Edtech.com's Summary

Bellwether is hiring a Senior Consultant (LIFT Coach) [Contractor Opportunity]. The role involves supporting Texas districts and schools in strengthening instructional leadership, implementing high-quality instructional materials, and building educator capacity through coaching and strategic planning. Candidates will participate in paid contractor training, with opportunities for contract work and potential full-time employment.

Highlights

Support Texas districts and schools participating in the LIFT statewide initiative to enhance instructional leadership and high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) use.
Participate in a mandatory, paid contractor training in January-February 2026, compensated at a flat rate of $2,200.
Provide job-embedded coaching to district and campus leaders including principals and instructional coaches.
Conduct diagnostic reviews, support strategic planning, and monitor progress to ensure alignment with HQIM and LIFT goals.
Deliver professional development and model curriculum internalization routines for educators.
Required qualifications include Texas residency, 7+ years of pre-K–12 experience including 3+ years in campus leadership, expertise in English language arts and/or mathematics, and availability for training and contract work.
Contract work compensated at $98 per hour from February to May 2026.
Potential full-time Senior Consultant role beginning May 2026 with a salary range of $130,500-$150,000 plus a $7,500 performance bonus and benefits.
Strong project leadership, communication skills, and experience coaching district-level leaders preferred.
Work focuses on supporting students with historically the least access to quality instruction and building sustainable instructional systems.

Senior Consultant (LIFT Coach) [Contractor Opportunity] Full Description

About Bellwether

Bellwether is a national nonprofit that exists to transform education to ensure students furthest from opportunity achieve outcomes that lead to fulfilling lives and flourishing communities. We work hand in hand with education leaders and organizations to accelerate their impact, inform and influence policy and program design, and share what we learn along the way.

Role Pathway Overview

Bellwether is hiring three Texas-based instructional leaders to participate in a required, paid contractor training connected to our work as an implementation partner for LIFT, a statewide initiative in Texas designed to strengthen instructional leadership, support high-quality instructional materials (HQIM), and build educator and leader capacity.

This opportunity follows a three-stage pathway:

Stage 1: Paid Contractor Training (January-February 2026)

Required for all candidates.

Stage 2: Short-Term Contract Work (February-May 2026)

Available to trained contractors based on project needs.

Stage 3: Potential Full-Time Hire (May 2026)

Contractors will be invited to a shortened interview process for one full-time Senior Consultant (LIFT Coach) role.

Completion of training is required to be eligible for contract work or full-time consideration but does not guarantee full-time employment.

What You’re Applying For Now

Applicants are applying to be considered for a paid contractor training cohort. Contractors who successfully complete training may be eligible for short-term contract work supporting Bellwether and for consideration for a full-time Senior Consultant role beginning in May 2026, contingent on Bellwether being identified as a preferred provider for a recipient of the LIFT grant work.

Required Training

All selected contractors must attend state-led virtual training in late January and February 2026.

Training Details:
- Kickoff call (2 hours) with two options
  - Jan. 28 at 2 p.m. ET
  - Jan. 29 at 10 a.m. ET
- Three-day series from 10 a.m. ET to 4:30 p.m. ET (19.5 hours total) with two options:
  - Feb. 2, 3, 4
  - Feb. 9, 10, 11
Training is paid at a flat rate of $2,200.
Completion of training is required to be eligible for contract work or full-time consideration.
Completion of training does not guarantee additional work or employment.

About the Role (LIFT Coaching Work)

As a LIFT Coach, you will work primarily (80%-90%) with Texas districts and schools participating in LIFT, supporting district- and campus-level instructional leadership structures. This may include serving in a District Coach capacity, coordinating and coaching Campus Coaches, and supporting district leaders as they implement instructional leadership systems and HQIM.

This role combines the strategic, analytical, and project leadership skills expected of a Senior Consultant with the job-embedded coaching responsibilities of a LIFT District Coach. You will work directly with district and campus leaders — including principal managers, principals, assistant principals, instructional coaches, and teachers — to strengthen curriculum use, improve instructional practices, and build sustainable systems that support rigorous, grade-level learning for all students.

Candidates with expertise in English language arts and/or mathematics are encouraged to apply. ELA expertise is preferred to complement the existing team. Prior certification as a Bluebonnet Math and/or ELA Product Advisor is highly preferred.

What You’ll Do (For Full-Time Role)

Assess School Context and Identify Priorities

Conduct diagnostic reviews of instructional practices, coaching systems, and leader capacity at both the district and campus levels.
Identify priority areas aligned to HQIM, district vision, and LIFT goals, including opportunities for districtwide alignment and coherence.
Partner closely with district leaders and, where applicable, Campus Coaches to align district- and campus-level strategies.
Ground current state analysis in understanding the needs of students — especially those who have historically had the least access to strong instruction — to ensure all learners are supported.

Support Strategic Planning and Change Management

Work with district and/or campus leaders to develop actionable plans for HQIM implementation, coaching, and instructional improvement, including designing multi-year change efforts and progress-monitoring routines at the district level.
Support leaders in establishing routines and systems that promote consistency, adult ownership, and sustainable improvement.
Translate instructional expectations into clear, measurable coaching goals and action steps for district and campus leaders, ensuring alignment across schools.

Build Capacity Through Job-Embedded Coaching and Professional Learning

Deliver or co-deliver professional development aligned to adult learning principles.
Model curriculum internalization routines, including PLCs that strengthen teacher preparation and HQIM use.
Model facilitation of learning with the curriculum.
Lead observation and feedback cycles with district and campus leaders, providing actionable feedback and supporting them to develop measurable action steps.
Coach district and campus leaders to implement systems that strengthen instructional culture, support strong learning environments, and ensure all students have access to grade-level learning.
Coordinate with district leaders, Campus Coaches, and LIFT Leads to ensure coherent implementation across district and campus efforts, and when needed, support or coach Campus Coaches to strengthen their practice.

Monitor Progress and Adjust Supports

Support district and campus leaders in using student work, observation data, and implementation indicators to track progress at the classroom, school, and district levels.
Engage in improvement conversations to refine coaching plans and instructional priorities.
Identify trends across partner districts and campuses and provide insights that strengthen overall project implementation and districtwide coherence.

Contribute to Bellwether’s Broader Work

Be willing and able to support other Bellwether projects.
Develop high-impact deliverables such as training materials, memos, and implementation plans.
Conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis to inform project insights and decision-making.
Collaborate across Bellwether’s portfolios to strengthen internal learning and shared tools.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Texas residency (Candidates located in San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, or Houston are strongly preferred due to travel to campus partners.)
Availability for required January-February training
Openness to short-term contract work (February-May 2026)
Openness and availability to transition to a full-time role in May 2026, if selected
At least 7 years of pre-K through 12th experience, including at least:
- 5+ years of teaching and
- 3+ years of campus leadership (principal, AP, instructional coach, dean, or similar)
Deep understanding of HQIM design principles, embedded scaffolds, and the conditions required for rigorous, grade-level instruction
Demonstrated experience delivering observation and feedback cycles, curriculum internalization, and professional learning
Experience planning and facilitating adult learning that incorporates collaboration, active practice, and real-world application
Experience coaching or supporting district-level leaders, managing instructional leaders, or coordinating implementation across multiple campuses preferred
Expertise in either English language arts or mathematics (or both)

Project Leadership

Ability to manage and execute project workstreams, synthesize complex information, and produce high-quality deliverables
Strong communication skills, including the ability to produce high-impact written materials and facilitate productive leader conversations

Interpersonal Skills and Stakeholder Engagement

Ability to build strong relationships across positional levels and backgrounds
Commitment to ensuring that all students, including those who have historically had the least access to quality instruction, are supported to meet high expectations
Reflective practice and willingness to examine how assumptions or approaches may influence leader support and student learning

Compensation (Contractor)

Contractor Compensation (Training and Short-Term Contract)

$2,200 flat fee for training
$98/hour for contract work (February-May)
- Contractors will submit invoices biweekly.
- W-9 required.

Compensation (If Selected for Full-Time Role)

The base salary range for this role for an incoming team member is $130,500-$150,000 annually, with eligibility for an annual performance bonus targeted at $7,500, based on individual and organizational success. While the final offer amount will be determined by multiple factors — including previous experience and content knowledge — and may vary from the listed range, Bellwether is committed to transparency, and all offers are aligned with our compensation philosophy.

Bellwether provides an attractive benefits package that includes a performance bonus based on individual and organizational success, health care coverage, and a 401(k) plan with an employer-matching contribution policy.

To Apply

Use your application materials to show us how you have the skills we listed or why the skills you have are the ones we need. Please submit the following:

Letter of interest
Resume
Two letters of recommendation from your prior coachee clients (teachers, school or network leaders, etc.) highlighting your instructional expertise and coaching results
1. May be submitted in advance with application materials or during the Initial Interview phase (if selected)

Please address your application materials to Anson Jackson and Emily Shisler. This role has a priority application deadline of Jan. 5, 2026.

Interview Process Timeline:

Priority Deadline: Jan. 5, 2026
Phone Screen: Week of Jan. 12
Initial Interview: Week of Jan. 19
Selection: Jan. 23
Training Begins: Jan. 28 or Jan. 29

Note: Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

Use of AI in Hiring
Our team may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of our hiring process—such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, summarizing interviews, or assessing responses. These tools help our teams work efficiently, but they never replace human judgment. Every hiring decision is ultimately made by our team. If you have questions about how we process candidate data, please reach out to us.

Bellwether is committed to providing equal opportunities. It is our policy to ensure that all individuals with whom we are in contact are not discriminated against based on age, race, ethnicity, color, disability, gender identity, gender expression, political viewpoint, marital status, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Further, as described above, Bellwether is committed to building a diverse team and strongly encourages individuals from all backgrounds to apply.

Original Job Description