Instructional Coach - 5th-8th

Reports To: Director of Academics

Internal Applicants - please email resume and letter of interest to Vdinkins@unitedschoolsindy.org

Position Summary

United Schools of Indianapolis (USI) is seeking an exceptional Instructional Coach to support teachers and school leaders at Avondale Meadows Middle School in improving instructional practice and accelerating student achievement.

The Instructional Coach serves as a non-evaluative instructional leader responsible for building teacher capacity through coaching, modeling, feedback, professional learning, and data-driven instructional support. This role is critical to advancing USIs strategic priorities related to instructional coherence, educator effectiveness, and student outcomes.

The Instructional Coach will implement USIs unified coaching model, framework, and philosophy across the network, ensuring consistency in coaching practices, expectations, and support structures. Coaching efforts will be explicitly anchored in strengthening Tier 1 instruction and increasing the effectiveness of classroom teaching across all content areas.

The ideal candidate is a highly successful educator with a demonstrated record of improving student achievement, deep instructional expertise, and the ability to build trusting relationships with adult learners while driving measurable improvements in instructional practice.

About the USI Coaching Model

United Schools of Indianapolis is committed to a unified coaching framework that establishes a common vision, language, and approach to instructional coaching across all schools.

Instructional Coaches are expected to:

• Implement a common coaching model, framework, and philosophy across the network.
• Utilize codified coaching tools, protocols, and resources developed by USI.
• Maintain alignment between coaching practices and network instructional priorities.
• Anchor all coaching work in strengthening high-quality Tier 1 instruction.
• Support instructional coherence across classrooms, grade levels, and schools.
• Align existing coaching structures and practices within the USI coaching framework.
• Promote continuous improvement, professional growth, and instructional excellence.
• Contribute to the development of a shared definition of coaching success across the organization.

Essential Responsibilities

Instructional Coaching

• Facilitate individualized coaching cycles that include observation, feedback, goal setting, action planning, modeling, co-teaching, and reflection.
• Support teachers in implementing rigorous, standards-aligned Tier 1 instruction.
• Conduct classroom observations and provide actionable feedback aligned to the USI Instructional Framework.
• Model exemplary instructional practices and facilitate demonstration lessons.
• Partner with teachers to improve lesson design, instructional delivery, student engagement, differentiation, and assessment practices.
• Support new, developing, and veteran teachers through differentiated coaching and professional support.
• Utilize coaching data and teacher growth measures to monitor progress and impact.

Data and Student Achievement

• Analyze student achievement and growth data to identify instructional priorities and opportunities for improvement.
• Support teachers in using formative and summative assessment data to drive instructional decisions.
• Facilitate data discussions focused on student outcomes and instructional improvement.
• Assist teachers in developing action plans to address student learning gaps.
• Monitor progress toward school and network academic goals.

Professional Learning

• Design and facilitate high-quality professional development aligned to school and network priorities.
• Lead professional learning communities (PLCs), collaborative planning meetings, and instructional data meetings.
• Support implementation of curriculum, assessment systems, and instructional initiatives.
• Build teacher capacity through job-embedded professional learning experiences.
• Foster reflective practice and continuous professional growth among staff.

Instructional Leadership and Coherence

• Collaborate closely with the Director of Academics, Principal, Assistant Principal, and Chief of Schools to ensure alignment between coaching efforts, curriculum implementation, instructional priorities, and student achievement goals.
• Support implementation of USIs Academic Framework and instructional expectations.
• Participate in instructional leadership meetings and network-wide coaching initiatives.
• Contribute to the continuous refinement of coaching tools, systems, and professional learning resources.
• Ensure coaching efforts are aligned with network goals, school improvement plans, and instructional priorities.

School Culture and Team Collaboration

• Build trusting, collaborative relationships with teachers, leaders, and staff.
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism in all coaching interactions.
• Model a growth mindset and commitment to continuous learning.
• Support a positive school culture centered on achievement, accountability, and excellence.
• Serve as a champion for instructional excellence and educator development.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree from an accredited institution.
• Fully licensed and certified to teach in the State of Indiana.
• Valid Indiana teaching license.
• Minimum of three years of highly successful classroom teaching experience.
• Demonstrated record of improving student achievement and instructional outcomes supported by student performance and growth data.
• Evidence of consistently effective instructional practice and strong classroom management.
• Deep understanding of curriculum, instruction, assessment, differentiation, and effective teaching practices.
• Demonstrated expertise in high-quality Tier 1 instruction.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to build credibility and trust with teachers through demonstrated instructional expertise.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to use data to drive instructional improvement.
• Commitment to educational equity and high expectations for all scholars.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership, or a related field.
• Previous experience serving as an Instructional Coach, Mentor Teacher, Department Chair, Teacher Leader, Assistant Principal, or other instructional leadership role.
• Experience coaching middle school educators.
• Demonstrated success facilitating professional development and adult learning.
• Experience leading PLCs, instructional planning meetings, and data-driven improvement initiatives.
• Experience implementing curriculum and instructional improvement efforts at scale.
• Experience working in urban schools and/or charter school environments.
• Knowledge of evidence-based literacy and mathematics instructional practices.

Core Competencies

Instructional Expertise

• Deep knowledge of effective teaching and learning practices.
• Ability to identify instructional strengths and areas for growth.
• Expertise in lesson design, student engagement, differentiation, assessment, and classroom culture.

Coaching Excellence

• Ability to influence and support adult learners.
• Skilled in facilitating reflective coaching conversations.
• Ability to provide actionable feedback that leads to measurable instructional improvement.
• Commitment to developing teacher capacity and leadership.

Data-Driven Decision Making

• Strong ability to analyze and interpret student achievement data.
• Ability to identify root causes and develop solutions to instructional challenges.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and results-oriented problem solving.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Ability to work effectively with school leaders, teachers, and network staff.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Commitment to collaboration, accountability, and excellence.

Success Indicators

A successful Instructional Coach at USI will:

• Increase the quality and consistency of Tier 1 instruction across classrooms.
• Strengthen teacher effectiveness through coaching cycles and professional learning.
• Improve implementation of the USI Academic Framework and instructional expectations.
• Demonstrate measurable impact on teacher growth and instructional quality.
• Contribute to improved student achievement and academic outcomes.
• Build a culture of continuous growth, collaboration, and instructional excellence.
• Demonstrate fidelity to USIs unified coaching framework, philosophy, and expectations.

About United Schools of Indianapolis

United Schools of Indianapolis is a network of public charter schools committed to ensuring every scholar receives an exceptional educational experience. Through instructional coherence, strong leadership, effective teaching, and continuous improvement, USI prepares students for success in high school, college, career, and life.

United Schools of Indianapolis is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply.