Teaching Matters (http://www.teachingmatters.org), a leading non-profit educational organization, is seeking exceptional educational coaches to implement a ground-breaking teacher effectiveness support model for urban schools. This career opportunity offers the right candidates the chance to have a major impact on urban K-12 teachers and students.
Teaching Matters is dedicated to increasing teacher effectiveness, one of the most critical factors in student success. Over the course of nearly two decades we have partnered with more than half of New York City’s 1,750-plus public schools. During the past year we provided in-depth programming to approximately 1,600 teachers reaching 23,000 students in over 100 schools—the majority in underserved areas.
The primary role of the early childhood literacy coach is to support schools in implementing Early Reading Matters, a new Teaching Matters professional learning offering that helps K-3 teachers become highly effective practitioners who are capable of: (1) making informed instructional decisions by examining student work and interpreting student data; (2) identifying corresponding instructional strategies for tackling learning challenges; and (3) implementing best practices in the classroom. Early Reading Matters supports the effective development of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)—teacher teams designed to accelerate student outcomes through collective work, feedback and the sharing of best practices. Work will primarily be school-based and require intensive interaction with school leaders, teacher leaders and teachers. Collaboration with colleagues on the Teaching Matters team implementing this initiative will also be a critical part of this job.
Responsibilities include:
Support teachers and school leaders in implementing the literacy block effectively through the adoption of highly leverage pedagogical practices as well as appropriate common core-aligned texts, common curricula and assessment strategies
Support teacher leaders and teachers in deepening their content and pedagogical knowledge related to early literacy instruction at professional learning/training sessions and team meetings
Execute a clear roadmap for leading teacher teams to achieve student outcomes
Facilitate idea sharing and collaboration in a group setting
Develop and empower teacher teams in collaborating for outcomes by reflecting on practice, analyzing data, and looking at student work toward the goal of improving student outcomes
Prepare early literacy team leaders to ultimately lead continuous improvement efforts
Collaborate with school leaders on maximizing the success of their teachers in addressing literacy challenges
Align teacher evaluation systems to teachers’ goal setting
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Key Qualifications:
Highly knowledgeable in research-based practices and strategies in early literacy; Masters degree in literacy education preferred
Minimum of 4 years of teaching (in an early childhood grade/ K-3) (Coaching experience preferred)
Demonstrated effectiveness in achieving ambitious, measurable student results in literacy
Experience facilitating teacher teams to achieve student outcomes
Experience delivering professional learning institutes to groups of teachers and/or coaches
Demonstrated capacity in being a catalyst for change, well organized, and collaborative problem-solver
Demonstrated knowledge of classroom management strategies
Experience in urban schools
Technology skills with current computer software, including word processing and online collaboration tools
Strong critical thinking skills
Excellent writing and communication skills
Superior interpersonal skills to motivate and lead others at all levels within a school
Demonstrates deep commitment to Teaching Matters’ mission, vision, and core values
Per Diem positions currently available.
Please be advised, this position will begin in September 2016.
Teaching Matters is unable to hire any employees of the New York City Department of Education within one year of the end of their employment.