Instructional Coach (Ages 9-14)

Company Description

We are an independent Montessori school in Chicago serving over 500 students and their families, starting at a parent-infant class and up to 8th grade. We are a community of shared values working to fulfill a meaningful mission. NNM faculty, staff and parents strive for an equitable and inclusive school culture through intentional, reflective practices. We work together to challenge all students to think for themselves, pursue their ideas and become real learners for the real world.

Learn more about us on our website: www.nnms.org

Position Overview:
The Instructional Coach, possessing both content and instructional expertise, collaborates with classroom teachers to support student learning and enhance teacher practices. The Instructional Coach focuses on individual and group professional learning that will expand and refine teachers' understanding of research-based, effective instruction. To achieve this purpose, the Instructional Coach provides personalized, one-on-one support tailored to the goals and identified needs of individual teachers.

The Instructional Coach strives to build and nurture trusting professional relationships with faculty members. The Instructional Coach reports to the Academic Director of 0-9 or 9-14, and is part of the leadership council.

Job Description

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Hiring & Orientation 

• Participate in the interview process of prospective guides and teaching assistants
• Participate in the orientation process for new hires
• Support new faculty through observations and offer timely feedback 

Planning, Leadership, & Management 

• Observe 9-14 faculty and classrooms on a weekly basis while using observation forms for consistency and data collection
• Conduct weekly one-on-one meetings with 9-14 faculty to provide feedback based on classroom observations
• Observe Spanish teachers 1-2 times per month and conduct one-on-one meetings to provide feedback based on classroom observations
• Organize regular monthly communications to faculty, offering tips, strategies, and professional development opportunities
• Collaborate with faculty to proactively set and maintain classroom norms and culture
• Help faculty problem-solve and identify strategies for individual student academic, behavioral or social  issues
• Help teachers communicate with families about academic or behavioral issues
• Work with faculty on individual classroom communication to parents, including crafting and editing communication
• Organize substitute coverage for any classroom absences
• Provide temporary adult classroom coverage when necessary 
• Co-teach lessons and/or co-facilitate class meetings as a support to new teachers
• Support classroom assistants in their work; offer them classroom management strategies
• Lead faculty in preparation for Parent Education events
• Assist in the reading and review of progress reports
• Participate in Parent Education events as a presenter and/or facilitator
• Facilitate and run level-wide Lesson Study and Child Study
• Plan and coordinate level-wide assessments; assist faculty in proctoring assessments 
• Review and interpret assessment results with faculty and use the data to inform instruction
• Ensure faculty are implementing accommodations and recommendations, based on evaluations, IEPs, 504s
• Attend and chaperone the annual student overnight trip
• Participate in carline daily

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required
• 6+ years of teaching experience in a Montessori classroom
• Montessori certification in at least one level required
• Demonstrate a deep commitment to the Montessori philosophy and lifelong learning, engaging in ongoing Montessori, and other professional development
• Possess supervisory or related leadership experience in an academic setting
• Bring strong communication skills and an ability to engage in honest talk and difficult conversations with professionalism and respect for all
• Demonstrate an ability to commit to equitable education practices, anti-bias, anti-racist work and learning
• Work collaboratively, respectful of differing opinions, with flexibility and a willingness to learn, approaching obstacles or conflicts with curiosity and humility
• Demonstrate the ability to execute assigned tasks, work and projects
• Demonstrate the capacity for independent work, flexibility, and the ability to handle multiple demands
• Demonstrate an ability to thoughtfully manage student, family, classroom and cultural dynamics and boundaries within the school community

Additional Information

Pay Information: The salary range for this position is $100,000 - $110,000 based on skills and experience.

Near North Montessori offers a variety of benefits which include:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision options

• Short Term & Long Term Disability

• EAP Program & Pet Insurance

• Flexible Paid Time off

• Professional Development Opportunities

Near North Montessori believes that each individual is entitled to equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, ancestry, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local anti-discrimination laws. The School’s equal employment opportunity practices extend to recruitment, hiring, selection, compensation, benefits, transfer, conditions, and privileges of employment.