Early College Instructional Coach
The Texas High School Project

Dallas, Texas

ABOUT THE TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT

The Texas High School Project (THSP) seeks experienced teachers to serve as instructional coaches in the Early College Initiative, a nationally recognized reform program with the goal of enabling all students, particularly those from traditionally underserved populations, to attain a college degree. Early college high schools blend high school and college, offering students the opportunity to earn a high school diploma and up to 60 college credits at no cost.

In partnership with Jobs for the Future (JFF), a Massachusetts-based education non-profit, the Texas High School Project has created an instructional coaching program where instructional coaches lead a school-wide professional development process to help teachers, across content areas, develop a consistent and coherent pedagogical framework. The program focuses on the use of six instructional strategies, proven to help all students engage in challenging material: collaborative group work, writing to learn, literacy groups, classroom talk, scaffolding and questioning.

After participating in a training program led by JFF, the instructional coach, who acts as an external consultant working at the school for 3 days per month, leads workshops on the instructional strategies noted above. Then, the coach works one-on-one with teachers to model lessons, co-teach, and conduct clinical observations and also supports the principal to implement the professional development strand designed by JFF. The instructional coach partners with an internal coach from the faculty to ensure the sustainability of the initiative.

The Texas High School Project is hiring instructional coaches to support schools beginning in the 2009-2010 academic year. Instructional coaches will participate in JFF’s training and orientation program, which includes regular convenings with other instructional coaches. Coaches will work in 2-5 early college high schools, serving at each school for 2-4 days per month.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead structured professional development workshops for full school faculty.

• Model and co-teach using best-practice instructional strategies in content area classes.

• Conduct pre-observation sessions, observations and post-observation analysis of student learning in content area classes.

• Facilitate peer observations

• Review student achievement data, facilitate workshops and coach teachers to use data to inform their daily classroom instruction

• Work with the principal to organize professional development meetings, staff newsletters about instruction, etc.

• Support internal (school-based) instructional coaches

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to work well with people – productive and positive interpersonal skills
• 5 or more years of successful teaching experience in a core content area
• Demonstrated record of achievement for diverse learners
• Knowledge and experience implementing best practices in instruction
• Strong knowledge of adolescent literacy issues
• Experience using assessment tools and analyzing student data
• Ability to manage multiple projects effectively and with a degree of independence
• Knowledge of effective adult learning practices and experience facilitating for adults
• Masters degree or higher

Compensation: Commensurate with experience.

TO APPLY:

Submit a cover letter, resume, writing samples and references to:

THSP-CoachingStaff@gononprofit.com.

Jobs for the Future is an equal opportunity employer.