Instructional Coach

Alpena Public Schools is accepting applications for an Instructional Coach (Secondary).

A completed application will include a current resume, copies of administrative certificates, transcripts, and not more than 3 letters of recommendation. Only applications properly submitted online through the Applicant Tracking system will be considered.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Master of Arts/Science degree in secondary education from an accredited college/university and a valid Michigan teaching certificate is required.

See attached job description for additional information.

What You Will Love About Us:
As a member of the Alpena Public Schools team, imagine waking up where you vacation; no more sitting on the highway on Friday night and Sunday evening. You can be employed in a modern community that is also traffic-free. Purchase a home for a fraction of the cost that you would pay in metropolitan areas. Enjoy dozens of pristine beaches, trails, rivers and forests without fighting the masses for access. Dive shipwrecks, explore one of the most fossil-rich spots on earth, and still be close enough to enjoy a night on the town. Our wonderful, walkable downtown features restaurants, art galleries, shops and pubs, including multiple micro-breweries and a winery. Alpena offers so many opportunities as the recreational, cultural, economic, and historical hub of Northeast Michigan. We serve a population of approximately 3,800 students, across 9 different school buildings, in one of the largest geographic districts in the State of Michigan. Alpena Public Schools covers more than 600 square miles, encompassing all of Alpena County and a portion of Presque Isle County.

BENEFITS:
Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
Paid Time Off (Sick/Personal/Bereavement)
Spring Break, Summer/Winter Vacation
Retirement/Pension Plans
Life Insurance
Long-Term Disability
Student Loan Forgiveness
AT&T School Employee Discount

Alpena Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any classification protected by federal, state, or local law.

Position Title: Instructional Coach, Secondary

Department: District

Reports To: Assistant Superintendent

Prepared By: Stacy Moors Date: December 2025

Reviewed By: Matt Poli Date: December 2025

Location: Alpena High School, Thunder Bay Junior High

Unit/Group: At-Will, 197 days FTE: 1.0

Job Classification: Salaried/Exempt Funding Source: 31a

SUMMARY: The Secondary Instructional Coach works to directly impact student achievement by facilitating Student-Centered Coaching cycles. The coach moves beyond general support to engage in rigorous, data-driven partnerships with teachers. By analyzing student work, co-planning, and co-teaching in the classroom, the coach will help teams close the gap between current student performance and desired learning targets. The focus of this work is strictly on student evidence, ensuring a non-evaluative and high-trust environment for professional growth.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Student-Centered Coaching Cycles

• Engage teachers in structured, 4-6 week student-centered coaching cycles.
• Partner with teachers to co-plan units and lessons, identifying clear learning targets and success criteria (aligned with Teacher Clarity principles).
• Actively co-teach in the classroom (e.g. team teaching, parallel teaching, modeling) rather than simply observing. The focus remains on the students' interactions with the content.
• Use the Results-Based Coaching Tool to document the impact of the coaching cycle on student growth.

Leadership & Professional Growth

• Create an environment of trust and respect that promotes teacher engagement in the district's student-centered coaching model.
• Collaborate with building and district leadership to ensure coaching cycles align with school improvement plans and the district strategic plan.
• Facilitate professional development at the district and building level that supports initiatives such as Teacher Clarity (standard assessment, grading, language, mapping and pacing.
• Attend instructional coach meetings as scheduled for professional growth and collaboration.
• Keep current with national and district standards regarding content knowledge, information and technology.
• Support teachers in the implementation of curriculum.

Data Analysis & Curriculum Alignment

• Use data and student work to analyze progress and collaborate with teachers to make informed decisions about instruction that is differentiated and needs-based.
• Support the analysis and interpretation of assessment data to help increase student achievement.
• Facilitate the unpacking of the district's curriculum to ensure daily instruction is grounded in Michigan
• Strengthen assessment practices with a focus on formative and standard summative assessments
• Support building Team Time
• Collaborate with Secondary CALs to ensure curriculum alignment to Teacher Clarity.

Professionalism

• Demonstrates professionalism by adhering to the highest standards of integrity and confidentiality.
• Maintains regular and reliable attendance.
• Follows all Board policies and District procedures.
• Reviews email communication regularly and responds as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master of Arts degree and a valid Michigan secondary teaching certificate is required.
• Demonstrated successful teaching experience in your content area.
• Demonstrated success in building content within an LMS.
• Possesses expertise in effective teaching strategies and best practices.
• Skilled in the use of technology to support instruction.
• Ability to plan and evaluate strategies for improving instruction.
• Skilled in researching and interpreting bodies of work for proven instructional methods and implementation of same.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Assures compliance with guidelines and acceptable practices within 31a At-Risk funding.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:

Has knowledge of government funding. Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory in a specific field. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, students, and the community. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both in oral and written form. Ability to perform duties with awareness of all District requirements and Board of Education policies.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to interact with the public and staff, meet deadlines with severe time constraints, frequently work irregular or extended work hours. The employee is responsible for the safety, well-being, and work output of staff. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job the employee will drive occasionally.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.

The employee shall remain free of any alcohol or non-prescription controlled substance use and/or abuse in the workplace throughout his/her employment in the District.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.