25-26 Academic Coach, Grades K-8 - ELA (2025-2025 school year)

This position is a 1 year appointment, 2025-2026 school year

Job Goal:  To bring all students in grades K-8 to proficiency or better in ELA by supporting teachers in their efforts to maximize the effectiveness of their instructional practice. The ELA Coach functions as a colleague, is not part of school administration, and does not participate in any way in the evaluation of a teacher’s performance.

Qualifications:

• Appropriate Department of Elementary and Secondary Educator's license in the field or subject for this position
• Three or more years prior teaching experience in ELA
• Strong people skills; an ability to gain the respect and trust of fellow teachers.
• Advanced degree preferred
• Understanding of scientifically based research and evidence-based practices for teaching the range of ELA skills and understanding, and assessing student progress toward achievement of benchmarks; a demonstrated ability and willingness to learn and stay current.
• Experience supporting teachers with the implementation of HQIM-especially Fishtank and Wit and Wisdom

Responsibilities: 

Coaching Responsibilities:

Help teachers meet the goals for student progress set by the district, the K-8 Humanities Curriculum Coordinator, Principals, and the faculty as a whole. The coach functions as a colleague, is not part of school administration and does not take part in any way in the evaluation of teacher performance.

• Meet regularly with the K-8 Humanities Curriculum Coordinator, Principals, and others to assure that students achieve proficiency or better in ELA and that teachers are supported in their instructional practice.
• Create an atmosphere of trust and collaboration among staff that will promote professional growth and accelerate the achievement of all students;
• At the beginning of the school year, meet with the K-8 Humanities Curriculum Coordinator to determine the schedule and priorities for coaching, training, conferences, workshops, meetings at the school, district, and/or other level (e.g. grant requirements) as applicable.
• As a coach to classroom teachers, the ELA coach will spend a substantial portion of the day working with teachers in classrooms. This time commitment will be offered by the coach, and needs to be accepted by the teacher.  For example, the coach will meet with teachers to plan lessons and assess student progress, perform demonstration lessons and do co-teaching, organize assessments and data.
• Coach classroom teachers in all aspects of differentiated ELA instruction, including use of student assessments to group students, management of effective whole- and small-group instruction, and activities to meet specific student needs;
• Provide feedback and suggestions for instructional improvements during coaching.

Professional Development Responsibilities:

• Coach will work with teachers and administration to design and implement disrict-based and school-based professional development as necessary.

Curriculum and Instruction Responsibilities:

• Develop resources aligned with the district curriculum to support teachers with their implementation.
• Provide teachers with clear and specific information on how to implement a range of effective instructional strategies;
• Be competently knowledgeable of the Massachusetts ELA Curriculum Framework and district curricular programs to assist teachers in their implementation.

Terms of Employment:

In accordance with STA Collective Bargaining Agreement

Schedule: 189 days

School Year Schedule: 184 days

Additional days: 5 days to be scheduled with Supervisor

The Somerville Public School does not discriminate in its programs, facilities or employment of educational opportunities on the bases of race, color, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, home status, martial/civil union status, sex/gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, citizenship status, place of birth, national origin, ancestry, cultural identity, genetics or military status, and does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individuals' group or interferes with their ability to learn or work.