PreK Instructional Coach (Bilingual)

PREK INSTRUCTIONAL COACH (BILINGUAL)

ABOUT OUR DISTRICT

The Syracuse City School District is undergoing a new phase of innovation and transformation with the goal of ensuring that all students graduate high school with the skills needed to be ready for college and career. For Syracuse, all means all - including students who fall behind academically or have been considered "hard to support" for a host of reasons. The School Board and Syracuse community have charged the Superintendent with improving student achievement, and he is seeking a dedicated and diverse team of school leaders and teachers to partner with him in moving the district toward its goals. The Syracuse City School District represents 34 schools and 4 alternative education programs, serving 19,000+ students Pre-K-12 of whom 77% qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, 18% are served by the Office of Special Education and 78% are students of color.

WHO WE WANT:

Successful SCSD educators are passionately committed to urban education and all in for Syracuse students. They:

• Believe strongly that all students can learn at high levels;
• Demonstrate commitment to serving urban students, schools or communities, and to closing the achievement gap;
• Demonstrate willingness to put the interests of students above all others;
• Actively contributes to a culture of high expectations in their school and district;
• Adapt seamlessly to the complexities of the urban school environment; and
• Follow current trends in education policy and research, including Common Core standards, comprehensive assessment systems and data-driven instruction.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Department of Early Childhood is hiring a Bilingual instructional coach to support teachers of 3-year-old's and 4-year-olds in full day and half day programs within the district and in collaboration with outside agencies.  The primary role of the Pre-K Instructional coach is to work with teachers to support best practices in using data, provide analysis of department-wide trends in instruction and make recommendations about potential next steps to address areas of need.  As an advisor to teachers and administrators, the instructional coach is responsible for providing support in designing units and lessons, content knowledge in early childhood, analyzing data to modify curriculum and forms of assessment and sharing of best practices.

REPORTS TO: Director of Early Childhood Education

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:                

• Engage teachers in dialogue regarding student performance data and assist them in planning differentiated instruction
• Provide comprehensive instructional coaching in early childhood education. 
• Collaborate with teachers and provide specific strategies for improved instructional delivery in learning center-based instruction
• Serve as a resource in identifying appropriate research-based instructional strategies and interventions to improve achievement for students in Pre-K. Specific emphasis will be placed on appropriate strategies for improving the academic achievement of English Language Learners (ELLs) and students with disabilities.
• Support teachers by providing feedback on lessons and assessments that align with the Common Core State Standards and the Syracuse City School District curriculum.
• Provide professional development and materials to support Pre-K teachers, TAs, and related service providers. 
• Provide expert advice to teachers on improving and enhancing individual lessons and units based on ongoing analysis.  This will include, but is not limited to: 
  • Reviewing lesson plans, unit plans and assessments
  • Understanding the District curriculum
  • Observing classroom instruction and offering comprehensive analysis and feedback
  • Conducting demonstrations and modeling lessons for classroom teachers
  • Engaging teachers in dialogue regarding student performance data and assisting them in planning differentiated instruction
• Support the development of curriculum and advise pacing 
• Cultivate a standards-based, data and results-oriented culture.
• Make recommendations on best practices for supporting curricular alignment across all classrooms
• Collaborate with other Pre-K coaches and Pre-K administration in determining appropriate resources and support for teachers.
• Lead teacher study groups to increase content and pedagogical knowledge of early childhood education
• Collaborate with the teacher support team to develop and implement plans designed to assist struggling students.
• Complete any additional duties assigned by the Director of Early Childhood.

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

• Strong record of helping students achieve academic success, primarily with students of color and low-income students.
• Significant experience with curriculum development and daily lesson planning.
• Experience in analyzing data and using results to modify lessons.
• Knowledge of and experience with backwards designed curricular models and Understanding by Design.
• Significant experience with instructional best practices.
• Ability to model positive and healthy character traits and habits, such as being organized, consistent and understanding.
• Comfort and willingness to actively participate in school community.
• Unquestioned integrity and commitment to the SCSD mission and willingness to serve the SCSD community.
• Experience in professional development and leadership roles working with adults
• Ability to plan, model, coach and provide feedback to individual teachers and teams of teachers to improve teaching and learning.
• Experience implementing effective instructional practices, designing engaging lessons, using data and formative assessment in the classroom and implementing the four-tiered intervention system.
• Ability to articulate and demonstrate outstanding early childhood pedagogy.
• Strong knowledge of New York State Pre-Kindergarten Foundation for the Common Core.
• Additional preferred experience includes:
  • Experience working with students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and English as a New Language (ENL) students
  • Fluent with instructional technology and proficient in Microsoft Office programs

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of 5 years of bilingual teaching experience in Pre-K classroom.
• NYS Certification in Early Childhood. This requires at least a bachelor’s degree. Licensed teachers from other states may qualify for reciprocity. 
• Please note that New York State requires a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 for certification, and one hired, this proof will be kept on file in the Office of Human Resources. 
• Excellent organizational, communication and facilitation skills.
• Possess an entrepreneurial spirit; be flexible, willing and able to play different roles in the department, and to go above and beyond to meet the varied and constant needs of the students of the SCSD.
• Training and experience with Culturally Relevant Education (preferred)
• Prior demonstration of exemplary attendance is expected of any candidate for hire.
• Once offered, you will be required to declare that all previous obligations with an employing school district have been met, and you are not seeking this position with the intent of resigning from a previous commitment in which you have not served. 
• City Residents are encouraged to apply!

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work beyond the ten-month school year and student day.

SALARY/SALARY RANGE:

• The current starting salary range for teachers is based on the Unit 1 Contractual Agreement. Salary is based on experience and may range from $53,000-$82,901. 
• Teachers may also be eligible for additional compensation for the time worked during the summer.  Anticipated job pending 2025-2026 budget approval. 
• In addition, this position includes a $8000 stipend.