diagnose student needs more analytically; plan more productively; and teach more effectively.

DISTINGUISHING CAREER FEATURES

This position requires knowledge of a variety of coaching methodologies and approaches and is adept at utilizing them to provide appropriate support to teachers and leaders on school campuses. Modeling, co-planning, co-teaching and providing non-evaluative feedback to teachers and providing professional development opportunities are part of this position. Additionally, this position collaborates with members of the Curriculum and Instruction department by participating on committees designed to update district documents and platforms (e.g., curriculum maps, pacing guides, guidance documents, etc.) and committees focused on the adoption of new curriculum materials in core content areas. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:     

The Instructional Coach will:  Curriculum and Instruction

• Develop relationships with staff, classroom teachers, administrators, and district stakeholders to provide and promote collaborative working relationships.

• Observes classroom teachers:
• Collect data

• Provide specific instructional feedback

• Target specific areas of need based on data collected from student assessments, walk-throughs and observation

• Provide coaching strategies and models flexibly (e.g. instructional coaching, student-centered coaching, cognitive coaching) to K-8 teachers, with particular focus on the core content areas of English Language Arts and Mathematics, with additional support for literacy, math and language in Social Studies, Science and other curricular areas.
• Support the implementation of standards-aligned district curriculum resources, curriculum maps, and guidance documents on a school campus.
• Apply a strategic approach to supporting teachers in school improvement efforts related to designated content areas, subgroups, and/or grade levels, in alignment with school and district goals.

• Model and support implementation of high-yield instructional strategies and classroom/learning management strategies
• Model and support effective lesson planning.
• Assist teachers in identifying students’ instructional needs using lesson plans, formative and summative assessments.
• In cooperation with school administrator(s), disaggregate (analyze various types of data) and assist teachers in its interpretation to measure and improve student achievement and program effectiveness.
• Facilitates the use of evidence-based teaching strategies and best practices to address the needs of teachers and school goals.

The Instructional Coach will:  Professional Development

• Participate in and provide regular and ongoing learning opportunities (e.g. job-embedded, differentiated, in-person and ongoing professional development, coaching and mentoring) to strengthen instructional practice and implementation of curriculum resources.

• Flexibly provide a variety of professional learning and development opportunities at both the school and district level to improve teacher practice in alignment with school and district goals to improve student outcomes.

• Facilitate and/or support the successful facilitation of grade level and/or content area collaborative team meetings, and vertical articulation meetings focused on analysis of data and student work and instructional planning.
• Attend professional development for core content areas, assessment-related tasks, and instructional best practices to provide differentiated support to teachers in content-specific topics or on District-adopted resources.
• Provide follow-up support to teachers participating in professional learning through coaching, classroom observations, and/or other strategies.

The Instructional Coach will:   Professional Practice

• Demonstrate commitment and work positively towards meeting identified school and Phoenix #1 mission, goals and policies.
• Maintain necessary paperwork and documentation as required.
• Participate in leadership opportunities outside of the school day (District Committees, Strategic Planning, etc.).
• Remain current in educational issues, instructional strategies and current educational research.
• Assists in evaluation of Curriculum and Instruction programs and initiatives.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

• Arizona standards for English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, History/Social Sciences, and English Language Proficiency.
• Adult learning theory.
• Professional Learning Communities or Collaborative Team Processes to support data-driven and student-focused conversations.
• Essential elements of an effective lesson plan and experience in lesson development that meets a variety of student learning needs.

Skilled in:

• Employing a variety of coaching strategies and methodologies.
• Developing and implementing effective academic intervention(s) and/or support plans that lead to successful student outcomes.
• Communicating clearly, both orally and written, to groups and individuals.

Ability to:

• Interact effectively with other departments, school personnel, other sites and contacts from outside of the district.
• Work on a collaborative team to develop district curriculum documents and/or resources.
• Effectively utilize district technologies appropriate to the position and assumes responsibility for attending district training needed to successfully perform their job.
• Works both independently and collaboratively and is self-directed

 Core Competencies:

* Adaptability                      * Analytical Thinking                          * Collaborative                         * Coaching Mindset

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:        

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand and talk or hear and sometimes walk and sit.  The employee must use hands, arms and fingers to input data, handle, feel or reach; employee may occasionally push or lift up to 50 lbs. such as boxes, supplies, etc.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, and the ability to adjust focus, close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.

The noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud and can vary in temperature. The nature of this position is fast-paced and may occasionally be thought of as stressful. Through interaction with the public and other district employees, the employee may encounter different scents.

WE ARE PHOENIX #1!

At Phoenix Elementary School District #1, we are Inspiring Every Child to Achieve, educating the future leaders of Phoenix! We’re looking for passionate people who want to shape the future to join in our mission of offering all students an excellent and equitable education. The education of our children is a shared responsibility among our community, and we encourage you to apply for the opportunity to be part of that.

Every member of our Phoenix #1 family—from our top leadership team to our bus drivers, our nutrition team to our nurses, and our teachers to our technology gurus is shaping the lives of our students every day. We also drive forward the goals of ensuring equity and excellence for all students. It’s not just our work; it is our passion!

We are a Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade school district in Phoenix, Arizona, established in 1871 as the first free public school district in Arizona. The district boundaries cover an area from 16th Street to 23^rd Avenue, and Buckeye Road to Thomas Road.

NOTICES

The statements in this job description describe the essential function and requirements as assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills that may be required. Job descriptions are subject to change. Employees must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test and extensive fingerprint and background check. Discrimination against an otherwise qualified individual with a disability or any individual by reason of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity gender expression, age, or national origin is prohibited. Efforts will be made in recruitment and employment to ensure equal opportunity in employment for all qualified persons.PESD1 is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Lauren Pagnotta, HR Coordinator, at (602) 257-6072 at least 3 days in advance.

Salary placement Range $55,093.00 to $69,962.00 based on level of education and experience.

Salary : $55,093 - $69,962