Coaching For Excellence - Instructional Coach - TOSA - RB #25-498

Buffalo Public Schools•Buffalo, NY

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Instructional Coach is a critical lever in improving student achievement. The role of the coach is to strengthen teacher practice through structured, job-embedded learning experiences grounded in modeling, co-teaching, collaborative inquiry, and sustained coaching cycles. The coach operates as part of the school’s Teacher Learning System and supports implementation of the district’s shared vision for high-quality instruction through practice-based learning. This role is an investment in long-term instructional capacity and is best suited for educators with demonstrated instructional expertise and a minimum of five years remaining in their professional career.

Requirements

Hold a Master’s degree
New York State certification in at least one of the following subject areas: Math, Science, English Language Arts, Social Studies, Reading or Literacy, or Elementary Education.
Minimum of five years of successful classroom teaching experience with evidence of improving student achievement, particularly for students with the greatest needs.
Demonstrated expertise in high-quality instructional practice and strong content knowledge.
Demonstrated leadership and the ability to cultivate a professional community of adult learners.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to engage in reflective professional dialogue.
Expertise in facilitating adult learning and collaborative inquiry.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Demonstrated commitment to equity and ensuring all students have access to grade-level learning.
Evidence of continuous professional growth and leadership within the profession.

Nice To Haves

A minimum of five years remaining in their professional career.

Responsibilities

Model high-quality, standards-aligned instruction aligned to the district’s vision on a consistent basis.
Co-plan and co-teach lessons with classroom teachers to strengthen instructional design and enactment.
Implement structured coaching cycles that include goal-setting, planning, rehearsal, classroom enactment, reflection, and next steps.
Facilitate and strengthen collaborative teacher learning structures focused on: Deepening content knowledge, Analyzing student work, Reviewing classroom videos, Conducting lesson studies, Examining the rigor and cognitive demand of instructional tasks.
Strengthen teachers’ ability to design and enact rigorous, equitable instruction through shared practice and rehearsal.
Support teachers in planning cognitively demanding lessons and maintaining rigor during instruction.
Help teams translate curriculum and standards into strong daily instructional practice aligned to the district’s vision.
Actively seek out research and resources to strengthen their understanding of best practices; work with others and continually reflect on practices and feedback received to help grow their skills.
Utilize adult learning theory and evidence-based coaching strategies to support professional growth.
Maintain documentation of coaching cycles, goals, and progress in accordance with program expectations.
Partner with school leadership to identify instructional bottlenecks.
Collaborate with school leadership on how to balance time effectively, referencing coaching logs and documentation.
Contribute to strengthening collaborative team and coaching structures within the school to ensure coherence across grade levels and departments.
Develop and maintain a clear coaching schedule aligned to school and district priorities.
Participate in district-level professional learning and calibration to ensure consistency of practice across schools.
The coach’s work must remain focused on strengthening classroom instruction through structured, sustained, and practice-based support.
The coach must be part of the school’s SCEP development team.
The coach will meet with the principal and an NYSED representative prior to the launch of the program.
Participate in a Coaching for Excellence Kickoff event in Albany on September 15th and 16th, 2026.
Participate in large group convening with NYSED throughout the school year.
Participate in Coach the Coach Individual Sessions with NYSED.