Job Title
Instructional Coach for Pre-K/Early Childhood (Immediate Hire)

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District Name
Syracuse City School District

Certification(s)/Licensure(s) required

Early Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 2)

Posted on
Nov 15, 2018

Expiry Date
Until Filled

Job Description

ABOUT OUR DISTRICT

The Syracuse City School District is undergoing a new phase of innovation and transformation with the goal of ensuring that all students graduate high school with the skills needed to be ready for college and career. For Syracuse, all means all - including students who fall behind or have been considered "hard to serve" for a host of reasons. The School Board and Syracuse community have charged Superintendent Jaime Alicea with improving student achievement, and he is seeking a dedicated team of school leaders and teachers to partner with him in moving the district toward its goals. The Syracuse City School District represents 34 schools and 4 alternative education programs, serving 21,000+ students Pre-K-12 of whom 80% qualify for free or reduced price lunch, 19% are served by the Office of Special Education and 77% are students of color.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Department of Early Childhood is hiring an instructional coach to support teachers of 3-year-old's and 4-year-old's in full day and half day programs within the district and in collaboration with outside agencies.

The primary role of the Pre-K Instructional coach is to work with teachers to support best practices in using data, provide analysis of department-wide trends in instruction and make recommendations about potential next steps to address areas of need. As an advisor to teachers and administrators, the instructional coach is responsible for providing support in designing of units and lessons, content knowledge in early childhood, analyzing data in order to modify curriculum and forms of assessment and sharing of best practices.

REPORTS TO: Director of Early Childhood Education

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Engage teachers in dialogue regarding student performance data and assist them in planning differentiated instruction
• Provide comprehensive instructional coaching in early childhood education.
• Collaborate with teachers and provide specific strategies for improved instructional delivery in learning center based instruction
• Serve as a resource in identifying appropriate research-based instructional strategies and interventions to improve achievement for students in Pre-K. Specific emphasis will be placed on appropriate strategies for improving the academic achievement of English Language Learners (ELLs) and students with disabilities.
• Support teachers by providing feedback on lessons and assessments that align with the Common Core State Standards and the Syracuse City School District curriculum.
• Provide professional development and materials to support Pre-K teachers, TAs, and related service providers.
• Provide expert advice to teachers on improving and enhancing individual lessons and units based on ongoing analysis. This will include, but is not limited to:
• Reviewing lesson plans, unit plans and assessments
• Understanding the District curriculum
• Observing classroom instruction and offering comprehensive analysis and feedback
• Conducting demonstrations and modeling lessons for classroom teachers
• Engaging teachers in dialogue regarding student performance data and assisting them in planning differentiated instruction
• Support the development of curriculum and advise pacing
• Cultivate a standards-based, data and results-oriented culture.
• Make recommendations on best practices for supporting curricular alignment across all classrooms
• Collaborate with other Pre-K coaches and Pre-K administration in determining appropriate resources and support for teachers.
• Lead teacher study groups to increase content and pedagogical knowledge of early childhood education
• Collaborate with the teacher support team to develop and implement plans designed to assist struggling students.
• Complete any additional duties as assigned by the Director of Early Childhood.

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

• Strong record of helping students achieve academic success, primarily with minority and low-income students.
• Experience in analyzing data and using results to modify lessons.
• Knowledge of and experience with backwards designed curricular models and Understanding by Design.
• Significant experience with instructional best practices.
• Ability to model positive and healthy character traits and habits, such as being organized, consistent and understanding.
• Unquestioned integrity and commitment to the SCSD mission and willingness to serve the SCSD community.
• Experience in professional development and leadership roles working with adults
• Ability to plan, model, coach and provide feedback to individual teachers and teams of teachers to improve teaching and learning.
• Experience implementing effective instructional practices, designing engaging lessons, using data and formative assessment in the classroom
• Ability to articulate and demonstrate outstanding early childhood pedagogy.
• Strong knowledge of New York State Pre-Kindergarten Foundation for the Common Core.
• Additional preferred experience includes:
• Experience working with students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and English as a New Language (ENL) students
• Fluent with instructional technology and proficient in Microsoft Office programs
• Experience leading a team of related service providers and teaching assistants
• Experience teaching 3-year-old's

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of 5 years' excellent teaching experience in Pre-K classroom.
• NYS Certification in Early Childhood. This requires at least a Bachelor's degree. Licensed teachers from other states may qualify for reciprocity . (Teachers with additional certification in Special Education or TESOL encouraged to apply.)
• Please note that New York State requires a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 for certification, and one hired, this proof will be kept on file in the Office of Human Resources.
• Excellent organizational, communication and facilitation skills.
• Possess an entrepreneurial spirit; be flexible, willing and able to play different roles in the department, and to go above and beyond to meet the varied and constant needs of the students of the SCSD.
• Training and or experience with Culturally Relevant Education (preferred)
• Prior demonstration of exemplary attendance is expected of any candidate for hire.
• Once offered, you will be required to declare that all previous obligations with an employing school district have been met and you are not seeking this position with the intent of resigning from a previous commitment in which you have not served.
• City Residents are encouraged to apply!

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work beyond the ten-month school year and student day.

SALARY/SALARY RANGE:

• The current starting salary for SCSD Teachers is $48,500. With proof of outside related experience and college transcripts, the salary will be increased pursuant to the Unit 1 contractual agreement.
• Building-based Instructional Coaches will also have an annual stipend of $8,000.
• Teachers who are assigned to work at schools with extended learning time will receive an additional stipend.
• Teachers will have opportunities to teach in our Summer School Programs, receiving an hourly rate of $42.69.
• Teachers with experience and a deep background in Urban Education may qualify for the District's Urban Fellowship Program. For details of the program and its requirements, please click HERE .