High School Football Coach / Teacher

Thrive Academy is one of the first boarding schools in the country serving at-risk students. Our mission is to provide opportunities to students from under-resourced Louisiana communities and prepare them academically and personally for success in college and beyond. Serving grades seven through twelve, Thrive Academy combines world-class instruction with a 24-hour supportive boarding environment – a free public boarding school unlike any other in Louisiana.

Position Information

Job Title: Teacher / Head Football Coach

Type: Full Time

Salary: $55,117 - $80,000 (Base teacher pay scale range – excludes athletic stipends)

Responsibilities

Head Football Coach

• Responsible for overseeing and managing all aspects of the school’s football program in conjunction with the Athletic Director including, but not limited to: Coaching Staff; Scheduling; Budgets; Compliance with Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) rules
• Also leads balancing of athletic development, team culture and academic oversight
• Recruit, supervise and evaluate coaching staff and other athletic personnel
• Ensure excellent care of athletic facilities and equipment
• Coordinate with AD on football-based contracts and with the purchasing department (e.g. facility rentals, referee payments)
• Follow all safety protocols to ensure well-being of student athletes
• Represent the athletic department and the school in a positive and professional manner
• Coordinate with the AD to complete and submit required reports to school administration and the LHSAA
• Coordinate with the AD to manage the football program budget in conjunction with the CFO and Foundation
• Oversee scheduling of football games, practices, and events 

Other Core Responsibilities

• Directs the football program in setting short- and long-term goals for team competitiveness and skill progression
• Designs daily practice schedules, strength and conditioning regimens and competitive game strategies
• Recruits, assigns, mentors and evaluates assistant coaches across high school and feeder/middle school levels
• Monitors the academic progress, corrective action and character growth of players
• Keeps informed on current trends in football and participates in respective clinics
• Coordinates and communicates with all other departments on student needs and schedules for practices, games and other events
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisors

Health, Safety and Compliance

Strongly supports the Athletic Director in all the following:

• Administer the LHSAA concussion protocol, including recognizing suspected concussions in the absence of a healthcare professional and ensuring no student-athlete returns to play without written clearance from a Louisiana-licensed physician
• Support maintenance of the required LHSAA safety documentation (medical evaluations, parental permission forms, concussion and sudden cardiac arrest acknowledgements, substance abuse contracts) for all student-athletes
• Verify and track current CPR/First Aid, concussion, and other required safety certifications for all football coaching staff, including assistant and volunteer coaches
• Ensure background checks and mandatory reporter training are completed for all football personnel
• Support the maintenance of an Emergency Action Plan for all athletic facilities and events, and enforce a lightning/severe weather policy for outdoor practices and competitions
• Support equipment inspection and reconditioning (e.g., NOCSAE helmet standards) on a regular safety cycle 

Eligibility and Compliance

Strongly supports the Athletic Director in all the following:

• Monitoring student-athlete academic eligibility in coordination with teaching staff
• Verifying residency and transfer eligibility in accordance with LHSAA regulations
• Supporting NCAA Eligibility Center requirements for college-bound student-athletes, including transcripts, core courses, and letters of intent
• Ensuring Title IX compliance and equitable participation opportunities, facilities, and equipment across all sports 

Game-Day and Facility Operations

Strongly supports the Athletic Director in all the following:

• Coordinating transportation for away games, scrimmages, and athletic events 

Teacher

• Teaches physical education and/or other needed electives (e.g. financial awareness) or potentially a core subject based on area of educational expertise
• Adheres to all Thrive Academy teaching principles and requirements 

Curriculum and Instruction

• Crafting a classroom vision and creating an academic long-term plan for instruction.
• Planning and executing curriculum, lessons, and learning objectives aligned to state standards.
• Providing differentiated instruction to meet the needs of all learners.
• Providing direct instruction and small group instruction in centers.
• Developing instructional materials
• Coordinating with the Special Education Instructor to meet IEP goals.
• Recording grades, reporting attendance and completing report cards.

Data Analysis and Achievement

• With support from the school leader, provide data driven instruction.
• Assessing mastery through exit slips, quizzes, and unit tests aligned to the GLEs.
• Holding weekly data meetings focused on student needs and instructional improvement.

School Culture and Parent Engagement

• Providing regular parent feedback through quarterly conferences, monthly calls, progress reports, and report cards.
• Investing students in learning and in the culture of the school.
• Promoting character development and a positive classroom culture rooted in Endurance, Compassion, Ownership, and Partnership.
• Effectively working on a team.
• Taking on leadership responsibilities within the school.
• Following student and staff discipline policies and handbooks.
• Committed to professional growth through ongoing feedback and development.

Thrive Academy Teachers embrace the following beliefs:

Endurance – I am determined to be an effective teacher, and I will always work hard in all things regardless of how difficult it might become.

Compassion – Through the collective work and example of teachers, parents, and administrators, Thrive Academy students will involve themselves within their community by planning and participating in extensive community involvement projects throughout their time at Thrive Academy.

Partnership – I understand that I am a partner to Thrive Academy, its mission, students and fellow teachers; I will always support that partnership and vision.

Ownership – I will always operate with the utmost integrity and will strive to model for my students what it means to take ownership of my actions.

Qualifications

• Has a bachelor’s degree and is working toward subject-area teaching certification.
• Teaching certification preferred
• Has at least two years of successful classroom experience with a Title I school. (this qualification may be waived in times of staffing need as determined by the Principal)
• Uses data to inform decisions and is achievement driven.
• Has demonstrated mastery of lesson and long-term planning.
• Has outstanding behavior management and investment system.
• Has demonstrated mastery in time-management skills.
• Has exceptional problem-solving skills and values feedback.
• Has knowledge of the Common Core.
• Fosters relational capacity among staff, parents and students.
• Proven ability to head an athletic department and comply with LHSAA requirements 

Accountability: This position is accountable to the Principal.

Thrive Academy is designated as a State As a Model Employer (SAME) agency and provides assistance to persons needing accommodations or with the accessibility of materials. For those seeking such accommodations or assistance related to this search, we encourage you to contact the school at 225-367-6855 and ask for the HR department.

Salary : $55,117 - $80,000