Instructional Coach (internal applicants only)

Our Mission

“Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”
-Martin Luther King, Jr.

Through high expectations, a structured academic environment, and positive character development, Martin Luther King, Jr. Charter School of Excellence ensures that every student in kindergarten through grade 5 is equipped to think critically, communicate clearly, and are empowered with a strong ethical foundation to be set on the path for success in college, career, and life. The school incorporates Dr. King’s commitment to the highest standards in scholarship, civic participation, and the ideal of the beloved community.  

Who We Are

Martin Luther King, Jr. Charter School of Excellence (MLKCSE) is a free, public charter school offering a high-quality academic program and positive character building to 360 students in Kindergarten through Grade 5 in Springfield, MA. To learn more about MLKCSE please visit our website at: www.mlkcs.org

Position Description

The scope of the responsibilities includes the following:

Lead Curriculum and Assessment Development 

• Develop and execute high-quality, standards-based school curriculum and instructional content consistent with the philosophy, values, and mission of MLKCSE
• Ensure that the students’ learning experiences are exciting and rigorous
• Clearly articulate student performance goals for each grade level and work with teachers to set measurable student goals in individual classes
• Continuously monitor student achievement by analyzing independent work, benchmark assessment results, and other quantitative and qualitative data points to target interventions
• Attend and facilitate productive content team meetings
• Participate in required collaborative curriculum development, grade-level activities, meetings, professional development, and school-wide functions
• Lead a clear process for Identifying students who are not meeting benchmarks and plan appropriate interventions, tiered small groups, and/or one-on-one targeted intervention and support to students
  
  

Promote Positive School Culture 

• Work closely with the leadership team to develop a positive, structured, achievement-oriented, and creative school culture 
• Lead the implementation of values integration and character development within the classroom community
• Be highly present and visible during school hours, relentlessly ensuring the school has a strong culture
• Support execution and coordination of cross-school instructional and cultural initiatives
• Recognize and celebrate exemplary student achievement and behavior, communicating with families of students on a regular basis
• Cultivate productive relationships with all members of the school community, including faculty, students, and families
• Provide consistent and high academic and behavioral expectations for students
• Integrate the teaching of social-emotional program skills into both formal and informal teaching moments with students and model this for teachers
  
  

Coach and Facilitate Teacher Professional Development 

• Lead, coach, and supervise a portfolio of teachers
• Plan, implement, and provide ongoing professional development and feedback to all staff, focusing on building positive student relationships, student culture, and classroom community. 
• Support teachers in developing their classroom management and instructional practice (unit and lesson planning, lesson execution, and collection and use of assessment data). 
• Assess teacher and student performance
• Conduct classroom observations and follow-up with targeted feedback and support to help teachers become even more effective around classroom management, key school-wide routines and procedures, content knowledge, and instructional delivery; tailor coaching plans to teacher’s needs.
• Facilitate weekly content meetings to analyze student work, review classroom assessment data, and plan for strong instruction
• Communicate teacher performance to the Academic Director, highlighting teachers in need of Academic Director coaching due to insufficient performance.
• Complete quarterly, mid-year, and end-of-year teacher performance evaluations. 
• Organize summer training and professional development days in coordination with other Deans and the Academic Director
• Recognize and celebrate staff professional growth and success
• Provide formal and informal feedback on observations, lesson plan review, curriculum design, and more
• Develop and support a culture of reflective practice among teachers
• Lead coaching and development of Associate Teachers
  
  

Provide Operational Support and Collaboration

• Teach classes when necessary, for coverage purposes or professional development of teachers.

• Collaborate with the Leadership Team regarding daily schedule, class schedule, and student placements
• Ensure completion of report cards and progress reports.
• Participate in the teacher recruitment and hiring process, in collaboration with the Academic Director
• Frequently check email and respond to inquiries as needed within 48 hours
• Read the Weekly Memo in advance of the start of the school week
• Uphold our school’s values, school-wide key systems and student accountability systems for academics and character
• Consistently meet our school expectations for professionalism and fulfill required responsibilities in a timely and professional manner

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required, Master's Degree in related field of study preferred;
• Valid MA Teaching required; Administrator license preferred;
• 2 or more years of experience in a direct education supervisory/senior leadership/management role\

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in an urban setting preferred
• Experience working with diverse student populations preferred
• Bilingual applicants (Spanish) strongly encouraged to apply
• Minimum of three years of teaching experience as a classroom teacher (excluding student teaching, practicum, or international teaching experience)
• Licensed Reading Specialist or certified in a credible reading program strongly preferred (i.e. Wilson, LETRS, Orton Gillingham, etc.) 

Equal Opportunity Employer

MLKCSE is committed to ensuring that all of its programs and facilities are accessible to all members of the public and free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws.

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees for this job.