Graduation Coach

Pending approval of the SY25 CFA by TDOE and HCS Board. 

Hamilton County Schools, located in Chattanooga, TN, is working to ensure that all students thrive and experience a future without limits.  We are committed to excellence for every student and are seeking outstanding leaders, teachers, support staff, and district employees who desire to make a difference in the lives of students. With nearly 75 schools, we are confident that you can find your place in Hamilton County. 

Learn more about working for Hamilton County Schools at careers.hcde.org and get to know us and our strategic plan, Opportunity 2030.

The purpose of this job is to engage in high school graduation assistance activities, including but not limited to working with students, school faculty and staff, parents, and guardians. The Graduation Coach will provide assistance to all high school students, individually and in groups, regarding high school graduation and completion, including but not limited to analyzing data to identify students or subgroups with potential high school graduation problems; planning, implementing, and tracking individual high school graduation plans; identifying and resolving barriers to graduation; and facilitating career choices and planning.

• Identifies and counsels high school students at risk of dropping out and develops strategies to continue to engage them in learning throughout their high school career, using relevant academic and behavioral data and qualitative measures.
• Develops and implements Engagement and Career plans for students who are at risk for not graduating, working with teachers, counselors, parents, employers, mentors and other individuals or organizations that have responsibility for or that significantly influence the student's personal and school life.
• Reviews and monitors student's Student Success Plan each semester, and makes adjustments as necessary, and works with appropriate parties when a student is not adhering to Student Success Plan.
• Provides training and/or support to middle school and high school teachers on support measures that work with youth identified as at-risk for not graduating.
• Works with faculty and administrators to develop credit recovery and alternative options to adapt curriculum and differentiated instruction to meet the needs of identified at risk students.
• Develops and implements individual, small group, and whole school intervention and prevention strategies to increase the likelihood that students will stay in school and graduate.
• Builds coherence through vertical articulation with Middle and High Schools
• Conducts quarterly vertical team meetings among middle and high school faculty and staff to develop action steps to improve individual student and subgroup transition success rates.
• Collaborates with teachers, counselors, and/or advisors to ensure the continued use of the transition process for 8th graders and freshmen to help students successfully adapt to the rigors of the high school experience.
• Facilitates collaborations with parents/guardians, community organizations, and other resources.
• Connects individual students and their parents/guardians with community organizations and programs. 
• Develops or works with local mentoring programs, business and/or community coaches to connect individual students with mentors.
• Provides support and outreach to parents/guardians of students at risk of not graduating.
• Provides and/or submits reports as scheduled/requested.
• Attends and participates in ongoing professional development.
• Acts in a professional, respectful, and courteous manner at all times. 
• Creates a customer-focused climate and provides quality services and support to the schools and other stakeholders.
• Complies with applicable district, state, and federal codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures. 
• Attends work and arrives to work on time.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Adheres to the Teacher Code of Ethics as defined by Tennessee Law.
• Attends meetings as needed.
• Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge/Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in education, training, subject field, curriculum, or relevant content area. Master’s degree preferred. 
• A valid Tennessee certificate in teaching, service (school counseling, school psychology, and/or social work, and or leadership required. 
• Five (5) years of successful counseling/teaching experience required. 
  
  

Skills/Qualifications:

• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills to deal effectively with students, Board members, educators, parents, and community members.  
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and customer service skills. 
• Demonstrate excellent planning, organizational, problem-solving, decision-making, and time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines. 
• Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply the appropriate sections of applicable laws, guidelines, regulations, ordinances and policies.
  
  

Compensation:
Salary is based on a combination of relevant education and experience.
Salary Scale