"You don't lecture for 50 minutes. You show up when a student is actually stuck."
ISP's academic model is mastery-based: students learn through personalized AI-driven lessons, prove they understand the material, and move on. No seat time. No bell schedules. No teaching to the middle.
But sometimes a student hits a wall — a concept that just won't click, a gap from a previous year, a moment where technology needs a human touch. That's when you step in.
You're not a traditional teacher. You're more like a specialist — called in for targeted intervention when a student needs expert human guidance. The research calls this the "inner loop" of adaptive tutoring (Koedinger & Corbett): the AI handles the routine, and the human handles the moments that matter most.
When an SSC identifies a student struggling with a specific concept, they loop you in. You provide focused, 1:1 or small-group instruction on exactly what the student needs — not a full lesson plan, but precision support. Think of it like a specialist, not a generalist.
You're the depth behind ISP's breadth. Whether it's helping a student understand quadratic equations, break down a primary source document, or grasp cellular respiration — you're the expert they need, exactly when they need you.
SSCs are the relationship layer. You're the academic layer. Together, you ensure no student falls through the cracks. SSCs flag students who need extra help; you deliver it. Clean handoffs, shared context, unified support.
Your goal isn't to become a crutch. It's to get the student past the roadblock and back to independent learning as fast as possible. Teach them the concept AND the metacognitive skill of how to approach similar problems on their own. The goal of education is to develop autotelics — people who can learn anything, forever.
When you notice patterns — the same concept trips up multiple students, a lesson isn't clear, an assessment doesn't match the instruction — you flag it. Your frontline experience improves the system for every future student.
Licensed teachers who want more impact with less bureaucracy
Tutors or academic coaches with proven track records of improving student outcomes
Special education specialists experienced in differentiated instruction and targeted intervention
Subject-matter experts with teaching experience in math, science, ELA, or social studies
Educators who've worked in mastery-based, competency-based, or Montessori environments
Retired teachers who miss the teaching part but not the bureaucracy part
Hiring 2-3 founding Learning Coaches before launch (summer 2026). Additional coaches hired as enrollment grows at a 1:500 student ratio.
Send an email with your background, your Iowa BOEE license status, and what made you fall in love with teaching (and what made you frustrated with the system). Include subjects you're strongest in.
A video call where we talk about how you approach a student who's stuck — not your resume, but your instincts. How do you explain something three different ways? How do you know when to push vs. when to step back?
Teach us something for 15 minutes — a concept you love explaining. We'll play the role of a confused student. This isn't about polish; it's about whether you can meet a learner where they are and get them unstuck.
Chat with the SSC team you'll be collaborating with. Learning Coaches and SSCs work hand-in-hand — the SSC flags the student, you deliver the academic support. We want to make sure the partnership feels right.
Step 1 is just an email. Tell us who you are, why ISP excites you, and what you'd bring. No cover letter template. Just be real.