Instructional Support Instructional Coach (Summer 2019)
Job Description
Breakthrough New York Overview
Breakthrough New York is a tuition-free college success program that makes a ten-year commitment to highly motivated, low-income middle school students. We support our students on their pathway to college by providing academic enrichment and guidance from grades 6-12, including a rigorous summer program while they are still in middle school. Our unique “students teaching students” model focuses on selecting and training exceptional college students to serve as Teaching Fellows (TFs) in our summer program, inspiring them to pursue careers in education. All academic classes (math, science, literature, and writing) are co-taught by a team of two TFs.
Instructional Coaching Fellowship Description
In order to ensure the successful instruction and management of our Teaching Fellows, Breakthrough hires an Instructional Coach in each academic discipline (literature, math, science, and writing) to oversee a department of 6 TFs. Instructional Coaches are experienced and successful professional teachers who provide support, training and feedback to Teaching Fellows throughout the nine-week summer program and engage fully in the Breakthrough New York community. Exemplary Instructional Coaches are experts in their specific content areas, able to guide TFs through effective planning and execution, and always hold both TFs and students to the highest expectations.
This role was designed to support classroom teachers who are interested in developing skills as instructional leaders. The role includes targeted professional development for the Instructional Coaches as well, who receive structured feedback about their leadership performance throughout the summer from their site’s Middle School Director. Responsibilities are commensurate with that of a school-year administrator, and this experience will benefit high-performing teachers looking to further expand their own skill set. Past participants have gone on to become academic Deans and Instructional Coaches in full-time school settings.
Summary of Responsibilities
Before Summer
- Modify and improve existing curriculum to meet the needs of our students and novice teachers
- Prepare presentations and workshops for TFs to ensure their internalization of curriculum
- Participate in Instructional Coach training, and support BTNY staff in TF training
During Summer
- Oversee all instructional aspects of TF work within in your department
- Observe and assess lessons, and give feedback to TFs to ensure continued growth
- Review all lesson plans, materials, and assessments far in advance of instruction
- Assist BTNY staff in various administrative roles
Qualifications
Experience
- Bachelors degree required, Master’s degree preferred
- At least two years of professional classroom experience teaching in a middle school or 9th grade
- Outstanding track record with proven student achievement, preferably in a NYC school
- Prior experience with Breakthrough is highly desirable
Skills
- Understanding of curriculum development and implementation
- Comfort and confidence in working with middle school and college-aged students
- Ability to multitask between projects and manage own time to meet goals
- Exceptional interpersonal skills, especially in areas of cultural competency, and an ability to deliver positive, constructive, and honest feedback, both written and verbal
- Creativity, energy, and commitment to excellence; professional demeanor and attitude
Schedule of Instructional Coach Duties
- Mid-April – Early May: Curriculum Development (~ 20 hours, Remote)
- Work with BTNY staff to modify and improve your department’s pre-existing curriculum
- Prepare individual presentations and workshops for each TF team (to be done remotely before the summer)
- Participate in preliminary training in BTNY teaching model
- May: Prep for Summer (~30 hours, Remote except for IC Training)
- Instructional Coach Training: Saturday, May 11th (returners complete only half-day training)
- Execute workshops for TF teams remotely on curriculum
- Assign TF teams pre-work and give feedback
- Participate in 6-8 hours of Instructional Coach training with BTNY staff
- June 17 – June 28: Teaching Fellow Training (~ 6 hours, In-Person)
- Assist in instructional and management trainings as possible
- Design and lead targeted “Department Meetings” with Teaching Fellows to further practice the material they learned during the day’s training session, provide feedback to practice teaching presentations, and work on daily lesson planning for the summer
- Train Teaching Fellows in subject-specific competencies
- Two 1.5 hour sessions per week, 4:30-6PM (total of 6 hours over 2 weeks)
- July 1 – August 2: Five-Week Summer Program (~36 hours per week, schedule variable – see details below)
- Instructional Responsibilities: supervise all instructional aspects during summer program
- Provide Teaching Fellows with support and daily professional development in instructional and management strategies through a minimum of two formal observations and growth conferences per week
- Ensure accurate tracking of student achievement data to inform instruction and plan and implement interventions
- Meet weekly with Director to discuss Teaching Fellows’ progress and personal effectiveness as an Instructional Coach
- Oversee implementation of daily elective classes
- Leadership Responsibilities: assist BTNY staff in administration
- Plan and lead weekly departmental meetings
- Serve in specialized roles such as Dean of Students, Electives Coordinator, Special Events Coordinator, and others
- Direct student support
- Manage caseload of 2-5 high-needs students – push-in or pull-out teaching, track data, and advise teachers on other support
- August 5 – 9: Evaluation Week (~10 hours, On-Site or Remote)
- Submit a final evaluation for each of your assigned Fellows, and the overall summer program
- Supervise Fellows as they assess their students’ academic performance and write final evaluation letters
- Instructional Responsibilities: supervise all instructional aspects during summer program
Summer Program Daily Schedule
The summer daily schedule for TFs is 7:30am – 5:30pm. Work as an Instructional Coach during the five-week summer program is full time. ICs will follow a BTNY set weekly schedule in order to meet all responsibilities. The summer program schedule for IC’s is as follows:
- Monday: 9AM-5PM
- Tuesday-Thursday: Two 9AM-3PM shifts and one 9AM-5PM shift (depending on individual site schedule and program ops role)
- Friday: 9AM-1PM
- Days Off: July 4 – July 5, July 12
Compensation
New Instructional Coaches will receive a stipend of $4,550, to be paid in five installments from May through early August.
Returning Instructional Coaches will receive a stipend of $4,750, also paid in five installments from May through early August.
