Instructional Coach

Minimum Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s Degree required 

• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience, with proven ability to deliver strong, measurable results   

• Deep knowledge of instructional strategy, with a focused understanding of interventions for students not performing on grade level   

• Well-versed in social emotional learning and adult learning principles   

• Experience presenting and facilitating training for adult learners  

• Outstanding ability to communicate with diverse audiences  

• Comfortability with both large and small group facilitation, as well as 1:1 coaching   

Responsibilities 

The Instructional Coach will perform the following roles and responsibilities as described below:   

Observations & Coaching  

• Observe each AmeriCorps member (ACM) in your portfolio at least once a month with the Impact Manager (IM) as they work either as a whole class support, one-on-one sessions, or as they lead a tutoring session with their focus list students.   

• Track the key questions ACMs ask, student actions and responses, as well as the seating arrangements or examples of student work.   

• Debrief (DB) each ACM after each observation. Debrief conversations should include:  

• Reflections of the day’s small group session  

• Follow up on any notes/ steps from previous debrief session.  

• Review of student progress logs, sample work, data, grades, assessments for action steps towards growth  

• Model best practice and planning strategies  

• The development of new action steps & strategic planning for ACM who needs further support and/or guidance  

• Input and update observation notes and feedback into the coaching logs  

Staff Instructional Capacity & Support  

• Develop and implement staff instructional training and resources to support the successful implementation of the Academic Strategy and Model   

• Collaborate with the Site Instructional Leadership Team and Site Instructional Rounds to ensure the consistent development of instructional leadership at the site   

• Engage in co-observation and coaching with intentional debriefs in order to support academic model implementation, improve site instructional practices, and coach staff to improve individual practice   

• Engage in consistent critical thinking around how internal and external systems impact our academic work with students through the lens of racism and poverty and actively work toward anti-racist, equitable and inclusive instruction for all students  

Core Knowledge & Support  

• Develop and implement corps instructional trainings and resources to support the successful implementation of the Academic Strategy and Model   

• Engage in observation and coaching in order to support the fidelity and quality of the academic model implementation and reach student outcome goals   

• Support data driven instruction practices at the site through supporting the training and coaching on using data to inform instruction, and collaborating with Impact Analytics staff on effective data review and analysis   

• Provide feedback on session planning, data driven instruction and progress monitoring tools to improve corps practice   

Organizational Initiatives and Site Support  

• Participate in site and network-wide meetings and calls, providing insight, feedback, and collective problem solving.   

• Engage in structured discussion and training on diversity, belonging, inclusivity and belonging aimed at developing stronger cultural competency, both individually and collectively as a site   

• Partner with City Year Chicago’s departments and staff to ensure that site-wide goals are met, including, but not limited to, the AmeriCorps member applicant interview process, stakeholder engagement, event and service day participation, and cross-departmental committees   

• Attend conferences throughout the year, as well as additional engagement and training activities throughout the year  

Collaboration & Learning 

• Collaborates effectively with teammates to achieve shared goals and foster an inclusive environment. 

• Role models a growth mindset and commitment to City Year’s culture and values as a leader within a youth-serving organization. 

• Performs additional responsibilities as assigned by the direct supervisor to advance City Year’s mission. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• City Year/AmeriCorps experience is a plus 

• Awareness of and experience in engaging in conversation and developing practices grounded in diversity, belonging, inclusion, and equity   

• Experience working within large, urban school districts a plus   

• Strong initiative and ability to work independently to achieve goals   

• Efficient time management skills: ability to meet deadlines and prioritize multiple projects    

• Ability to adapt and excel in diverse, youthful, high energy, entrepreneurial, and rapidly-changing environment  

• Passion for education and youth development   

Competencies 

In order to succeed in this role, an applicant must have the following competencies:  

• Collaboration: Connects with stakeholders to identify shared interests; partners with others to incorporate different perspectives toward a common goal. 

• Teamwork: Actively contributes to shared projects with the understanding that team success is personal success. 

• Understanding & Building Connection: Considers perspectives of others and cultivates relationships to strengthen interpersonal bonds with colleagues and external stakeholders. 

• Learning: Strives to continuously develop and improve self, teams, and organization. 

• Developing & Empowering Others: Creates opportunities for others to learn, develop, take action, and lead. 

Working Conditions 

• This is a year-round, in-person, primarily school-based position.  ICs are required to work in the schoolhouse a minimum of 4 days per week, except on days they need to attend in-person meeting and/or work outside of the schoolhouse.  

• Generally follows a schedule aligned with school-day and afterschool hours (typically between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.), with occasional early mornings, evenings, or weekend hours for events, trainings, or service days.  

• Position requires travel between multiple school sites within the district and occasional local travel for City Year events.   

• Must be able to work in a fast-paced, youth-centered school environment, with a noise level that can range from moderate to high.  

• Occasional lifting or carrying of materials (e.g., event supplies, training materials) up to ~20 lbs.  

• Reliable transportation to and from school sites and office locations is required, or ability and willingness to navigate public transit system.    

• Must have reliable internet access when participating in any required virtual meetings or training.