KANSAS CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Job Description 

Job Title:           Teaching Methods Coach

Job Title Code:   01545

Salary Grade:     TC01-T06 

Department:      Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Development

Reports To:        Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction,

                          & Professional Development

FLSA Status:      Exempt

Date Prepared:  March 2014           

PURPOSE OF JOB: 

To increase student achievement by providing job-embedded professional development to teachers using a variety of coaching and modeling protocols. The Teaching Methods Coach works with the intent of building the capacity of teachers to use data to plan and adjust instruction, implement evidence-based practices, integrate technology into teaching and learning in meaningful ways, and prepare students for high-stakes assessments.  The coach exhibits effective interpersonal skills that reflect for others the importance of collegial interactions for promoting student learning, including the ability to maintain teacher confidentiality. The person listens effectively to others, understanding both formal and informal dialogue, and communicates in a manner that inspires trust, communicates respect and is nonjudgmental in nature. The individual exhibits exceptional skills in using technology in the classroom and in employing instructional coaching skills.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

COACHING SERVICES

• Work with the principal to develop individual and/or staff coaching plans in response to district curriculum and instruction initiatives.
• Determine appropriate methods to provide classroom-based support for implementation of new and or refined instructional practices and integration of technology.
• Observe instructional practices and provide meaningful and timely feedback to teachers.
• Model and/or demonstrate lessons inside a coaching cycle that includes; pre and post-conferencing, observation rubric, and teacher observation with feedback.
• Plan collaboratively with teachers for the continuation, modification or initial use of specific instructional techniques, strategies or approaches including technology integration.
• Guide and assist teachers in establishing effective classroom practices including, but not limited to, the areas of: physical environment, rules/procedures, classroom culture and relationships, academic expectations, classroom management, the development of students tracking their own data and student engagement.
• Assist teachers in the development and implementation of effective classroom management strategies, individual behavioral intervention plans, instructional planning, and classroom organization, as needed.
• Co-teach in the classroom as a means of providing support and guidance to teachers.
• Guide and assist teachers in using assessment data and/or student work to plan instruction and develop lesson plans.
• Guide and assist teachers in the use of formative assessments to measure student learning.
• Guide and assist teachers with the development of systems for students to track their individual progress.
• Serve as an assessment resource.
• Observe student response to instruction, providing constructive feedback to staff.
• Meet regularly with the principal to assess coaching progress.
• Serve as a liaison between the school and the Curriculum, Instruction and Professional Development district staff by attending monthly department meetings.
• Stay abreast of national and state standards, and current trends and issues related to assigned content area and best practice.
• Partner with campus principals and Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction in identifying, analyzing, and applying research findings to promote school improvement.
• Other duties as assigned.

INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT

• Provide professional development on the integration of technology into classroom instruction and assessment.
• Present model lessons using Pearson digital resources, wireless devices, student laptops and/or tablets, document cameras, and interactive whiteboards.
• Work in classrooms with teachers and their students to effectively utilize digital resources.

PAROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Attend all designated Teaching Methods Coach professional development workshops led by the Curriculum, Instruction and Professional Development district staff to enhance knowledge and skills.
• Deliver district-designed professional development modules in small and/or large group forums.
• Create opportunities for follow-up support to improve teacher implementation of skills learned in professional development workshops.
• Present Professional Development sessions to the building staff he/she serves that are based upon the academic needs of the students and staff as reflected by formative and summative assessment results.

EVALUATION

• The individual will be evaluated using the district-adopted evaluation tool and the assessment performance of the classrooms for which he/she serves.
• Other duties as assigned. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:  None

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Literacy focus, Math focus, or Teaching Methods Coach

• Bachelor's Degree in Education from a four-year college or university.
• Literacy: K-12 Special Reading Certification or Masters in Reading or have passed the Praxis; Mathematics: Content Knowledge Examination to earn DESE Math 5-9 certification; Teaching  Methods: content level expertise or have passed the Praxis.
• Minimum of three (3) years classroom teaching experience matching the grade level(s) and/or content area in which the candidate will be coaching.
• Demonstrated experience and/or training in current techniques and skills in teaching students.
• Valid Missouri teaching certificate.
• Content-specific knowledge of the Missouri Learning Standards and other content specific standards documents articulated by Missouri’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
• Knowledge of adult learning theory and sound professional development practices.
• Experience in professional development delivery and knowledge of web-based professional development.
• Knowledge of the use of interactive software and hardware in the classroom.
• Knowledge of effective application of technology in K-12 classroom environment.
• Knowledge in Curriculum Alignment and in Instructional Methodologies.
• Skill in Training/Development and in Planning/Organization.
• Experience with various technology resources and applications including Pearson digital products, interactive whiteboard applications, web-based networking tools, and Microsoft Office suite.
• Demonstrated experience and/or training in current strategies to integrate technology at the elementary and/or secondary level.

SPECIFIC REQUIRED QUALIFICATONS:

• To qualify for Literacy Coach, applicant must hold Missouri teaching certification and K-12 Special Reading certificate or proper grade level certification and a Masters in Reading and content area level expertise.   (If applicant has a Masters in Reading, attach a copy of the transcripts so appropriate certification can be made.)
• To qualify for Math Coach, applicant must have proper grade level certification and possess content level expertise OR pass the Praxis Mathematics: Content Knowledge Examination to earn Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Department Mathematics 5-9 certification.
• To qualify for a Curriculum Methods Coach, applicant must have proper grade level certification and have content level expertise OR pass the Curriculum and Instruction Praxis.
• The candidates must agree to participate in annual summer workshops and on-going training throughout the school year.
• Potential candidates not possessing all of the qualifications of an instructional coach must enroll in the two (2) year, District-provided reading certification program through UMKC for a Literacy Instructional Coach or pass the Math Praxis examination for a Mathematics Instructional Coach or pass the Curriculum and Instruction Praxis for a Curriculum Methods Instructional Coach.  Failure to become highly qualified within the two (2) year period from date of hiring will result in the termination of the employee at the end of the first year of employment unless progress is being made. The decision as to whether progress is being made is in the sole discretion of the District. By signing this job description, a potential candidate acknowledges and agrees to earn the appropriate reading or math certification within two (2) years of the signing date, and that potential candidate will be terminated at any time at the discretion of the District for failure to obtain the certification or make sufficient progress thereto. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

This job requires that the employee be able to: sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, use hands, fingers, reach with hands and fingers; bend, stoop, lift objects of at least ten pounds.  Job requires the employee occasionally to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.  Visual ability requires mono and color vision, close vision, distance vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. 

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Required Availability:  Teacher contract plus 10 days in summer with stipend pay.

*This is a grant funded position, which exits for not longer than the duration of applicable grant funding.

Length of work year:  10 month   8 hours per day; 5 days/week; 185 work days 

Benefits:     Health and Dental Insurance are provided. 

KCPS Defined Benefit Pension plan – mandatory 9% contribution is required from employee and matched by KCPS; Voluntary retirement savings plans are also available.