Job Title: High School Teacher / Head Boys Cross Country Coach

Wage/Hour Status: Exempt

 

Reports to: Principal / Athletic Coordinator / Executive Director of Athletics

Pay Grade: Teacher Pay + Coaching Stipend

 

Dept./School: Juarez-Lincoln High School

Initiated Date: March 2026

 

WHO WE ARE

 

La Joya Independent School District is committed to excellence for students, staff, and the community. With a strong legacy in the Rio Grande Valley, La Joya ISD is focused on providing high-quality academic, athletic, and extracurricular opportunities for all students.

 

The district’s vision, Educational Excellence: The Right of Every Student, reflects our commitment to ensuring every student has access to a high-quality education and opportunities that support student success.

Our work is rooted in the district’s core priorities:

1. Customer Service


2. Trust & Transparency


3. High-Quality Instruction


4. Excellence in Leadership


5. Integrity & Accountability

La Joya ISD serves more than 22,000 students across more than 30 schools and is committed to building systems that support academic achievement, athletic excellence, student leadership, and community pride.

 

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

 

La Joya ISD seeks a committed, motivated, and highly organized educator-coach to serve as a High School Teacher and Head Boys Cross Country Coach at Juarez-Lincoln High School. The ideal candidate will be passionate about student development, classroom instruction, distance running, athletic competition, and building a cross country program rooted in discipline, endurance, accountability, character, and excellence.

 

We are looking for a leader who:

• Demonstrates excellence in classroom instruction and cross country coaching.


• Holds high expectations for student-athletes academically, behaviorally, and athletically.


• Develops and implements a competitive boys cross country program focused on distance running, endurance, pacing, strength, recovery, nutrition, mental toughness, and race strategy.


• Builds a culture of accountability, commitment, sportsmanship, work ethic, and continuous growth.


• Leads by example through professionalism, organization, integrity, consistency, and personal discipline.


• Mentors assistant coaches and supports vertical alignment with middle school cross country programs.


• Builds strong relationships with students, families, faculty, staff, and community partners.


• Promotes equity, broad student participation, and multi-sport athlete development.


• Supports academic accountability, eligibility, attendance, and student success.


• Commits to continuous professional growth and year-round program improvement.

WHY LA JOYA ISD

 

You will be joining a district that is building on a strong tradition of achievement while continuing to improve systems, expectations, and opportunities for students. La Joya ISD is committed to developing student-athletes who demonstrate excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in the community.

 

The district values strong leadership, student-centered decision-making, athletic program development, and a unified approach to building pride across all campuses.

 

WHY JUAREZ-LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL

 

Juarez-Lincoln High School is a proud learning community with a strong tradition of academic achievement, athletic pride, and community support. As the home of the Huskies, Juarez-Lincoln High School provides an outstanding opportunity for a Head Boys Cross Country Coach to lead, grow, and strengthen a competitive distance running program.

 

The boys cross country program has the opportunity to build on a strong feeder system, develop student-athletes through year-round training, and promote excellence through discipline, preparation, consistency, endurance, and a commitment to team success. The campus leadership team and athletic department are focused on supporting student achievement, athletic success, and a positive culture of high expectations.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

 

Education / Certification

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.


• Valid Texas Teaching Certificate.


• Valid CPR, AED, and First Aid certification.


• Completion of all required UIL coaching certifications and compliance trainings.

Experience

• Minimum of two years of coaching experience at the secondary level preferred.


• Experience as a head coach or lead assistant preferred.


• Demonstrated experience in developing student-athletes in cross country, distance running, track, or endurance-based training.


• Experience organizing practices, meets, offseason programs, summer running plans, and program development preferred.

Special Knowledge and Skills

• Demonstrated knowledge of TEKS and the ability to implement rigorous, standards-aligned instruction consistent with the La Joya ISD Instructional Framework.


• Strong knowledge of UIL rules, athletic compliance, eligibility requirements, heat safety, hydration protocols, and student-athlete supervision.


• Knowledge of cross country training principles, including aerobic base development, tempo runs, intervals, hill training, race pacing, recovery, injury prevention, nutrition, and meet preparation.


• Ability to develop practice plans, training cycles, mileage progressions, offseason conditioning programs, and competitive race strategies.


• Ability to safely supervise early morning, afternoon, outdoor, road, campus, park, and off-site running activities.


• Effective classroom and team management skills.


• Strong organizational, communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.


• Ability to work collaboratively with campus administration, athletic coordinators, assistant coaches, parents, athletic trainers, and community members.


• Ability to promote student participation and develop a positive, competitive athletic culture.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

 

Instructional Responsibilities

• Deliver engaging, standards-aligned instruction in the assigned content area in alignment with the La Joya ISD Instructional Framework.


• Implement the district curriculum with fidelity to ensure rigorous, student-centered learning experiences.


• Develop and execute comprehensive lesson plans aligned to TEKS, district curriculum guides, and campus instructional priorities.


• Establish clear learning objectives and communicate high academic expectations for all students.


• Use formative and summative assessment data to monitor student progress and adjust instruction.


• Differentiate instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners.


• Provide timely, specific, and actionable feedback to promote student growth and accountability.


• Maintain an organized and structured classroom environment that maximizes instructional time.


• Implement proactive classroom management strategies that promote respect, engagement, and positive student behavior.


• Integrate technology and district-adopted instructional resources to support student achievement.


• Collaborate with colleagues in Professional Learning Communities to analyze data and improve instructional practices.


• Communicate consistently with parents and guardians regarding student progress, expectations, and concerns.


• Maintain accurate records of attendance, grades, accommodations, and required documentation in compliance with district policy.


• Participate in ongoing professional development to continuously improve instructional effectiveness.


• Support campus initiatives that promote academic excellence, character development, and student success.

Athletic Program Leadership

• Plan, organize, and implement the Juarez-Lincoln High School boys cross country program.


• Develop a comprehensive boys cross country program focused on endurance, pacing, running mechanics, strength, mobility, recovery, race preparation, leadership, and team culture.


• Create practice plans that include distance runs, tempo runs, interval training, hill work, recovery runs, flexibility, strength training, injury prevention, hydration, and mental preparation.


• Develop training programs that support student-athlete growth during the cross country season, offseason, summer preparation, and transition into track season when applicable.


• Organize and manage tryouts, rosters, practice schedules, meet entries, transportation, uniforms, equipment, hydration plans, and program events.


• Establish safe running routes and supervision procedures for campus, road, park, and off-site training locations.


• Monitor weather, heat index, hydration, and environmental conditions to ensure safe participation.


• Teach proper warm-up routines, cool-down routines, stretching, recovery habits, nutrition awareness, and injury prevention strategies.


• Analyze athlete performance, practice data, race times, splits, and meet results to improve training, runner development, race strategy, and team placement.


• Prepare student-athletes for district, regional, and state-level competition.


• Collaborate with the Athletic Coordinator, campus administration, assistant coaches, athletic trainers, and district athletic office to align program goals.


• Mentor assistant coaches and provide clear expectations for practice planning, supervision, student support, communication, and professional conduct.


• Support vertical alignment with middle school cross country programs to build consistent systems, terminology, expectations, conditioning habits, and student development.


• Promote multi-sport participation and collaborate with track, soccer, basketball, and other coaches to support student-athlete success.


• Monitor student-athlete academic progress, attendance, behavior, and UIL eligibility.


• Maintain accurate records related to rosters, physicals, parent forms, eligibility, emergency contacts, meet entries, travel, equipment, inventory, and required documentation.


• Ensure compliance with UIL, TEA, La Joya ISD, and campus athletic policies.


• Supervise student-athletes during practices, meets, travel, offseason programs, summer workouts, and athletic events.


• Manage cross country equipment, uniforms, timing materials, tents, water stations, safety supplies, and instructional resources responsibly.


• Promote a positive team culture centered on discipline, effort, accountability, sportsmanship, endurance, resilience, teamwork, and pride in Juarez-Lincoln High School.

Cross Country Program Expectations

• Build a structured year-round distance running program that supports both cross country and track distance events.


• Develop a clear seasonal training calendar that includes summer base training, preseason preparation, regular season competition, championship preparation, and postseason reflection.


• Establish mileage progression plans that are safe, age-appropriate, and aligned to athlete experience levels.


• Create systems for tracking attendance, mileage, race times, practice performance, recovery, injuries, and academic eligibility.


• Coordinate with athletic trainers regarding injury prevention, return-to-play procedures, hydration, heat illness prevention, and student-athlete wellness.


• Ensure all routes, workouts, and off-campus practices are approved, supervised, and communicated in advance.


• Maintain strong communication with parents regarding practice times, meet schedules, transportation, expectations, nutrition, hydration, and student safety.


• Promote student leadership through team captains, peer mentoring, accountability groups, and positive team culture activities.


• Encourage participation from incoming freshmen and middle school feeder programs.


• Support the development of runners across all levels, from beginner athletes to varsity-level competitors.


• Plan and support team-building activities that reinforce character, responsibility, commitment, and pride.


• Use race results and training data to set individual and team goals.


• Encourage student-athletes to represent La Joya ISD, Juarez-Lincoln High School, and the athletic program with pride and sportsmanship.

Compliance and Safety

• Maintain current CPR, AED, First Aid, concussion, heat illness, and UIL-required certifications.


• Follow all UIL, TEA, district, and campus safety guidelines during practices, meets, travel, and athletic activities.


• Ensure all student-athletes have completed required physicals, forms, emergency contacts, and eligibility requirements before participation.


• Monitor student-athlete safety during conditioning, distance runs, workouts, practices, competitions, travel, and off-site training.


• Implement appropriate emergency action procedures for campus and off-site running locations.


• Report injuries, incidents, concerns, and safety issues in a timely manner.


• Coordinate transportation, supervision, hydration, weather monitoring, and student accountability for athletic events.


• Maintain professional boundaries and ensure appropriate supervision of student-athletes at all times.


• Ensure students are never left unsupervised during early morning, afternoon, evening, or off-site workouts.

Community Engagement

• Communicate regularly and professionally with parents, students, staff, and community stakeholders.


• Promote the boys cross country program through campus events, parent communication, feeder school engagement, student recruitment, and community outreach.


• Encourage student-athletes to represent Juarez-Lincoln High School and La Joya ISD with pride, integrity, discipline, and sportsmanship.


• Build positive relationships with families to support student participation, academic success, and athletic development.


• Model professionalism, integrity, accountability, respect, and servant leadership at all times.


• Support districtwide athletic initiatives and promote the One Pack culture across La Joya ISD.

Professional Responsibilities

• Participate in campus and district-level meetings, professional development, and athletic department trainings.


• Support school initiatives aligned to district priorities.


• Collaborate with faculty, staff, coaches, athletic trainers, and administrators to improve student outcomes.


• Maintain accurate documentation and meet all required deadlines.


• Follow all district policies, campus procedures, UIL guidelines, and athletic department expectations.


• Uphold district values of integrity, accountability, trust, transparency, and excellence in leadership.


• Perform other duties as assigned by the Principal, Athletic Coordinator, Executive Director of Athletics, or Superintendent’s designee.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Mental Demands

• Maintain emotional control under stress.


• Handle multiple priorities and competing deadlines.


• Exercise sound judgment and decision-making.


• Communicate effectively with students, parents, staff, and community members.


• Manage competitive, high-pressure athletic environments.


• Monitor student safety and decision-making during outdoor training and travel.

Physical Demands

• Frequent standing, walking, jogging, lifting, bending, stretching, and movement during practices and competitions.


• Ability to lift and carry equipment up to 50 pounds.


• Ability to demonstrate or assist with running drills, stretching, warm-ups, and conditioning activities when appropriate.


• Work in indoor and outdoor environments as needed.


• Exposure to heat, humidity, cold, rain, wind, uneven terrain, and other weather conditions.


• Extended hours including early mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekends, holidays, and travel.

Work Environment

• Classrooms, tracks, weight rooms, locker rooms, athletic facilities, campus running routes, parks, trails, roads, competition venues, and community settings.


• Practices, meets, invitationals, district events, offseason workouts, summer conditioning, and travel.


• Frequent interaction with students, parents, coaches, administrators, athletic trainers, and community members.

POSITION WORKING DAYS

 

187 Days + Extended Days for Coaching Duties

Position Type: Full-Time

 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other responsibilities be performed when the needs of the district change.