Position Title: Lower School Instructional CoachFLSA Status: ExemptPosition Purpose: The Lower School Instructional Coach serves as an instructional leader responsible for strengthening teaching and learning while fostering a positive, safe, and productive school culture in the lower school. The Instructional Coach partners with teachers through coaching, observation, feedback, and professional development to improve instructional practice and student outcomes while also serving as the primary leader for student behavior, culture, and discipline in Kinderhaus, E1, and E2 (Grades K-6).Working collaboratively with the Director of Instruction (Academic Lead) and school leadership, the Lower School Instructional Coach supports implementation of the school's instructional vision, evaluates teacher performance, promotes authentic Montessori practice, and helps ensure a consistent, joyful, and academically rigorous learning environment for all students.Core Responsibilities: Instructional Coaching and Teacher Development: The Lower School Instructional Coach will: * Coach and develop teachers through regular classroom observations, feedback, modeling, and instructional support.* Conduct formal teacher observations and evaluations in accordance with school evaluation systems.* Support teachers in implementing authentic Montessori practice aligned with grade-level standards.* Use classroom observation data to identify instructional strengths and areas for growth.* Facilitate individual coaching cycles focused on improving instructional practice and student outcomes.* Facilitate and gradually build teacher capacity to lead effective data meetings focused on student learning, instructional adjustments, and intervention planning.* Partner with teachers to analyze student work and assessment data to inform instructional planning and differentiation.* Support onboarding and mentoring of new teachers.* Collaborate with the Director of Instruction to ensure consistency in instructional expectations across classrooms.Student Culture and Behavior Support: The Lower School Instructional Coach will: * Serve as the primary leader for student behavior, discipline, and culture in the lower school.* Support teachers in establishing proactive classroom management systems aligned with Montessori philosophy.* Respond to student behavioral concerns and partner with teachers and families to develop appropriate supports.* Promote a safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environment.* Analyze behavior data to identify trends and proactively strengthen school culture.* Collaborate with student support staff to ensure students receive appropriate behavioral and social-emotional supports.Instructional Leadership: The Lower School Instructional Coach will: * Support implementation of the school's instructional vision and improvement priorities.* Monitor instructional quality and student engagement across lower school classrooms.* Partner with the Director of Instruction (Academic Lead) to plan and facilitate professional learning aligned to school priorities.* Support the Director of Instruction in creating and sustaining River Valley Communities of Practice that foster collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement across levels and departments.* Co-facilitate level planning meetings with Level Coordinators/Level Leads to strengthen instructional planning, alignment, and collaborative problem solving.* Coordinate cross-level planning sessions that strengthen instructional coherence and smooth student transitions across Montessori levels.* Support implementation of schoolwide academic initiatives and continuous improvement efforts.Collaboration and Leadership: The Lower School Instructional Coach will: * Collaborate with school leadership, specialists, interventionists, and support staff to ensure coordinated support for students.* Participate in leadership meetings and contribute to schoolwide planning and decision-making.* Collaborate closely with the Student Services team to ensure instructional, behavioral, and intervention supports are coordinated for all students.* Partner with specialists, interventionists, and related service providers to support student success.* Build strong partnerships with families to support student success.* Maintain effective communication with staff regarding instructional priorities and student needs.* Maintain effective communication with staff regarding instructional priorities and student needs.* Perform additional leadership responsibilities as assigned by the Executive Director.Essential Functions: The essential functions of the Lower School Instructional Coach position include, but are not limited to: * Coaching teachers through classroom observations, feedback, modeling, and professional learning.* Conducting classroom observations and contributing to teacher evaluations in partnership with the Director of Instruction (Academic Lead).* Supporting the Director of Instruction in implementing the school's teacher evaluation system through observation, feedback, documentation, and coaching.* Supporting implementation of authentic Montessori instruction aligned with school expectations and grade-level standards.* Leading student behavior, discipline, and culture initiatives within the lower school.* Building positive relationships with students, families, and staff while supporting a safe and productive learning environment.* Using instructional and behavioral data to inform coaching and school improvement efforts.* Collaborating with school leadership to implement instructional systems and schoolwide initiatives.* Communicating effectively with teachers, families, and staff regarding instructional and student support needs.* Performing duties requiring frequent classroom visits, movement throughout the school, and active engagement with students and staff.* Regular and reliable attendance.Performance Expectations: Performance will be evaluated based on: Instructional Leadership* Teachers demonstrate growth in instructional practice through coaching and feedback.* Classroom instruction reflects the school's instructional vision, Montessori philosophy, and grade-level expectations.* Coaching cycles are purposeful, evidence-based, and lead to measurable improvement.Student Culture and School Climate* Student behavior expectations are consistently implemented across the lower school.* Student discipline is managed fairly, proactively, and in alignment with school values.* Positive school culture is evident in classrooms and common spaces.Leadership and Execution* Teacher evaluations, coaching documentation, and instructional follow-up are completed accurately and on time.* Professional learning and school initiatives are implemented effectively.* Strong collaboration with the Director of Instruction and school leadership supports coherent instructional systems.Professional Responsibilities* Demonstrates professionalism, sound judgment, and instructional credibility.* Builds trusting relationships with teachers, students, and families.* Responds positively to feedback and models continuous learning.* Demonstrates reliability, initiative, and commitment to the school's mission.
