Literacy Coach

University of Maryland•College Park, MD

21h•Onsite

About The Position

Organization's Summary Statement: Project ECHO (Evidence-Based Coaching for Higher Outcomes): Improving Literacy Outcomes through Research-Practice Partnerships is a five-year initiative funded by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) with federal funds from the U.S. Department of Education’s Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) program, administered by the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. This project represents a research-practice partnership between Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and the University of Maryland (UMD) to build sustainable, system-wide middle school literacy infrastructure. Project ECHO focuses on implementing two key interventions: ● PACT Plus, an evidence-based set of comprehension building practices, and ● AIM Coaching, an adaptive intervention model that emphasizes ongoing professional learning, collaboration, and differentiated support for teachers as they implement PACT Plus across the content-area and supplemental intervention setting. Coaches hired through UMD will serve a critical role in bridging research and practice. They will support school-based implementation, strengthen teacher capacity, and facilitate feedback loops between schools and the research team to ensure instructional integrity and sustained impact. Job Summary: Dr. Jade Wexler from the Department of Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education in the College of Education at the University of Maryland seeks two individuals to serve as AIM Literacy Coaches. AIM Coaches will be embedded within MCPS middle schools during the life of the project (2025-2029) to support the implementation of PACT Plus. During the 2025-26 school year, coaches will participate in professional learning related to PACT Plus and AIM Coaching. Further, they will develop relationships with school staff and work with the research team to assist with classroom observations and data collection. During the remaining project years, coaches will provide direct instructional coaching using the AIM Coaching Model to support teachers as they deliver PACT Plus lessons, and work with schools to ensure the practices are sustained beyond the life of the project.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in education, literacy, special education, or a related field
At least 3 years of experience teaching in grades 6–12 (ELA, social studies, science, or special education)
Familiarity with explicit instruction and/or academic interventions
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Ability to work collaboratively with school personnel and university researchers
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple responsibilities
Ability to travel regularly to local middle schools (schools located in Montgomery County, MD)

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in education, special education, or related field
Experience with instructional coaching or teacher leadership
Experience working with students with disabilities or multilingual learners
Experience with evidence-based adolescent literacy instruction and/or intervention

Responsibilities

Participate in PACT Plus and AIM Coaching professional development trainings
Develop rapport and trust with school staff
Conduct structured classroom observations using project protocols
Assist with collection of student outcome data
Develop materials in collaboration with other research team and MCPS team members
Participate in research team meetings and contribute feedback from the field
Provide job-embedded coaching and support to teachers in implementing the PACT Plus practices
Engage in regular coaching cycles using the AIM Coaching Model
Engage in data collection activities
Collaborate with school-based leaders and project staff to monitor progress and address barriers
Document coaching activities and implementation fidelity
Contribute to continuous improvement efforts and practice-informed research