Senior Science of Reading Coach

Job Summary

Reporting to the Head of Academics, the Senior Science of Reading Coach drives regional instructional excellence across grades K through 4 by operationalizing the regional vision for early literacy. This leader directly supervises, mentors, and develops a team of region-based Science of Reading Coaches. The role is responsible for supporting the transformation of literacy practices to strengthen academic infrastructure at both the systems level and the individual school level.

Job Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning & Execution (40%)

• Support the execution of a cohesive, research-driven literacy strategy aligned to regional priorities and scientifically based reading research.
• Direct the team deployment, schedules, and priorities for the Science of Reading Coaches to maximize regional impact across primary campuses.
• Ensure vertical and horizontal coherence across the primary grades, paying explicit attention to early literacy progressions and student transitions.
• Conduct regular classroom walkthroughs, learning walks, and school visits alongside coaches to evaluate curriculum fidelity, foundational literacy routines, and student access to high-quality instruction.
• Analyze multi-source student performance data to identify trends and regional root causes of underperformance.
• Partner directly with Principals, Assistant Principals, and the coach team to set measurable action steps in school improvement contexts, specifically targeting below grade level achievement or inconsistent Tier 1 instruction.
• Ensure day-to-day instructional systems position schools to improve CCRPI outcomes by establishing clear alignment between Tier 1 instruction and MTSS intervention systems.

• Instructional Leadership, Coaching & Enablement (35%)

• Provide direct supervision, job-embedded coaching, and professional development to the team of Science of Reading Coaches.
• Support coaches in providing high-impact coaching cycles to Assistant Principals, instructional leaders, and classroom teachers.
• Lead development for coaches on lesson internalization, modeling, rehearsal, structured observations, and student work analysis.
• Act as an expert model teacher of early literacy, demonstrating explicit and systematic instructional moves in phonics, foundational skills, and vocabulary development for both coaches and teachers.
• Coach the literacy team on key components of structured literacy, including explicit foundational skills for grades K through 3, close reading, text-dependent questions, and academic discourse routines.
• Build the capacity of school-based leaders and coaches to conduct calibrated literacy walkthroughs with clear, consistent look-fours and actionable feedback loops.
• Anchor all coaching leadership in equity-driven practices that guarantee access to grade-level texts for all learners, including multilingual scholars and students with disabilities.
• In schools requiring intensive support, guide the coach team to lead rapid learning cycles consisting of professional development, implementation, coaching follow-up, data checks, and subsequent adjustments.

• Professional Development & Capacity Building (15%)

• Design, facilitate, and oversee high-impact professional learning workshops, book studies, and training modules focused on the Science of Reading.
• Collaborate with regional and school-level leadership to formulate clear, research-based professional development goals for literacy across all assigned sites.
• Develop concrete tools, walkthrough protocols, and co-planning templates that enable Science of Reading Coaches to effectively develop school staff.
• Facilitate regional communities of practice to deepen coach and leader content knowledge regarding structured literacy and early childhood pedagogy.
• Support the coaching team and school leadership teams in developing and monitoring content-aligned action plans tied directly to literacy improvement priorities and CCRPI levers.

• Curriculum, Assessment & Academic Programming (10%)

• Ensure strict alignment of formative, diagnostic, and summative foundational literacy assessments to Georgia standards and expectations.
• Lead the coach team in delivering targeted training sessions on interpreting student data to inform core instruction, with a strong focus on progress monitoring and needs assessments.
• Support the maintenance of K through 4 reading benchmarks, writing progressions, and early literacy learning trajectories.
• Partner with MTSS and Special Education teams to design and implement targeted literacy interventions that protect core grade-level access.
• Continue to study new research as it becomes available to ensure the coach team and regional programming remain fully informed by the most current scientific discoveries in literacy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education or related field
• Valid Georgia Teaching or Service Certificate (Level 4 or higher)
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience, including at least 3 years of successful classroom teaching with demonstrated impact
• Proven experience in instructional coaching, managing or supervising educational teams, and school-based leadership
• Demonstrated skill with data-driven instruction, progress monitoring, and translating data into adult action
• Working knowledge of Georgia Standards of Excellence, and ability to support standards-aligned planning and rigorous task design
• Working knowledge of the Georgia Standards of Excellence, the Georgia Early Literacy Act, and the CCRPI accountability domains
• Strong facilitation, coaching, and adult learning skills; ability to build trust and influence across stakeholders
• Ability to manage complexity, ambiguity, and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Preferred Master’s degree in a relevant field
• Advanced literacy credentials (Reading Endorsement, Dyslexia Endorsement, or equivalent structured literacy training aligned to IDA guidance)
• Experience leading cross-campus initiatives within charter or school improvement environments
• Expertise in MTSS frameworks and intervention models
• Valid Georgia educator leadership certification

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation is competitive and aligned with KIPP Atlanta Schools’ leadership salary bands. The salary range for this role is $75,000-$112,000 and is based on experience, qualifications, and internal equity. Most new hires are placed in the lower to mid-range of the salary range. Placement near the top of the range is uncommon at hire and reserved for individuals who exceed role qualifications through depth of expertise, leadership maturity, and proven results leading complex initiatives with sustained, organization-level impact.

A comprehensive benefits package is offered, including:

• 20 days of Paid Time Off, in addition to identified holidays
• Comprehensive health insurance (medical and dental), life insurance and optional short and long term disability
• Counseling and Telehealth Options
• Paid Parental Leave
• Participation in Georgia retirement plan and an optional 403(b) retirement plan.

Location & Work Conditions

This Position Requires:

• Schedule flexibility; work hours vary based on campus needs and may include evenings and occasional weekends
• Hybrid flexibility but does require regular presence on campus and in schools and in required meetings around the region
• Must be based in Atlanta
• Routine physical activity associated with normal office environments
• Ability to engage in school-based activities requiring standing, walking, and mobility

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

KIPP Atlanta Schools is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.