Lead Instructional Coach (2026-2027SY)

Distinctive Schools of IL • Chicago, IL

2d • $80,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Instructional Coach is an exemplary educator who plays a critical role in building teacher capacity and their understanding of best instructional practices resulting in positive gains in student growth and achievement. The Lead Instructional Coach may also lead Tier 2 or 3 interventions for campus areas of focus.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree
• Valid Professional Educator License or equivalent in state of employment
• Valid Professional Educator License or equivalent in state of employment
• Content Area Endorsement (Academic expertise in related fields of study)
• 5 years of lead classroom teaching experience or instructional leadership experience
• 1 year of experience working in urban school setting
• Proven success of student growth
• Knowledge of and experience with evidence-based language acquisition strategies, WIDA Language Development Standards, Common Core Standards
• Ability to review and analyze student and campus data from multiple sources
• Proficient with cloud based software solutions (Google Suite)
• Ability to learn digital tools and and programs as needed for the position
• Utilize Grow to support coaching documentation
• Travel as required for training, professional development, and collaboration
• Must maintain an average of Proficient or above on annual Lead IC Performance evaluation
• Must attend DS Summer PD Institute
• Must be willing to work an extended academic calendar year of 11 months
• Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity.
• Generally, the job requires 10% sitting, 50% walking, and 40% standing.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a student-centered perspective in decision making
• Believe that all students and teachers can learn and can achieve great things
• Contribute to the equity work of the campus and network and engage in culturally responsive decision making
• Build and foster a culture of belonging through positive and professional teacher-coach relationships
• Honor teacher voice and autonomy
• Cultivate a strengths-based, equity focused mindset
• Celebrate teacher growth and development
• Facilitate Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions to support campus growth plan goals and increased student achievement
• Monitor progress of interventions and maintain accurate records
• Intervention assignments are based upon caseload size in alignment with DS Coaching Model
• Move the performance of individual teachers through goal-setting, observation, co-teaching, modeling, and goal-specific feedback
• Engage in student-focused coaching cycle towards an established goal that leads to improved instructional practices and increase student growth and achievement
• Provide weekly (minimum) coaching for those teachers actively participating in a coaching cycle
• Provide directive coaching as an extension of the formal observation process at the request of the Principal or Assistant Principal
• Prioritize support and coaching on classroom organization, structures, routines, and management, instructional planning, delivery of effective, and student-centered instruction
• Leverage use of video to support coaching and self-reflection
• Analyze classroom data in order to identify strengths and address and act upon areas of focus
• Implement and monitor action steps as determined in the Campus Growth Plan
• Utilize Grow to document feedback, meetings, coaching priorities, action steps, and accomplishments
• Dedicate and schedule time for instructional coaching in alignment with the DS Instructional Coaching Model and in partnership with the Assistant Principal and/or Principal
• Create a weekly coaching schedule that reflects coaching caseload and priorities and submit to the Assistant Principal
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Meet with the Assistant Principal/Principal weekly to review coaching cycles, receive feedback, and make mid-course corrections
• Participate in instructional coach collaboration opportunities and meet with Academic Team designee as requested
• Lead with equity-driven, evidence based practices
• Serve as a member of the schools Instructional Leadership Team and perform other ILT duties
• Contributes to the development of and implementation of the campus growth plans
• Participate in all required professional development
• Contribute to the design, planning, and facilitation of New Teacher Institute, Welcome Week, Regional Collaboration Days, and campus professional development
• Facilitate Data & Design Meetings and planning meetings for assigned teams
• Maintain personal commitment to professional growth by remaining current in research and best practices, and engaging in continuous professional learning

Benefits

• 25+ Paid holidays & 10 days PTO annually (in addition to summer break for educators/campus positions)
• 12 weeks family paid leave
• Comprehensive Healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• 403b match
• Fully match up to 3%
• 50% match up to 5%
• Professional development including tuition reimbursement
• Gym and wellness discounts

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level