Instructional Culture Coach (Coach on Special Assignment)

DPSCD Comp; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits Eligible

Job summary

Detroit Public Schools Community District seeks an Instructional Culture Coach to strengthen teacher, coach, and school leader capacity for safe, structured, culturally responsive classrooms across Detroit. This role advances the District’s mission to develop educator knowledge, skills, and culture, so every classroom is a place where students feel safe and ready to learn.

The COSA provides job-embedded coaching aligned to the Vision of Excellent Instruction, focusing on Management, Culture &

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's degree; Master's preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of successful urban teaching experience.
• Proven expertise in classroom management and school culture.
• Experience coaching adults and leading professional learning.
• Expertise in instructional coaching via observation, feedback, modeling, and job-embedded support.
• Culturally responsive and equity-centered practices to create inclusive learning environments.
• Knowledge of adult learning theory and facilitating professional learning and coaching conversations.
• Uses data to analyze trends and drive improvements in teaching and culture.
• Proficient in restorative practices to strengthen relationships and behavior.
• Collaborates across schools to support district-wide culture initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Provide ongoing, job-embedded coaching via classroom observations and actionable feedback.
• Help teachers establish routines, increase engagement, and implement positive behavior systems.
• Monitor growth and coaching outcomes using district tools and data.
• Model high-leverage classroom culture strategies in real classrooms.
• Co-plan and co-teach with teachers to build instructional capacity.
• Facilitate professional learning experiences at school and district levels.
• Support PLCs in analyzing culture challenges and implementing evidence-based practices.
• Partner with school leaders to strengthen classroom walkthroughs and coaching feedback.
• Lead district-wide culture initiatives and consistent classroom culture expectations.

Skills

Classroom management

Adult coaching

Professional learning

Observation & feedback

Culturally responsive teaching

Adult learning theory

Data-driven instruction

Restorative practices

Cross-school collaboration

Culture improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

5+ years urban teaching experience

Job description

Instructional Culture Coach (Coach on Special Assignment)

Position Title: Instructional Culture Coach (Coach on Special Assignment)

Location: Office of Academics

Salary: DFT Salary Schedule +$3,000 stipend

Reports to: Senior Executive Directorof Instruction Quality and Support

Bargaining Unit: DFT

Benefits Eligible: Yes

Travel: Travel within the district may be required.

Annual Schedule: 40 weeks

Telecommuting Eligibility: School based. Not eligible for telecommuting

In accordance with the Agreement between Detroit Federation of Teachers and the Board of Education of the School District of the City of Detroit, the following vacancy is announced:

Position Summary:

The Instructional Culture Coach is responsible for strengthening teacher, coach, and school leader capacity to create safe, structured, culturally responsive, and academically engaging classrooms across Detroit Public Schools Community District. The COSA directly advances the Department of Instructional Quality and Support's mission to develop the knowledge, skills, and culture of every educator and school leader so that every classroom is a place where students feel safe, valued, and ready to learn.

The COSA provides school-based, job-embedded coaching aligned to the District's Vision of Excellent Instruction, with a focused emphasis on the Management, Culture & Climate domain. This role supports teachers in developing classroom environments where expectations are clear, routines are consistent, relationships are strong, students are engaged, and learning time is protected.

Through observation, directive elbow coaching, modeling, rehearsal, real-time feedback, and follow-up practice cycles, the COSA helps teachers implement high-leverage practices that improve classroom culture and strengthen instructional conditions for student success.

The COSA also partners with Assistant Principals, Deans of Culture, instructional coaches, and school leaders to help build and sustain coherent schoolwide systems for Management, Culture & Climate. This includes supporting consistent routines and procedures, proactive behavior supports, student engagement structures, restorative responses, positive classroom relationships, and data-informed continuous improvement. The COSA¿s work is grounded in the belief that classroom culture is not separate from instruction; it enables instruction. By helping teachers and leaders establish classrooms where students feel safe, respected, affirmed, and accountable for learning, the COSA supports schools in ensuring every educator and student is equipped to Thrive.

This position directly advances the Instructional Quality & Support priorities to: Establish a districtwide culture framework, deliver job-embedded coaching cycles, and strengthening School-Based leadership in culture.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required, Master's preferred


• Minimum 5 years of successful teaching experience (urban setting preferred)


• Demonstrated expertise in classroom management/culture


• Experience coaching adults or leading professional learning


• Demonstrates expertise in instructional coaching and the ability to improve teacher practice through observation, feedback, modeling, and job-embedded support.


• Applies culturally responsive and equity-centered practices to create inclusive learning environments and support equitable outcomes for all students.


• Demonstrates knowledge of adult learning theory and effectively facilitates professional learning, coaching conversations, and collaborative team meetings.


• Uses multiple sources of data to analyze trends, monitor progress, and make informed decisions that improve teaching, learning, and classroom culture.


• Demonstrates proficiency in implementing restorative practices, including restorative conferences and community circles, to strengthen relationships and promote positive student behavior.


• Collaborates effectively across schools and departments while applying systems thinking to support continuous improvement and the implementation of districtwide initiatives.


• Demonstrates measurable improvement in classroom culture walkthrough scores across assigned schools.

Essential Functions:

• Provide ongoing, job-embedded coaching through regular classroom observations, actionable feedback, and deliberate practice cycles aligned to the district's Classroom Culture Framework, with an emphasis on classroom management, climate, and culture.


• Support teachers in establishing effective routines and procedures, increasing student engagement and accountability, implementing positive behavior systems, and utilizing proactive redirection strategies.


• Monitor teacher growth and coaching outcomes using district data collection and progress-monitoring tools.


• Model high-leverage classroom culture strategies in authentic classroom settings to demonstrate effective instructional and management practices.


• Collaborate with teachers to co-plan and co-teach lessons that build instructional capacity and promote sustainable improvements in classroom culture.


• Facilitate laboratory classroom experiences that provide opportunities for observation, reflection, and collaborative debriefing.


• Design and facilitate high-quality professional learning experiences at both the school and district levels focused on the foundations of effective classroom culture, restorative practices, and culturally responsive teaching.


• Support Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) in analyzing classroom culture challenges, identifying solutions, and implementing evidence-based practices that improve student outcomes.


• Partner with Assistant Principals, Deans, and other school leaders to strengthen their capacity to conduct effective classroom walkthroughs, provide timely and actionable coaching feedback, and lead schoolwide culture systems that promote positive learning environments.


• Support the implementation of district walkthrough certification processes and ensure consistency in classroom culture expectations across schools.


• Analyze classroom walkthrough data, student behavior trends, and teacher growth indicators to identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement.


• Participate in quarterly data reviews, school improvement planning, and continuous improvement cycles to inform coaching priorities and measure the impact of classroom culture initiatives.

Security Clearance:

Internal Applicants

If you are a current Detroit Public Schools Community District employee, you do not have to submit to a new security clearance, unless your new role requires a different type of criminal background check.

External Applicants

In alignment with Michigan law, if you are hired to fill a position, you will be required to submit to a Detroit Public Schools Community District criminal background check. Information regarding required background checks will be shared at point of hire.

Method of Application:

Applicants must apply through the online application system. Only applications submitted through the online application system will be considered for any posted position and all applications require a resume to be considered.

Successful candidates are required to submit official transcript(s) at point of offer to hire. Teaching service outside of the Detroit Public Schools Community District must be verified by the applicant's prior employer(s) prior to hire. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide all documentation (including copies) as requested.

Applicants requesting assistance during the application process should contact the Office of Human Resources via email at [emailprotected] or phone at [phone].

DPSCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability and/or religion. Contact the Civil Rights Coordinator for more information at [phone] or detroitk12.org/compliance.

DPSCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, transgender identity, disability, age, religion, height, weight, citizenship, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category, in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admissions opportunities.