Job Details

Location: Bay Area, California (required)

Compensation: $70-100/hour (depends on experience)

Schedule: Part-time, up to 80 hours per month

Start Date: June 1, 2026 (with some paid onboarding meetings prior to support stakeholder relationship-building)

About Fair Schools

Fair Schools partners with school and district leaders to strengthen systems so that all students, especially those historically underserved, receive excellent, equitable learning opportunities. We support school leadership teams in turning strong vision into strong practice through coaching, systems-building, and high-impact professional learning.

Position Overview

The School Development Coach is a former school leader who partners with principals, instructional leadership teams (ILTs), and teachers to support high-quality implementation of an evidence-based literacy curriculum grounded in the Science of Reading.

This role blends instructional leadership, systems coaching, and change management. The coach helps schools translate curriculum vision into daily classroom practice through structured walkthroughs, leadership coaching, data analysis, and professional development.

This is a part-time, field-based role requiring deep experience in school leadership and instructional improvement.

Key ResponsibilitiesPrincipal & Leadership Coaching

• Coach principals on leading strong literacy implementation, including vision-setting, staff alignment, and instructional monitoring
• Support principals in developing systems for observation, feedback, and accountability
• Guide school leaders in managing change, building staff buy-in, and sustaining momentum
• Support the development and effectiveness of Instructional Leadership Teams (ILTs)

Instructional Walkthroughs & Teacher Support

• Conduct regular literacy-focused walkthroughs with school leaders
• Calibrate on what high-quality curriculum implementation looks like in practice
• Support leaders in providing actionable, observation-based feedback to teachers
• Identify trends in instruction and help leaders plan targeted supports

Professional Development

• Design and facilitate professional learning for principals, ILTs, and teachers
• Build leader and teacher understanding of:
• Science of Reading–aligned instruction
• High-quality curriculum implementation
• Instructional routines and unit/lesson internalization
• Model strong adult learning practices grounded in coaching and feedback

Data Analysis & Strategy

• Support school leaders in analyzing literacy achievement and implementation data
• Help teams identify root causes and develop responsive action plans
• Use walkthrough and student data to inform leadership coaching and PD focus areas

Systems & Change Management

• Apply research-based change management principles to support sustainable school improvement
• Help leaders build systems that outlast individual initiatives
• Support alignment between district priorities, school systems, and classroom practice

QualificationsRequired

• Previous experience as a school principal
• Demonstrated success leading school-wide instructional improvement
• Deep knowledge of change management and school improvement
• Strong coaching background, including familiarity with:
• Get Better Faster
• The Art of Coaching (or similar coaching frameworks)
• Experience leading or supporting evidence-based literacy instruction and implementation of a high-quality, knowledge-building literacy curriculum (e.g. EL Education, Fishtank, Wit & Wisdom, etc.)
• Strong data analysis skills; ability to turn data into clear action steps
• Knowledge of California education laws, policies, and literacy initiatives
• Ability to build trust with school leaders and facilitate adult learning
• Based in California and able to travel to school sites as needed

Preferred

• Formal training in the Science of Reading
• Experience working across multiple schools or within a district support role

Core Competencies

• Instructional leadership
• Systems change management
• Coaching and adult development
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving
• Clear, actionable communication
• Relationship-building with diverse stakeholders

Work Conditions

• Part-time role, up to 80 hours per month
• Ability to attend in-person school visits
• Smei-flexible schedule with daytime availability required for school-based work
• Start date of June 1, 2026, with some onboarding meetings scheduled in advance to support relationship-building with key stakeholders

Interview Process

1. Initial Screening Interview
2. A conversation to learn about your leadership experience, coaching approach, and understanding of literacy implementation.
3. Performance Task: Data Analysis & Strategy Exercise
4. Candidates invited to the next round will complete a practical exercise analyzing school data and developing a strategic support plan. This simulates key aspects of the role.

How to Apply

By April 3rd, please submit:

• Your resume
• A short cover letter (maximum 250 words) describing your interest and relevant experience

Send materials to: ...@fairschools.org

Application deadline: April 3

Note: We will begin reviewing applications immediately and interview on a rolling basis until the position is filled.