Special Education Instructional Coach

Job Summary:  

• Role and Responsibilities:  

The Special Education Coach is responsible to build the capacity of teachers and PLC teams, support professional growth, and meet the learning needs of all students in regard to specific content areas (i.e. literacy, math, science, special education, technology, ELL, etc.) and overall instructional pedagogy.  Special Education Coaches provide teacher observations and feedback utilizing technology tools, face-to-face dialogue, and coaching cycles and provide specific support to career teachers who need additional assistance. The Special Education Coach collaboratively plans with the school’s leadership team when appropriate to assist teachers in implementing professional learning to support precision teaching and assists teachers to provide learning interventions in a multi-tiered system of supports. Special Education Coaches utilize a variety of data collection tools and protocols that guide teachers in reflecting on practice and monitoring progress toward professional goals for instructional improvement. 

• Extended Contract: 10 days
• Salary Supplement: $7,000
• Teaching Load: 0%

Hiring Specifications:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in education, Master’s degree (highly preferred)
• Completion of graduate work in curriculum and instruction and evidence of implementation (preferred) 

Certification

• Iowa teaching certification 
• Endorsement in instructional coaching content area (i.e. literacy, math, special education, etc.) STRAT I K-8 or 5-12

Experience

• Three (3) or more years of successful classroom teaching experience 
• At least one year successful teaching in the WCSD

General Skills, Knowledge & Abilities, Dispositions

1. Demonstrated expertise in designing and implementing Iowa Core instruction, effective instructional strategies, assessment, and methods that improve student achievement in the classroom
2. Ability to implement innovative teaching methodologies
3. Strong knowledge of Iowa Core and Waterloo Community Schools District curriculum and initiatives specific to the content area and multiple grade levels
4. Ability to collaborate with colleagues, including experience in leading/facilitating committees, teams, and/or professional development
5. Ability to maintain confidential relationships with administrators and teachers
6. Experience related to adult learning (coaching, professional development, mentoring, teaching)
7. Demonstrated commitment to personal and professional growth and learning within a community of practice
8. Understanding of classroom observation and feedback principles and processes
9. Willingness to engage in formative assessment processes, including non-evaluative, reflective conversations with teachers using evidence of classroom practice and student learning
10. Evidence of excellent oral, written, and technology skills
11. Strong interpersonal and communication skills
12. Proficiency in maintaining and managing regular communication and documentation
13. Belief in the potential of teachers and schools to effect change in the academic lives of students
14. Capacity to accurately gather evidence/data during classroom observations using a teaching rubric and/or technology tool
15. Ability to organize, analyze, and respond to data (formative, interim, benchmark, standardized) that informs instructional decisions 
16. Assist in identifying, acquiring, and organizing resources to support student learning
17. Excellent record of attendance
18. Willingness to commit to the highest standards of honesty, integrity, flexibility, and responsiveness 
19. Embrace the spirit of collaboration and contribute to the ongoing improvement of student learning

Specific to Special Education 

1. Ability to collaborate with teachers to differentiate courses, units, lessons, and assessments
2. Assist in identifying research-based interventions for at-risk students
3. Assist teachers in understanding the role of core curriculum and instruction in relation to intensive instruction/intervention for students with IEPs

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Assist with professional learning and implementation regarding Iowa Core, instructional strategies, lesson planning, analyzing student work, differentiating instruction, integrating technology with instructional strategies, classroom management, etc. 
2. Establish and maintain a trusting, confidential, and non-evaluative relationship with teachers to help develop their autonomy as professionals
3. Collaboratively plan with the principal, administrative staff, and teacher leaders to implement the school improvement process and provide professional development
4. Observe instructional practices, provide feedback to teachers, and model instructional strategies on a frequent and regular basis, specific to content strategies and overall instructional pedagogy
5. Model, as appropriate, innovative teaching methodologies through techniques such as co-teaching and demonstration lessons
6. Provide opportunities for teachers to observe exemplary practice by arranging inter-site visits
7. Assist staff with the gathering, examination, analysis, and response to formative and summative data
8. Use data to identify learning concerns and provide interventions and extensions for individual students and groups of students in a multi-tiered system of supports.
9. Assist teachers in reflecting on and analyzing their practice, reviewing student work, and using relevant data to inform instruction
10. Incorporate technology to advance both teacher learning and classroom practice
11. Collaborate with other instructional coaches, literacy coaches, and math coaches to maximize resources
12. Collaborate with building and district leadership personnel to ensure coherence between instructional coaching activities and school/district expectations
13. Organize and plan short and long-range goals and coordinate efforts for the timely accomplishment of those goals
14. Assist school staff in explaining instructional or assessment issues to parents.
15. Fully participate in coaching professional development, such as academies, coach forums, peer coaching partnerships, professional learning teams, and other areas, team, and committee meetings
16. Commit to growth along a continuum (standards) and engage in goal-setting and reflection
17. Keep current on research-based instructional strategies and best practices with an emphasis on student engagement and learning
18. Commit to meeting or exceeding all performance targets established by program leadership
19. Maintain and submit required documentation
20. Complete other duties as assigned

Technology Requirements

• Word processing skills
• Excel skills
• PowerPoint skills
• Web navigation skills
• E-mail management skills
• Computer network knowledge applicable to the position
• Knowledge of computer-related storage devices
• Knowledge of educational copyright laws
• Knowledge of computer security expectations
• Proficient in using Promethean and other instructional technology tools

Supervision of Others:

• N/A

Personal Contacts:

• District and building staff and students
• AEA personnel

Physical Requirements:

Salary : $50,000 - $82,551