School Coach/Education SpecialistOrganization Description
Diploma Plus, a fiscally sponsored program of Third Sector New England (TSNE), is a nationally recognized education model that provides a rigorous, relevant and student-centered alternative for youth who have been undeserved by the traditional education system. Diploma Plus is an alternative in the best sense of the word; its role is to transform our students’ learning experiences so they will achieve success in high school, college and careers. Diploma Plus schools are primarily located in urban areas and serve students who are over-aged and under-credited, reentering high school or placed at risk of dropping out. Please Click The Apply To Link for additional information.
Job Summary
The goals and work of Diploma Plus (DP) school coaches are explicitly aligned to the mission and set of core values of DP as they work in close partnership with the school faculty and administration to develop the systems to support the Diploma Plus essentials. DP school coaches in each network deliver a defined portfolio of support onsite to the school in core areas to support the implementation of the DP essentials:
• Supportive School Culture: This includes coaching schools on implementing an advisory system and cultural responsiveness practices.
• Performance-Based Approach: This includes development of instructional leadership and strong, performance-based instruction, curriculum, assessment, grading and promotion practices in support of high student achievement.
• Future Focus: This includes working with the schools and the network manager to support planning and implementation of a future focus curriculum that spans all phases.
• Effective Supports: This includes working with schools and the network manager on issues specifically related to data and evaluation, school partnerships and other elements necessary to support a DP school and fully implement the Diploma Plus model.
The position will be based in Denver, Colorado, at the three Diploma Plus schools located there.
Essential Duties
* Provide technical support to the schools in establishing collaborative leadership and decision making through the Student Achievement Success Teams. These teams are designed to support the full implementation of the DP model in each DP school.
* Present professional development and coaching support to schools in providing effective instructional strategies that are student-centered and culturally relevant.
* Work with schools to implement the three phases of development in which to provide targeted student learning: (a) Foundation Level, for students entering with <8th grade reading level; (b) Presentation Level; and (c) Plus Phase, pre-graduation/real world experiences/college exposure/work readiness.
* Provide training and coaching in using the DP competency-based education model.
* Offer cross-site sharing and direct onsite classroom coaching and modeling in implementation of DP learning strategies, including planning backwards (UbD), the workshop model, promotion of higher-order thinking, student-centered instruction and other research-based strategies.
* Assist schools in developing a structured process for portfolio development of both classroom developmental portfolios and the gateway portfolios required for moving to the next phase of the model (Foundation, Presentation, Plus) with the network manager; support the development of the Plus Phase that provides opportunities for in-depth career and college exploration and experiences in the final part of the DP program.
* Help the schools in collecting the most authentic data to monitor, evaluate and improve their schools; with the data manager, institute performance-based tracking and reporting systems to assist teachers, administrators, students and families keep track of student performance on a consistent basis.
* Additional duties to be determined by national network director
Requirements:
Qualifications
* Strong experience in secondary education and in school/teacher coaching at the high school level
* Experience in consultation, training, facilitation skills and/or adult learning approaches
* At least three years of progressively responsible experience in alternative education and/or youth development programming
* Knowledge of education reform literature, demonstration efforts, and approaches, especially with respect to standards-based curriculum and instruction, professional development, portfolio assessment and learning strategies for high-risk youth
* M.A. degree in education or related field required
* Ability to structure, plan and manage own work and project work in a national organization
* Ability to work with diverse staff at program delivery level
* Demonstrated skill in writing educational materials, proposals and reports
* Fluency in standard computer applications, including word processing, email, spreadsheets, presentation software and Internet browsers required
* Demonstrated skill and experience using information technology tools to support curriculum development, instruction and assessment
* Strong writing and interpersonal skills required
* Commitment to educational excellence and social justice, including the ability to approach work with a culturally responsive lens
* Knowledge of vulnerable youth populations is highly desirable
* Reside in Denver, Colorado metropolitan area; some travel required
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