2025/2026 Anticipated PK-3 Early Literacy Specialist, Durango School District 9-R, 1.0 FTE

Durango School District 9-R is accepting applications for an anticipated position (dependent on funding); PK-3 Early Literacy Specialist under the Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Department, for the 2025/2026 school year. Existing Durango School District 9-R 183 Day Licensed Staff hired into this position will be placed on the Cell they currently reside on times 1.05 index plus an additional 10 days for the total salary, per the Licensed Compensation System guidelines. New hires to the District will be placed within the range below.

This position is contingent upon receiving grant funding for the position. Begins August 2025.

Job Title: Early Literacy Specialist

Pay Grade: Licensed Compensation System

Job Family: Licensed

FLSA Status: Exempt

Department: Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

Prepared Date: April 1, 2022; revised February 13, 2025

Typical Work Year: 193 days

SUMMARY: The Early Literacy Specialist will support PK-3rd grade teachers in successful delivery of Durango School District’s early literacy program. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of early literacy development, as informed by the Science of Reading and the most recent research. The Specialist will work directly with coaches, teachers, and leaders across schools to provide classroom demonstrations and professional development in explicit, systematic early literacy instruction, aligned to the IMSE Orton-Gillingham approach.. The specialist will monitor student results across the system and collaborate with stakeholders to improve student outcomes. The goal of the specialist is to ensure equitable early reading outcomes, with the target of no less than 90% student proficiency by the end of grade 3. The Early Literacy Specialist is not a supervisory position.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Collaborate with multiple stakeholders to support high levels of student proficiency by the end of grade 3
• Provide professional development to teachers, coaches and administrators on district supported early literacy resources, including but not limited to: Heggerty Phonological Awareness, IMSE OG , IMSE OG Morphology, & DIBELS 8
• Develop, in collaboration with Preschool Director, a comprehensive approach to implement rigorous, developmental literacy skills in all district preschool classrooms
• Evaluate the effectiveness of early literacy curricular resources, scope & sequences, and pacing based on student assessment results
• Develop and share research-based approaches to support Tier 1 differentiated literacy instruction across school sites
• Model research-based instructional approaches and collaborate with teachers and coaches to determine those approaches that best meet the students’ needs.
• Serve as a resource to literacy educators, coaches, and leaders
• Willingness to earn additional IMSE OG credentials/certifications or current IMSE OG Master Instructor
• Participate fully in professional development for specialists, including peer observations, professional research and reading, and inquiry sessions.

ADDITIONAL JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Demonstrate faithfulness and promptness in attendance at work.
• Submit required reports promptly at the times specified.
• Demonstrate care of and protection of School District property
• Report suspected child abuse or neglect as required by law.
• Use the District’s internet and E-mail system as specified in Policy.
• Fulfill other duties as assigned by the Director, Superintendent or their designees.
• Models continual improvement, demonstrates lifelong learning, and applies new learning to help all students achieve.
• Demonstrates evidence of professional growth, including leadership and participation in a wide range of significant professional development activities.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING:

Minimum: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university & met CDE requirements for K-3 Teachers of Reading by start date.

Preferred: MA in Education and/or training in Literacy.

EXPERIENCE:

Preferred: 3 years of successful teaching experience in PK-3 Early Literacy.

Experience in teacher leadership and/or coaching methods.

Experience implementing standards-driven instructional practices and curriculum resources.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, & REGISTRATIONS

Valid driver’s license required. Colorado Teaching License & CDE K-3 Teacher of Reading designation required by start of position.

TECHNICAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, & ABILITIES:

• Excellent interpersonal relations and oral and written communication skills.
• Strong decision making, analytical and organizational skills.
• Ability to work with teachers with diverse needs in various contexts.
• Ability to develop and implement lessons and programming that lead to student success in meeting the graduation standards.
• Ability to lead others.
• Critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in all aspects of the job.
• Ability to promote and follow Board and District policies, Superintendent policies and building/department procedures.
• Ability to communicate, interact and work effectively and cooperatively in a team setting
• Ability to recognize the importance of safety in the workplace, follow safety rules, practice safe work habits, utilize appropriate safety equipment and report unsafe conditions to the appropriate administrator.
• Ability to utilize formative and summative assessments to assess student learning.

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT OPERATING KNOWLEDGE:

• Computers and general office equipment.
• Online assessment platforms
• Microsoft Office & Google applications.
• Student Information Systems.
• Presentation tools.

Durango School District 9-R is an equal opportunity educational institution and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability or need for special education services in admissions, access to treatment, or employment in educational programs or activities which it operates, or any other applicable status protected by federal, state or local law. For information regarding civil rights or grievance procedures, contact Laura Galido, Compliance Officer, Durango School District 9-R, 201 E 12th Street, Durango, CO 81301, (970) 247-5411, lgalido@durangoschools.org, or the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 1244 Spear Boulevard, Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204-3582, (303) 844-5695.