Instructional Coach

New Way Academy is an independent, K-12 day school in Phoenix, Arizona. Our mission is to create a dynamic school experience that empowers children with learning differences to maximize their potential and prepare for life beyond our doors. We continually strive to provide exemplary educational instruction, state-of-the-art remediation for areas of challenge, optimal social experiences, and the opportunity to unlock strengths and talents.

As a result, New Way develops confident lifelong learners who lead enhanced, productive lives and serve as positive examples of what individuals with learning differences can achieve.

New Way’s core values of respect, community, ownership, quality and engagement are at the heart of all that we do. New Way Academy is dedicated to approaching justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives with an intentional global mindset that places value and recognition on the diverse community members of New Way.

The Instructional Coach serves as an instructional mentor and leader for the K-12 faculty. This role is dedicated to elevating the quality of instruction through observation, feedback, and the facilitation of weekly professional development.

Unlike an administrative role focused on evaluation, the Instructional Coach partners with teachers to implement best practices in special education, analyze student data to drive instruction, and ensure curriculum alignment. The Instructional Coach supports the overarching mission of the school by ensuring that every student receives engaging, relevant, and rigorous instruction tailored to their learning differences.

Instructional Leadership & Professional Development

• Lead Weekly PD:
  Design, organize, and facilitate weekly professional development meetings based on identified teacher needs and school-wide strategic goals.
• Teacher Mentorship:
  Provide ongoing leadership and modeling of instructional practice. This includes supporting the implementation of:
  • Best practices in special education and differentiation
  • Kagan cooperative learning structures
  • Backwards-design unit and lesson planning processes
  • Effective classroom management strategies
• Pedagogical Guidance:
  Possess a clear and effective pedagogy that embodies the belief that instruction must be rigorous and accessible; communicate this pedagogy effectively to faculty to build a cohesive academic culture.
• Onboarding:
  Assist in the onboarding and training of new academic staff regarding New Way’s specific instructional methodologies.

Curriculum and Assessment

• Curriculum Alignment:
  Collaborate with K-12 academic teachers to develop vertically aligned and rigorous curricula to meet students’ needs; analyze curricula across levels to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Assessment Coordination:
  Implement the plan for standardized assessment (i.e., MAP) across levels, including administration logistics and the communication of results to stakeholders.
• Data Analysis:
  Lead the data analysis process, helping teachers interpret assessment results to make appropriate instructional adjustments and flexible student groupings.
• Reporting:
  Manage the review process of quarterly reports generated by teachers to ensure quality and accuracy.

Collaboration and Strategy

• Strategic Planning:
  The Instructional Coach is a 10-month position aligning with the academic calendar. However, the Coach will collaborate with the leadership team to identify specific summer work weeks to accomplish strategic initiatives and curriculum mapping.
• Special Education Expertise:
  Maintain a deep understanding of special education instructional practices, including accommodations, modifications, and the nuances of specific diagnoses (Dyslexia, ADHD, etc.).

• Exemplar Educator: A leader with a history of high performance as a classroom teacher, capable of modeling instructional best practices for staff.
• Educational Advocate: A confident and knowledgeable advocate for students with learning differences.
• Proactive Leader:
  An intuitive decision-maker who anticipates the needs of the team before they arise.
• Adaptive Communicator:
  An effective communicator with the ability to…