LITERACY (CURRICULUM) COACH 
(MTSS Grant Funded)
Starts: August 2026
Salary: BEA Salary Schedule

REQUIRES A MONTANA EDUCATORS LICENSE

 The MTSS-R Coach will support schools in implementing four components of a Multi-Tiered System of Support in Reading model for students in grades 1 and 2: Tier I instruction, Tier II intervention, data-based decision making, and infrastructure. The MTSS-R Coach will work with (a) the school's MTSS-R team, (b) Grade 1 and 2 classroom teachers, and (c) the interventionists and/or teachers who implement Tier II programs for Grade 1 and 2 students. The coach will support these staff to learn reading assessment and instruction content, skills, and practices that improve student achievement. The MTSS-R coach will have five schools to work with and will work one day a week in each of the schools.
 
The MTSS-R Coach position is supported by a contract with the American Institutes for Research (AIR), for the purpose of conducting an evaluation of MTSS-R on behalf of the United States Department of Education (ED), Institute for Education Sciences (IES). AIR is partnering with two training providers who will support the MTSS-R coach in acquiring the knowledge, skills and technological expertise necessary to effectively impact those that are coached: 

1. Enhanced Core Reading Instruction (ECRI), supported by the University of Oregon Center on Teaching and Learning, and Catapult Learning, Inc.
2. CORE Partners, supported by the University of Minnesota Center on Applied Research for Educational Improvement and Consortium on Reaching Excellence in Education

The MTSS-R Coach will be assigned to and receive training and ongoing support from one of these two training providers.
 
Outcomes Promoted by Coaching

1. MTSS-R and grade-level teams will be proficient in using data to identify students in need of intervention, and to inform instructional practices.
2. Grade 1 and 2 classroom teachers will learn about and use effective, data-based and explicit instructional strategies to meet the instructional needs of all students.
3. Interventionists will implement Tier II intervention with fidelity to support students with the greatest need.

 
Activities Supported by the MTSS-R Coach
For each school, the MTSS-R Coach will 

• identify MTSS-R team roles (i.e., team lead, note taker, data specialist, timekeeper)
• facilitate MTSS-R team meetings using standard agendas
• provide support to the MTSS-R team and instructional staff with analysis and use of student data to inform instructional decisions and practices
• meet regularly with administration to review student assessment and MTSS-R implementation data and assess progress towards goals
• provide technical assistance focused on effective Tier I instruction and Tier II intervention
• provide individual support to teachers on instructional skill development through classroom visits, modeling, and feedback
• provide individual support to interventionists on Tier II intervention through classroom visits, modeling, and feedback
• assist with conducting implementation data collection in Tier I and Tier II
• participate in classroom visits with technical assistance providers (from ECRI or CORE Partners)
• serve as a liaison between school staff and technical assistance providers (from ECRI or CORE Partners)

 
Other Responsibilities
To facilitate high-quality implementation of the MTSS-R model and a successful evaluation of its impact, the MTSS-R Coach will also serve as a liaison between the district and the AIR study team. In this role, the MTSS-R Coach is expected to

• work in collaboration with trainers and expert coaches and consultants from the training providers
• attend all training sessions provided to teachers and interventionists and school teams
• attend group and individual coach meetings with the provider
• maintain regular coaching logs and make available to the study team via web portal
• use coaching management protocols for organizing the coaching process (weekly coaching plans, and implementation checklists).

 
Desired Skills
The MTSS-R Coach should have the following qualifications:

• expertise in beginning reading instruction based on the science of reading
• experience implementing components of an MTSS framework
• experience with administration and interpretation of screening, diagnostic, and progress monitoring assessments, including working with associated online data systems
• prior coaching experience
• excellent written and verbal communication
• familiarity with Billings Public Schools policies and practices, including the current reading program, Wonders
• adept at balancing and prioritizing professional duties before, during, and after school hours, as well as planning and preparing for these duties
• demonstrated punctuality, preparedness, organization, and commitment
• knowledgeable about current and past research in content areas and other pedagogies relevant to the coaching role

Go to www.billingsschools.org and click "Employment Opportunities" for either the online application for external applicants or the internal application for internal applicants (currently employed by BPS in a regular position or a contracted long-term BEA assignment). "AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: This employer does not knowingly discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, or national origin."

Closes: Open Until Filled
* Please Note: Positions posted as "Open Until Filled" must be posted for a minimum of 10 calendar days and then can close at any time after that.