Instructional Support Coach

About the Organization

The YMCA of Metro Atlanta is a thought-leader and best-in-class provider in education, wellness, youth development, and community-building. As one of the oldest and most essential non-profits serving Atlanta, we carry out our mission to positively impact lives and communities across the state. We are an association of like-minded people—staff, volunteers, and members—working to ensure everyone, especially children, has an equal opportunity to reach their full potential.

Each year, we provide:

• High-quality literacy and STEAM-infused learning for over 3,000 children, ages 6 weeks through Pre-K;
• Access to sports, aquatics, day and resident camps, teen leadership development programs, and employment opportunities for 58,000 youth and teens;
• Programs, services, and facilities for over 200,000 members to maintain wellness and connection;
• Engagement for over 25,000 volunteers and donors supporting their communities.

About the Role

Under the direction of the Senior Director of Early Learning Education, the Instructional Support Coach is a specially prepared professional responsible for the literacy and language performance of young children, including those who face challenges in schools or centers. The role provides high-level literacy and language development support for staff and children.

Responsibilities

• Provide resources and training to school or center staff on scientifically based early language and literacy research and evidence-based practices.
• Coach (e.g., model/demonstrate, co-teach, observe, and provide feedback) classroom lead and assistant teachers on implementing core, supplemental, and intensive intervention approaches for birth to five early language and literacy development. Use data from valid and reliable assessments as the basis for instructional decision-making.
• Support the implementation of the core curricular program and approaches selected by program directors, collaborating with publishers as needed.
• Establish and oversee a peer mentoring support network for teachers, including opportunities to observe and learn from one another’s classrooms.
• Re-deliver literacy content or advanced seminar content to birth to five teachers and assistant teachers; lead study groups to discuss research, enhance commercial programs, share implementation experiences, and examine student work.
• Act as a catalyst for building a school/center learning community focused on integrated learning and connections across classrooms and facilities.
• Lead and coordinate the school/center assessment team, including administering literacy assessments for screening, progress monitoring, diagnostic, and outcomes.
• Coach teachers on the administration and interpretation of assessment data to determine progress, identify needs for intervention, and group students for small-group instruction.
• Become familiar with the administration and interpretation of in-depth diagnostic measures or additional assessments commonly used in early education.
• Review core, supplemental, and intensive intervention materials under consideration for purchase to ensure alignment with the literacy initiative.
• Help organize and lead school/center and regional professional development opportunities to disseminate literacy content.
• Meet regularly with the Senior Director of Early Learning Education, Lead Literacy Coach, and peers to assess progress and modify the literacy initiative as needed.
• Analyze school/center-wide literacy strengths and weaknesses and formulate plans to improve student achievement in language and literacy and teaching effectiveness.
• Create an atmosphere of trust and collaboration among staff to promote professional growth and accelerate language and literacy achievement for all students.
• Attend all professional development and networking meetings designed for Literacy Initiative Coaches.
• Support the implementation of all Early Learning Signature Programs to ensure high-quality consistency across the organization.
• Support the Early Learning Education Department in meeting School Readiness Goals.
• Assist in creating administrative systems that support high-quality Early Childhood Education programs.
• Conduct CLASS Assessments Sweeps and review posted lesson plans during RRFTS site visits.
• Collect and enter Head Start education tracking forms.
• Support Education Managers in providing teaching staff with additional classroom support.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in reading, early childhood education, special education, or a related field.
• 1+ years of prior preschool/pre-K teaching experience.
• Knowledge of effective strategies, instructional analysis, and clear strategy implementation guidance.
• Valid GA provisional teacher certification with documented reading coursework.
• Experience and skill as a coach or mentor for adults on literacy-related topics.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Deep understanding of scientifically based research in early language and literacy development and evidence-based practices for teaching early language and literacy, including assessing student progress toward benchmarks as documented through WSS rubrics and guidelines.
• Hands-on experience using data to make informed decisions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in reading, early childhood education, special education, or a related field.
• 3+ years of prior preschool/pre-K teaching experience.
• Valid GA T-certification (clear, renewable).

Employment Requirements

• Ability to pass a pre-employment background check, including criminal record check, drug screening, motor vehicle record (MVR), and reference check according to company policy.
• Must be legally eligible to work in the U.S. without current or future sponsorship.

Benefits

The YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta offers excellent benefits and career opportunities as part of our culture of excellence. We value CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT, and RESPONSIBILITY and seek like-minded individuals to join our team.

Location: YMCA Woodson Park Early Learning Center