What is an Instructional Coach?

 

I'm a TOSA... a teacher on special assignment.... After being a classroom teacher for over 24 years, I was ready to work with teachers and larger groups of students. The district gave me the blessed opportunity to help develop the only magnet school in our district, Laurel Elementary Magnet School of Innovation and Career Exploration. It led to Makerspace, Coding, New Teacher Support and more.

 

Here's my actual job description! It's fun reading!!!

 

Under the direction of the Administrator of Educational Services, the Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA): 21st Century Instructional Coach will assist in the implementation of the 21st Century Teaching Skills, curriculum development and the integration of technology into the classroom by serving as an instructional coach. The role of the TOSA is a support position designed to increase the capacity of teachers to use technology and to develop curriculum that effectively integrates the use of technology in the teaching and learning process, supports students’ college and career readiness utilizing 21st Century learning skills, and perform other related duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ​include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

● Provide direct support to school sites and classroom teachers through collaboration, training, modeling, and Professional Learning Community (PLC) participation.

● Design, implement, and support learning opportunities for teachers intended to build capacity and expertise in the use of instructional technology in the classroom.

● Design, implement, and support learning opportunities for English Learners and at­risk students through technology integrations.

● Design, organize, schedule, and present professional development, curriculum and instruction projects and technology assistance for TK­12th grade teachers in the use of instructional technology and strategies to primarily support English Learners and at ­risk students.

● Collaborate with district staff, site administrators and classroom teachers in implementing a TK­12 vision for Educational Technology in BOUSD.

● Assist teachers through classroom observations, peer feedback, student data analysis of effective instructional technology teaching strategies, lesson design and co­planning lessons in instructional technology.

● Assist teachers in building interactive classroom environments focused on the content and learning strategies embedded in the core academic program.

● Attend professional development workshops and district meetings to align practice with the District vision for 21st Century learning.

● Analyze and use assessment data to identify program needs and to evaluate, improve, and report on program effectiveness.