Instructional Culture Coach; Coach Special

Instructional Culture Coach (Coach on Special Assignment)

Position Title: Instructional Culture Coach (Coach on Special Assignment)

Location: Office of Academics

Salary: DFT Salary Schedule +$3,000 stipend

Reports to: Senior Executive Director of Instruction Quality and Support

Bargaining Unit: DFT

Benefits Eligible: Yes

Travel: Travel within the district may be required.

Annual

Schedule:

40 weeks

Telecommuting Eligibility: School based. Not eligible for telecommuting

In accordance with the Agreement between Detroit Federation of Teachers and the Board of Education of the School District of the City of Detroit, the following vacancy is announced:

Position Summary:

The Instructional Culture Coach is responsible for strengthening teacher, coach, and school leader capacity to create safe, structured, culturally responsive, and academically engaging classrooms across Detroit Public Schools Community District. The COSA directly advances the Department of Instructional Quality and Support's mission to develop the knowledge, skills, and culture of every educator and school leader so that every classroom is a place where students feel safe, valued, and ready to learn.

The COSA provides school-based, job-embedded coaching aligned to the District's Vision of Excellent Instruction, with a focused emphasis on the Management, Culture & Climate domain. This role supports teachers in developing classroom environments where expectations are clear, routines are consistent, relationships are strong, students are engaged, and learning time is protected.

Through observation, directive elbow coaching, modeling, rehearsal, real-time feedback, and follow-up practice cycles, the COSA helps teachers implement high-leverage practices that improve classroom culture and strengthen instructional conditions for student success.

The COSA also partners with Assistant Principals, Deans of Culture, instructional coaches, and school leaders to help build and sustain coherent school wide systems for Management, Culture & Climate. This includes supporting consistent routines and procedures, proactive behavior supports, student engagement structures, restorative responses, positive classroom relationships, and data-informed continuous improvement. The COSA
¿ s work is grounded in the belief that classroom culture is not separate from instruction; it enables instruction. By helping teachers and leaders establish classrooms where students feel safe, respected, affirmed, and accountable for learning, the COSA supports schools in ensuring every educator and student is equipped to Thrive.

This position directly advances the Instructional Quality & Support priorities to:
Establish a district wide culture framework, deliver job-embedded coaching cycles, and strengthening School-Based leadership in culture.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required, Master's preferred
• Minimum 5 years of successful teaching experience (urban setting preferred)
• Demonstrated expertise in classroom management/culture
• Experience coaching adults or leading professional learning
• Demonstrates expertise in instructional coaching and the ability to improve teacher practice through observation, feedback, modeling, and job-embedded support.
• Applies culturally responsive and equity-centered practices to create inclusive learning environments and support equitable outcomes for all students.
• Demonstrates knowledge of adult learning theory and effectively facilitates professional learning, coaching conversations, and collaborative team meetings.
• Uses multiple sources of data to analyze trends, monitor progress, and make informed decisions that improve teaching, learning, and classroom culture.
• Demonstrates proficiency in implementing restorative practices, including restorative conferences and community circles, to strengthen relationships and promote positive student behavior.
• Collaborates effectively across schools and departments while applying systems thinking to support continuous improvement and the implementation of district wide initiatives.
• Demonstrates measurable improvement in classroom culture walkthrough scores across assigned schools.

Essential Functions:

• Provide ongoing, job-embedded coaching through regular classroom observations, actionable feedback, and deliberate practice cycles aligned to the district's Classroom Culture Framework, with an emphasis on classroom management, climate, and culture.
• Support teachers in establishing effective routines and procedures, increasing student engagement and…