Elementary Core Instructional Coach at Oak Park Elementary School District 97 in Oak Park, IL

Job description

Instructional Coach Revised May 2025 Perm/contract: SY26-27 Department: Core Instruction FLSA Status : Non-exempt Reports to: Core Instruction Administration Primary Reporting Location: Longfellow Elementary Level: K-5 Compensation: In accordance with Oak Park Teachers Association Collective Date Available: SY26-27 Bargaining Unit & Classification: OPTA & Certified Supervisory Responsibilities: None Benefits: Insurance - medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance are available Leaves - paid sick, and personal days provided Retirement - pre-tax retirement plans (e.g. 403b) available D97 Ideal Team Member Profile The ideal team member in District 97 is a visionary and equity-centered leader who inspires excellence and fosters collective responsibility for student success. This individual: Champions the district's vision and drives forward-thinking, innovative practices that anticipate future educational needs. Stewards public trust and resources with fiscal responsibility and ethical transparency. Demonstrates relentless commitment to student success, ensuring that every decision supports equitable opportunities and outcomes for all learners. Organizes and empowers teams to work collaboratively toward shared goals, recognizing the interdependence of roles across departments and schools. Fosters a culture of care, learning, and service, grounded in authentic engagement with students, families, staff, and community members. Models integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality, serving as a role model for ethical and respectful conduct at all levels. Thrives in a culturally, racially, and linguistically diverse environment, showing a deep passion for inclusive practices and building belonging for all team members. Seeks and embraces feedback, especially when it challenges them to grow and improve in service of students and colleagues. Understands the powerful intersection of leadership, learning, and equity, and aligns their work to dismantle systemic barriers. Courageously addresses unprofessional behavior, holding self and others accountable to high standards in service to the community and students. About the Role The Instructional Coach position supports student learning by supporting the elimination of student opportunity gaps and accelerating learning for all students by building teacher capacity through the implementation of effective instructional practices and differentiation strategies at the classroom level. As a key member of the district's core instruction team, the instructional coach will work as a colleague with classroom teachers to support student learning. The instructional coach will focus on individual and group/team professional learning that will expand and refine the understanding about research-based effective instruction, with an emphasis on differentiation and personalized instruction. To meet this purpose, the instructional coach will provide personalized support that is based on the identified needs/goals of teachers and teams. While the coach's primary responsibility is to support the instructional needs of the school to which s/he is assigned, the coaches as a team also have district level responsibilities, including regular collaboration meetings, professional learning and assigned research into specific best practices for instructional processes, as related to topics of interest to the district. The instruction coach position will ensure that equity is at the center of the district's instructional coach services to positively impact student learning and employee practices as expressed in Board Policy 7:12: Ensuring Racial and Educational Equity. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Develop positive and supportive relationships with classroom teachers, administrators, and staff Design and facilitate professional learning related to effective instructional practices, which include data analysis, differentiation, and technology integration Work collaboratively with teachers and staff t