Curriculum and Instructional Coach (Issaquah)

The Curriculum and Instructional Coach at Gersh Autism Academy plays a critical role in supporting the professional growth of educators and enhancing instructional practices aligned with the Academy’s ABA-based educational model. This role focuses on mentoring, modeling, and coaching teachers and support staff to ensure high-quality, individualized instruction for students with autism. This position is located in Issaquah, WA.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities  

• Helps to set the vision, strategy, and long-range roadmap for educational curriculum in Washington 

• Gather and learn the OSPI Specific needs and implement into the WA schools.  

• Collaborate with the SBL and Regional VP to select, adopt, and lifecycle management of approved curricula and instructional programs organization-wide (e.g., Unique Learning, Edmark, Reading Milestones, Autism Helper, Into Reading, Go Math, Read 180/Math 180, All Things Algebra, CK-12 Science). 

• Establish curriculum standards, pacing frameworks, and instructional quality benchmarks that ensure consistency across sites while allowing for individualized student programming. 

• Ensure high-quality delivery of training across all school sites. 

• Build organizational capacity by developing scalable, sustainable systems for onboarding, coaching, and ongoing professional development of educational teaching staff. 

• Oversee the New Teacher Mentor program and other professional development structures, ensuring they are effective and consistently implemented. 

• Establish and monitor training standards for core systems and practices, including PowerSchool, curriculum-based assessments (ABLLS, AFLS, Brigance), report writing (45-day and annual reviews), classroom management, and program book development. 

• Design and oversee systems to evaluate the effectiveness of curriculum, instruction, and professional development across the organization, using data to drive improvement. 

• Ensure special education curriculum and instructional practices comply with applicable state and federal special education laws and regulations. 

• Analyze student outcome and program data to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for improvement, and translate findings into actionable strategy. 

• Prepare reports and recommendations for executive leadership on curriculum effectiveness, training outcomes, and instructional quality. 

• Partner with executive leadership, principals, and clinical/therapeutic teams to align curriculum with the organization's broader educational and therapeutic mission. 

• Represent curriculum and instructional priorities in organizational planning, budgeting, and accreditation or regulatory processes. 

• Stay current with special education research, policy, and best practices, and lead the integration of emerging practices into organizational strategy. 

• Travel regularly to school locations across the network to support implementation and evaluate program quality. 

Qualifications  

• Master's degree in Special Education, Educational Leadership, School Psychology, or a related field (preferred) 

• Valid state certification in Special Education (preferred) 

• Minimum of eight years of experience in special education, including significant experience in curriculum development, instructional leadership, and staff supervision (required)

• Demonstrated experience leading curriculum or instructional initiatives across multiple sites or at an organizational level. 

• Administrative or supervisory certification (preferred) 

Physical Requirements  

• Must be able to keep students safe from themselves and others and, in some cases, may need to implement CPI (therapeutic holds) procedures.  

• Must be able to remove oneself from potentially harmful situations and, in some cases, be able to lift a child.  

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and move throughout the workday 

• Ability to lift (at least 50-65 pounds), assist, and/or physically support students, which may include lifting or guiding students of varying sizes

• Ability to physically intervene when required to ensure safety (per CPI training)

• Ability to remove oneself and/or others from unsafe situations quickly

• Ability to maintain attention and focus in a dynamic, high-stimulation environment

• Ability to multi-task and shift priorities quickly

• Ability to exercise sound judgment and decision-making, particularly in high-pressure or safety-sensitive situations

• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and maintain professional relationships

• Ability to perform duties under stress, including during behavioral escalations

Working Environment

• Location: Cougar Mountain and Issaquah Schools, with regular travel in between as needed.

• Combination of office setting and school/classroom environments.

Benefits for Full Time Employees

Gersh Autism offers a competitive compensation package, including comprehensive health and retirement benefits, professional development opportunities, and a supportive work environment committed to your personal and professional growth. 

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k matching)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Training & Development

Compensation range includes base and KRA bonus eligibility