Active Playful Learning Coach - Loudoun County Elementary Schools (Staff Wage)

The Center for the Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning (CASTL) in the School of Education and Human Development at the University of Virginia seeks applicants for a coach for elementary teachers. The incumbent will become part of a vibrant team of faculty, students, and staff conducting research on active playful learning in Virginia elementary schools. Specifically, the Active Playful Learning (APL) Coach will work with the University of Virginia a subrecipient of a LEGO Foundation grant, to support the goals of the project measuring the impact of Active Playful Learning in classrooms across the U.S. This role will include both on-site work in Loudoun Co, VA elementary schools, as well as remote work.

• As an APL coach, you will provide support for elementary school teachers in Loudoun Co. Public Elementary Schools through training, coaching, data collection, and observations as teachers implement the Active Playful Learning framework in their classrooms.
• APL coaches will also support additional coaches in future years of the project through leading professional development and helping APL achieve project outcomes.
• APL coaches will be a member of the University of Virginia research team and work under the direct supervision of Dr. Tara Hofkens.

T he expectation is that this position will work 35-40 hours per week for 10 months per year.

Role and Responsibilities

• Attend a summer multi-day professional development workshop (travel & accommodation will be provided) to learn the APL approach.

• Bi-weekly visits with dozens of teachers in the 15 elementary schools in the Loudoun Co. school district.

• Engage in ongoing professional development and trainings with the national APL team to bring evidence-based practices to coaching activities.

• Assist in training new coaches in APL and coaching framework.

• Conduct bi-weekly practice-based coaching sessions with teachers that include:

• Creation of effective coaching agreements and schedules.

• Co-designing goals and action plans that integrate and expand new learning.

• Conduct focused direct observations in classrooms around targeted practice:

• Documentation with coaching logs, surveys, observations, and other data collection duties with strong attention to detail.

• Facilitate reflection and provide feedback to teachers, assisting them with resources, materials, tools, and identification of best practices.

• Provide support for classroom management strategies and culturally responsive approaches.

• Build and maintain strong positive relationships with teachers, administrators, and other coaches.

• Work effectively with adult learners, including providing encouragement and emotional support to teachers, skillfully offering constructive feedback to facilitate change, and demonstrating flexibility, openness, and willingness to implement new ideas.

• Work as part of a team at the University of Virginia, and collaborate and partner, as needed, with the national APL team.

• Work in partnership with participants without judgment or bias, recognizing and respecting individual differences and backgrounds.

Minimum Requirements

Education : Master's degree or a demonstrated mastery in their specialty area normally signified by significant equivalent experience.

Experience : At least five year of experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong preference will be given to candidates who can commit to this position for the full 3- to 4- year term.

• Currently certified to teach Kindergarten and/or Grade 1-3 in this state

• Master's degree in early childhood education, education or related field

• At least five years of experience teaching Kindergarten and/or Grade 1-3.

• Experience with teaching elementary mathematics and/or with elementary mathematics curriculum.

• Experience in instructional coaching or related role preferred.

• Experience in development, preparation, and presentation of professional development preferred.

Physical Demands

This job requires reliable transportation. We anticipate the successful candidate will conduct approximately 12 site visits every 2 weeks. The job involves occasional travel to Charlottesville to meet with the CASTL team. Transportation costs will be reimbursed.

Compensation Information

Position Compensation Range: $31.25 - $38.46 Hourly, commensurate with education and experience.

Application Instructions

To apply, please submit an application online through Workday at https://jobs.virginia.edu/ and attach a current CV/Resume. A cover letter is optional but strongly encouraged. Search on requisition number: R0054501

The position will remain open until filled.

This position will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

This is a wage position which is not eligible for leave or other benefits and is limited to 1500 hours of work in a year. For more information, refer to the Wage Employment link: http://uvapolicy.virginia.edu/policy/HRM-029

The continuation of this position is dependent upon project need, availability of funding, and performance.

The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment. This position will also require an Education Verification.

For additional information about the position, please contact Tara Hofkens at hofkens@virginia.edu .

Questions related to the application process may be directed to Jen Krahn, Sr. HR Specialist, at jak8w@virginia.edu.

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MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education: Master's degree or a demonstrated mastery in their specialty area normally signified by significant equivalent experience.

Experience: A t least five year of experience.

Licensure: None .

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require walking some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

The University of Virginia, i ncluding the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician's Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.