About the Core Knowledge Coordinator Position
Why do we need a Core Knowledge Coordinator?
The main objective of the Core Knowledge coordinator is to assist the principal with the implementation of Core Knowledge on your campus.
The best professional development designs follow the theory-demonstration-practice, feedback and follow-through. On-site coaching and collaboration work well in an open, trusting climate. The Core Knowledge Coordinator should be thought of as a peer coach, a mentor, and a collaborative colleague for teachers.
Who should be chosen as the Core Knowledge Coordinator?
A Core Knowledge Coordinator is a classroom teacher who:
- Possesses a strong, broad-based knowledge of the Core Knowledge Sequence.
- Is knowledgeable of state and local requirements.
- Is enthusiastic, positive, and believes in Core Knowledge (“a cheerleader”).
- Is knowledgeable about effective teaching strategies.
- Has a background or experience in curriculum development.
- Has strong verbal and writing skills.
- Has personal characteristics that promote collaboration and team building: patient, supportive, compassionate, enthusiastic, flexible, positive attitude, generous, hardworking, dedicated. In other words, he/she is able to maintain effective working relationships with campus staff.
- Has experience serving on campus/department committees.
- Has at least three years teaching experience.
What are the responsibilities of the Core Knowledge Coordinator?
The Core Knowledge Coordinator will help the administrator with some of the following duties (as determined by the administrator and Coordinator together). The level of responsibilities will depend on whether this is an after-school, part-time, or full-time position. He/she will:
- Attend all related meetings and in-services.
- Serve as a liaison between the Core Knowledge Foundation and the school.
- Assist grade levels in implementation of the Core Knowledge Sequence
- Assist grade levels in the development of units.
- Develop storage and checkout system for grade-level instructional materials; coordinate with grade level chairs to maintain grade-level instructional materials.
- Maintain a list of materials needed to be ordered (new teacher materials, replacement of materials, additional instructional resources for future units of study to be developed, “wish lists”).
- Provide assistance to promote ongoing improvements.
- Coordinate staff development speakers.
- Provide assistance to increase parental involvement and communication.
- Coordinate school visits by parents, central office administrators, and community members. Possibly choose one day a week as “visitation” day (not Mondays or Fridays).
- Organize Core Knowledge activities/events for the grade level or entire school.
- Provide assistance and training for new teachers to sustain implementation.
- Provide support for the staff for their efforts.
Note: A Core Knowledge Coordinator does not need to do all these things alone, but he/she will help ensure that all these things happen. We encourage schools to choose a classroom teacher for this position; the Core Knowledge Coordinator needs to work with the administrator to choose priorities upon which to focus.
There are several possible ways to design the Coordinator position…
- Core Knowledge Coordinator
- One faculty member
- Part-time position
- No additional funding necessary (perhaps give comp time, substitute days, or additional planning time)
- Co-Core Knowledge Coordinators
- A primary and an intermediate faculty member
- Part-time position
- No additional funding necessary (perhaps give comp time, substitute days, or additional planning time)
- Core Knowledge Facilitator
- One faculty member
- Full-time position
- Additional funding is necessary
- Core Knowledge Committee
- One teacher per grade level, plus a special area representative
- One member is the chair
- Part-Time position
- No additional funding is necessary
Contact , Director of K–8 Professional Development, for information about upcoming Core Knowledge Coordinator Institutes.
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Last updated: Fri, May 23 2008
