Instructional Coach

Workforce Diversity Statement

Newington Public Schools is committed to building, hiring, developing, and keeping a workforce that reflects the cultural, racial, ethnic, and language diversity of the community. The district aims to support student success and advance equity across all schools. To support that mission, it values strong family and community partnerships, culturally responsive organizational practices, a positive school climate, student-centered learning, a diverse and highly effective staff, equitable access for students, and fair distribution of resources. Candidates who share these values, who reflect the diversity of the community, and who are committed to continuous improvement for equity are especially encouraged to apply.

Position Overview

The Instructional Coach partners with teachers and school leaders to strengthen the high school instructional program through planning, implementation, and evaluation. As a member of the school leadership team, this role delivers ongoing, embedded professional learning for educators and supports the principal with data analysis and decisions related to professional development. The coach helps teachers deepen content knowledge, sharpen instructional practice, and build strategies that improve classroom teaching and student outcomes. The overall purpose of the role is to expand the capacity of the school and its staff so that all learners are supported effectively and achievement improves for every student.

Key Duties

• Collaborate with staff to align classroom instruction with district and school improvement priorities.
• Deliver both structured and on-the-job professional development for teachers and other staff.
• Gather objective data to guide planning and analyze student performance trends, including both contributing factors and results.
• Help teachers identify growth areas and strengthen their practice.
• Set professional growth goals with teachers.
• Focus coaching on high-impact practices that address the most urgent classroom needs.
• Support teachers in planning for implementation of new strategies.
• Demonstrate high-quality, research-based Tier 1 instruction.
• Promote instructional approaches that help shift established teaching habits.
• Support equity-centered practices with staff and administration.
• Lead reflective conversations that help teachers examine classroom practice.
• Provide direct, constructive feedback that clarifies expectations.
• Stay current on the most effective instructional approaches through ongoing research.
• Track, organize, and regularly report gains in teacher practice and student achievement connected to coaching efforts.
• Serve as a bridge between administrators and curriculum leaders for instructional and curriculum planning.
• Support selection and use of new materials and teaching methods by professional staff.
• Plan, carry out, and review professional development programs for the district.
• Help identify and secure appropriate instructional materials, textbooks, and equipment.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to set and maintain high expectations.
• Professional qualities such as respect, patience, compassion, honesty, and a kind approach.
• Strong teaching practice aligned with research-based methods, the Common Core of Teaching, and the CT Framework for Evaluation and Support.
• Commitment to ongoing personal and professional growth.
• Understanding of curriculum design and development.
• Familiarity with improvement planning, DDDM, MTSS, and special education.
• Knowledge of national, state, and local education goals.
• Comfort using word processing, database, and spreadsheet tools.
• Strong speaking, writing, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to build trust.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality when required.
• Ability to develop, encourage, and motivate staff.
• Capacity to learn the operations and responsibilities of the school district.
• Ability to use computers and related software effectively.
• Ability to compile and organize data as needed.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with coworkers.
• Willingness and ability to learn new products and technologies.

Physical, Mental, and Environmental Conditions

• Daily use of video display terminals is required.
• Must be able to hear standard sounds with some background noise and communicate clearly.
• Requires concentration on detailed and complex work while dealing with frequent interruptions in a school environment.
• Ability to stay focused on tasks for more than 60 minutes at a time.
• Must be able to remember and manage multiple assignments over extended periods.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision.

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates must have at least 5 years of successful teaching experience, preferably at the high school level. Connecticut State Department of Education certification is required in any content area for grades 7-12, with a preference for STEM- or humanities-related subjects.

Additional Notes

The description provided here is intended to give a general sense of the role and is not a complete list of every task or responsibility that may be assigned.