Instructional Coach

Lawrence

 

Who We Are

Phoenix Charter Academy aims to show the world what all young people can do, and to defy the limitations of societal assumptions, classism, and racism.  Phoenix Charter Academy was founded on the unwavering belief that all students can succeed at high levels. While this mantra is typical of high-performing schools, particularly those in the charter sector, Phoenix truly endeavors to reach every student, focusing on a growing number on the margins of the traditional public district education system: students who have dropped out of high school, students who are parenting children of their own, students who are or have been involved with the juvenile justice system, students who are older and new to the country and cannot gain access to public schooling, and students who are under-credited relative to the number of years they have spent enrolled in high school. We believe that these students, like all students, are completely capable of developing the skills necessary to set themselves up for lifetimes of economic prosperity and success. We support our students with individually tailored and academically rigorous curricula and push them to succeed at the highest levels by providing them with the resources and mentoring that they need to reach their full potential. 

 

Why Our Work is Important

Students across America are dropping out of high school at an alarming rate. Dropping out of high school has a substantial impact on a young person’s life. Over the course of their lifetime, an individual who drops out of high school is more likely to have reduced earning power, greater social service dependency, increased rates of criminal involvement, and shorter life expectancy. Phoenix Charter Academies addresses this trend by creating environments where students can demonstrate their talent and resilience and prepare themselves for success through high school, college, and beyond. 

 

Commitment to DEI

We recognize the importance of forming a school community inclusive of all visible and invisible identities. We act to ensure that our students and staff always see reflections of themselves and their communities. We aim to break down systemic barriers by providing access to resources, experiences, and differentiated supports for historically marginalized groups. We solicit, value, understand, connect, and leverage multiple perspectives and experiences. We invite all perspectives except those that perpetuate oppression or dehumanization. We do not just accept difference - we celebrate it, support it, and thrive on it for the benefit of our scholars and the communities we serve. We believe difference makes us stronger. 

 

Who You Are

• Unwavering belief in our students - Phoenix staff operate with the deeply held belief that all young people want to and can succeed even in the face of substantial systemic barriers and societal constraints. 
• Continuous Improvement - Phoenix staff approach problem solving with curiosity and desire to understand the perspectives of others. They carry an internalized sense of “I can always learn more” and know that adults at Phoenix must model the qualities of being open-minded and willing to make mistakes and learn from them. Phoenix staff members embody “lifelong learner” mindsets and strive for constant improvement. 

• Eager to Learn - Phoenix staff must be able to learn as they go in a fast paced, ever evolving, urgent environment. They have the desire to receive direct feedback and the ability to implement the feedback into practice quickly.

• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Phoenix staff commit to understanding the ways that their self-identity and experiences impact and interact with their daily work, their colleagues, and their students, and work toward furthering initiatives that promote a more equitable society. 

 

The Opportunity

The Instructional Coach works in collaboration with the Head of School and Director of Curriculum and Instruction (DCI) to provide differentiated support for teachers. Reporting to the DCI, the instructional coach will engage in feedback cycles with teachers in order to identify the root causes impacting student learning. The Instructional Coach will serve as a member of the school’s leadership team and will support professional development planning and delivery to ensure Phoenix teachers are well equipped to meet their students' academic and social-emotional needs in the classroom.

 

Qualities of Phoenix staff member:

• Unwavering Belief in Phoenix Scholars - Phoenix staff operate with the deeply held belief that all young people want to and can succeed even in the face of what can seem like insurmountable barriers and societal constraints.

• Ability to Put Scholars First - Phoenix staff go above and beyond to ensure mastery of the skills and development of positive self-identity that will ensure success for college, careers and beyond.  Phoenix staff find every opportunity to engage in teaching and learning with scholars, using conflict to build supportive relationships with scholars and never taking things personally.

• Eager to Learn Under Pressure - Phoenix staff must be able to learn as they go in a fast paced, ever evolving, urgent environment. They have the desire to receive direct feedback and the ability to implement the feedback into practice quickly.

• Humility - Phoenix staff approach problem solving with curiosity and desire to understand the perspectives of others.  They carry an internalized sense of “I can always learn more” from others, and know that adults at Phoenix must model the qualities of being open-minded and willing to make mistakes and learn from them.

• Experience with Low Income Communities -  Staff have the proven ability to work across cultures and experience serving low-income communities and/or academically-disconnected adolescents.  

• Ability to Find Inspiration In the Small Things - In the face of challenge and hard work,  Phoenix staff must have the ability to find humor, inspiration, success and joy in the day to day interactions with scholars and the larger Phoenix Community.

• Personal Commitment to Cultural Proficiency and Ongoing Development - Phoenix staff are ongoing learners about diversity, equity and inclusion and seek to understand the ways that their self-identity and experiences impacts and interacts with their daily work, colleagues and scholars.

Instructional Leadership and Teacher Development Responsibilities

• Support the instructional vision of the school to ensure schoolwide academic outcomes 
• Structure formal and informal classroom observations, feedback and work blocks to support the growth and development of teachers
• Support teachers through data-driven feedback cycles
• Utilize school-wide data to evaluate teacher support structures
• Enable the growth and development of “student-centered” and innovative teaching practices; work to ensure skills of each student are tracked and adequately measured
• Model lessons and guest teach when necessary
• Teach one class per quarter
• Support the DCI with the planning and execution of the PD calendar and Teacher Institute calendar 

Student Support and Other Responsibilities

• Model handbook and professionalism at all times as relates to student-teacher; when necessary, serve as student support team member
• Support open and transparent communication between teachers and staff members in student support focused roles
• Serve as representative for the DCI at meetings and workshops throughout the year, especially as relates to DESE mandates

 Qualifications

• 2-3 years of experience supporting teachers as a curriculum director, principal, department lead or instructional coach
• Minimum 3-5 years’ experience teaching, with a record of successfully impacting student achievement and working successfully with students who have the greatest needs
• Strong pedagogical knowledge and content expertise

• Employment is based on qualifications for the role as well as a successful background check

What You’ll Get

We want you to be the best you can so you’ll receive professional development, coaching, and the resources needed for you to succeed. An open, curious and celebratory culture that embraces diversity as a leading asset and fosters equity and inclusion through affinity groups and continuous capacity building supported by our Racial, Justice and Equity working group. Competitive market comp, medical, dental, vision, mental health and wellness plans, a 403b, and employee perks such as longevity bonus and pet insurance.

 

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and as such, we do not discriminate against any team member or candidate because of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. Phoenix Charter Academy is committed to making any reasonable accommodation necessary to support an individual's employment.

 

**The Network retains the right to modify this job description at any time, for any reason, at the Network’s sole discretion**