Academic Support Coach

Acceleration Academies is passionate about improving student outcomes. We provide two capabilities that drive student success. Our dropout recovery and student re-engagement program (Acceleration Academies), is an innovative education partner helping young adults overcome real-life challenges to earn their high school diploma tuition-free through partnerships with state or local school districts across the country. Our technology platform (Incite®) enables data-driven teaching and learning. These offerings are both rooted in our belief that every student deserves access to the best instruction, tools and resources possible.

Position Title: Academic Support Coach

Employment Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Reports To: Academy Director

Employment Type: This position is full-time and funded through Title 1 funds. Employment is contingent on the yearly categorical allocation of federal funds 

Job Expectations

Academic Support Coaches serve as a learning resource for our Graduation Candidates (GC), collaborating with Content Coaches to (1) teach a competency-based blended curriculum in which GCs demonstrate proficiency through summative assessments, (2) Develop supplemental lessons and provide interventions that support GCs proficiency in reading and writing across all content areas (3) Work closely with GCs that are making minimal progress in ELA to fill academic gaps.

Job Responsibilities

• Continuous Improvement Planning & Implementation
• Support Academy Director in developing and implementing the SDE Continuous Improvement Plan
• Help coordinate stakeholder meetings for plan development
• Analyze data to inform improvement strategies
• Assist in creating action steps and timelines
• Track progress and suggest strategy adjustments
• Prepare documentation for SDE submissions
• Support regular reviews of improvement plan progress
• Help ensure alignment between improvement plan and academy practices

Assessment & Data Management

• Coordinate network, district, and state mandated assessments
• Process and analyze assessment results
• Support creation of intervention groups based on data
• Facilitate weekly data review meetings with teachers using MTSS framework
• Monitor GC assessment completion and performance
• Provide data analysis for continuous improvement planning

Academic Support & Intervention

• Support coordination of supplemental academic programs
• Assist in designing and implementing interventions
• Help develop strategies to eliminate barriers to student success
• Coordinate Tier II interventions based on student needs
• Support development of targeted plans for at-risk GC students
• Align interventions with improvement plan goals

Graduation Candidate Management

• Track GC progress toward graduation requirements
• Support academic reviews for all GC students
• Help coordinate teacher support for struggling GC/students
• Support development of individualized graduation plans
• Provide progress updates to Academy Director and stakeholders

Scheduling & Program Management

• Support academy counselor in master schedule development
• Help minimize instructional gaps before EOC testing
• Assist in coordinating student commitment schedules
• Support systematic scheduling approaches
• Help prioritize GC scheduling needs

College & Career Readiness

• Support alignment with Profile of the South Carolina Graduate
• Track student progress toward graduation requirements
• Assist career coach with college and career preparation
• Help monitor student progress toward graduation
• Support specialized guidance for GC students

Professional Development

• Assist in designing professional growth opportunities
• Model effective teaching practices
• Support academy capacity building efforts
• Participate in ADEPT evaluation and mentoring
• Support staff development for GC student success
• Assist with continuous improvement training

Collaboration & Support

• Support stakeholder engagement initiatives
• Maintain communication channels with teachers and staff
• Assist with academy-wide initiatives
• Support academy improvement efforts
• Facilitate GC support team meetings
• Support continuous improvement collaboration

Required Qualifications

• Education & Certification: Master’s degree or higher
• Valid Secondary South Carolina educators credential required
• ELL endorsement highly preferred

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant teaching or administrator experience
• Prior experience as a teacher, teaching assistant, paraprofessional, or other related education field

Background Requirements

• Clear state and federal criminal history background check

Technical Proficiency

• Thorough knowledge of Google Workspace
• Proficiency with Mobile Technologies (smartphones, tablets, etc.)
• Experience with Learning Management Systems (LMS)
• Familiarity with Student Information Systems (SIS)

Core Competencies

• Excellent communication skills (listening, observation, reading, verbal, nonverbal, and writing)
• Superior time-management and organizational abilities
• Demonstrated record-keeping accuracy
• Strong relationship-building skills with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Professional demeanor and appropriate work attire
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality of privileged information
• Proven ability to diplomatically diffuse tension and handle intense situations

Professional Conduct

• Upholds policies and follows guidelines and procedures
• Accepts personal responsibility for decisions and conduct
• Develops positive rapport with staff, GCs, and the Acceleration Academy community
• Maintains high standards of professional ethics
• Demonstrates commitment to continuous professional growth

Preferred Additional Qualifications
Certifications

• SC 4.0 Certified Education Evaluator

• SC 4.0 Certified Evaluator (School Guidance Counselors)

• SC Read-to-Succeed Endorsement (K-12)

Language Skills

• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish and English prefered

Educational Expertise

Experience with:

• Differentiated small group instruction
• ELL student support strategies
• Thinking Maps and writing across curriculum tools
• Project-based learning
• Instructional coaching
• Portfolio assessment
• Competency-based education models
• Collaborative learning approaches
• Technology integration
• Cross-disciplinary learning
• Alternative assessments
• School-to-career curriculum integration

Specialized Knowledge

• Basic understanding of:
  • ESE (Exceptional Student Education)
  • ELL (English Language Learner) strategies
  • Academic and Social-Emotional intervention approaches
• Experience in non-traditional school settings
• Background working with youth who have had barriers that prevented them from being successful in their traditional educational journey

Mission Alignment

• Demonstrated commitment to supporting disengaged youth
• Passion for creating academic and personal breakthrough opportunities
• Proven ability to work effectively in alternative education environments

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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands to touch, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. 

Work Environment and Work Demands

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally be exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is consistent with that of a collaborative school environment.

Acceleration Academies is an Equal Opportunity Employer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. It is understood that other related duties may be assigned. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform all aspects of the position, described above satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.