Instructional Coach job description.
An instructional coach supports teacher growth and student achievement by modeling effective teaching practices, analyzing classroom data, and providing job-embedded professional development. They partner with teachers to strengthen instruction, help implement curriculum, and align classroom practice with school improvement goals.
The Instructional Coach job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 8 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: Instructional Coach Reports to: Principal or Director of Curriculum and Instruction
An instructional coach supports teacher growth and student achievement by modeling effective teaching practices, analyzing classroom data, and providing job-embedded professional development. They partner with teachers to strengthen instruction, help implement curriculum, and align classroom practice with school improvement goals.
- Observe classroom instruction and provide constructive, data-informed feedback
- Model effective teaching strategies through co-teaching or demonstration lessons
- Support teachers in analyzing student data to inform instructional decisions
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
8 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
4 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
3 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
5 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Principal or Director of Curriculum and Instruction
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Observe classroom instruction and provide constructive, data-informed feedback
- Model effective teaching strategies through co-teaching or demonstration lessons
- Support teachers in analyzing student data to inform instructional decisions
- Facilitate professional development workshops and collaborative planning sessions
- Help implement new curriculum, standards, or instructional initiatives
- Build individualized coaching plans based on teacher needs and goals
- Collaborate with school leadership on school-wide instructional priorities
- Maintain confidentiality and a non-evaluative coaching relationship with teachers
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- Bachelor's degree in education; teaching certification required
- 3+ years of successful classroom teaching experience
- Strong knowledge of instructional best practices and curriculum standards
- Excellent interpersonal and facilitation skills
- Master's degree in education, curriculum and instruction, or related field
- Prior experience in a coaching, mentoring, or instructional leadership role
- Training in specific coaching models or frameworks
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Instructional Coach job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this Instructional Coach job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The senior band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (Principal or Director of Curriculum and Instruction) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- Is an instructional coach the same as an evaluator?
- No. Instructional coaches typically work in a non-evaluative, supportive role separate from formal teacher performance evaluations conducted by administrators.
- What teaching experience is expected for this role?
- Most schools require several years of successful classroom teaching experience, since coaches need credibility and practical expertise to support their peers.
Other documents in this neighbourhood.
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A school principal leads the daily operations, academic programs, and staff of a school.
This Instructional Coach job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.