[2025-2026] Director of Coaching and Instruction

About Us

At Destine Prep, we are committed to fostering an inclusive, data-driven, and academically rigorous learning environment for scholars in Schenectady, New York. Our extended learning day, comprehensive curriculum, and commitment to social-emotional development empower students to excel academically and as leaders in their communities.

Role Overview

The Director of Coaching and Instruction is a senior instructional leadership role, responsible for designing and implementing a comprehensive coaching strategy that develops instructional leaders and teachers while ensuring alignment with academic performance and testing goals.

This role will:

• Coach and develop instructional leaders to drive scholar achievement.
• Oversee instructional coaching systems and frameworks.
• Lead school-wide professional development and capacity-building initiatives.
• Utilize assessment and testing data to inform coaching, instructional practices, and leadership growth.
• Ensure academic rigor and instructional alignment with charter school and state standards.

This position is part of the Senior Leadership Team, collaborating closely with the Head of Schools and other senior leaders to advance Destine Prep’s academic mission.

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Coaching

• Lead and oversee a structured coaching program for instructional coaches, deans, and teacher leaders.
• Develop coaching plans and accountability structures to ensure instructional growth and leadership development.
• Provide real-time coaching, feedback, and modeling to instructional leaders to drive improved scholar outcomes.
• Align coaching and instructional strategy with state standards, charter school expectations, and performance metrics.
• Serve as the primary instructional coaching expert, ensuring a data-driven coaching culture that elevates teacher and leader effectiveness.

Data-Driven Instruction & Assessment Leadership

• Monitor and analyze academic performance data, ensuring instructional adjustments drive scholar achievement.
• Support school leaders in using testing and assessment data to guide instructional improvements.
• Implement progress monitoring tools to assess teacher and leader growth based on coaching impact.
• Collaborate with leadership to align testing strategies, interventions, and instructional improvements to meet school-wide goals.

Professional Development & Talent Development

• Design and lead high-impact professional development sessions for instructional leaders and teachers.
• Oversee leadership development programming for instructional coaches and emerging school leaders.
• Build the capacity of instructional leaders to effectively coach, evaluate, and support teachers.
• Facilitate Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) focused on instructional best practices and student performance growth.

Collaboration & School-Wide Leadership

• Work alongside the Head of Schools, Director of Instruction, and other senior leaders to ensure a consistent instructional vision.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration to strengthen teacher development, classroom management, and student success strategies.
• Serve as a thought partner in charter renewal processes, instructional audits, and school improvement planning.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and instructional excellence at all levels.

Core Competencies

• Growth-Oriented Leadership: Deep belief in continuous learning and improvement. Values growth mindset for self, teachers, and leaders, fostering an environment where coaching and feedback lead to sustained instructional excellence.
• Persistence & Accountability for Academic Goals: Relentless commitment to ensuring school-wide academic success by maintaining high expectations, leveraging coaching, and holding instructional teams accountable for rigorous performance and testing goals.
• Mastery-Minded Approach: Focuses on long-term instructional mastery, ensuring instructional leaders and teachers not only meet expectations but build expertise that enhances student outcomes over time.
• Warm & Demanding Coaching: Models empathetic yet high-expectation leadership, striking a balance between support and accountability to build trust, motivation, and professional growth among instructional leaders.
• Instructional Expertise & Modeling: Ability to effectively model instructional strategies, demonstrating best practices in pedagogy, classroom management, and student engagement for teachers and instructional coaches.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Expertise in using student performance data to inform coaching, instructional planning, and professional development, ensuring alignment with charter school and state accountability measures.
• Talent Development & Capacity Building: Strong ability to cultivate leadership potential, developing instructional coaches and teacher leaders through structured coaching cycles and professional learning communities.
• Strategic Execution & Prioritization: Proven ability to balance multiple instructional initiatives, ensuring coaching, professional development, and performance monitoring align with school-wide goals and deadlines.
• Equity & Inclusion Commitment: Advocates for culturally responsive teaching practices, ensuring all scholars—especially those from historically marginalized backgrounds—have access to high-quality instruction and academic success.

Education and Experience

• Master’s degree in Education, Educational Leadership, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum 7+ years of experience in education, including instructional leadership and coaching experience.
• Proven success in leading coaching initiatives that improve student achievement and teacher effectiveness.
• Strong understanding of charter school instructional standards, state assessments, and accountability frameworks.
• Experience in managing professional development programs and implementing school-wide instructional improvements.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

• Prolonged periods of sitting, standing, and walking within the school environment.
• Ability to observe classroom activities and provide in-person coaching and feedback.
• Capability to lift up to 15 pounds occasionally.
• Comfortable using standard office equipment, including computers, printers, and projectors.
• Must be able to travel within the school and, on occasion, to external training or professional development events.

Salary range

$92,000 - $102,000 per year