District-wide Literacy Specialist

Salary Range: Per Contract

Contract Length: Teacher with Extended Contract

Immediate Supervisor: Director of Curriculum & Literacy

Basic Function: The role of the literacy specialist will be to act as a catalyst for successful implementation of the SBCSC literacy framework in K-12 instructional settings. The specialist will provide job-embedded professional learning opportunities for all teachers through the district’s instructional coaching cycle. The specialist will use data as the primary driver for change and collaborate with building leaders and departments to ensure cohesive momentum in achieving the district’s strategic goals, specifically goal #1, in academic excellence.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Coach and provide job-embedded professional learning to classroom teachers and other instructional support personnel
2. Analyze instructional data including walkthrough, student work, and assessment data to effectively plan support structures for teachers
3. Collaborate with district coordinators on researching best practices in the area of literacy 4. Develop collaborative relationships with building administrators to effectively support individual building school improvement planning
4. Implement effective research and/or evidence based strategies to improve literacy instruction across all content areas
5. Model for teachers as appropriate to support the coaching process
6. Co-teach, model, conduct small group instruction with students, and deliver effective professional learning in order to meet the needs of student and adult learners 8. Possess a deep understanding of the Indiana Academic Standards at multiple grade levels, protocols for standards analysis, and unpacking
7. Ability to develop and deliver effective formative and summative assessment measures 10. Provide leadership in helping teachers create a literacy-rich environment that supports language and literacy learning for all students across disciplines, media, modalities, and are able to do this in practice
8. Ensure that teachers understand the value of using the literacy curriculum and engage in instructional practices that positively impact students’ knowledge, beliefs, and engagement with the features of diversity
9. Prepare teachers to develop curricula that stress the role of writing in students’ lives and overall literacy learning in and outside of school with providing opportunities for students to compose for a wide array of audiences and purposes in multiple genres, modes, and media.
10. Support teachers in the assessment, identification, and intervention for students with reading difficulties
11. Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief Academic Officer

Qualifications:

Incumbent must hold a valid certification in elementary education, secondary specific content area, and reading specialist endorsement preferred. Possess strong planning, listening, organizational, supervisory, analytical, problem-solving, computer, accountability, multi-tasking, flexibility, resourcefulness, and oral and written communications skills. Incumbent must possess knowledge of the comprehensive organization, operations, policies, and objectives of assigned department or area. Self-motivation and team oriented approach is mandatory for this position.

Preferred Qualifications:

A Master's Degree with a focus on literacy instruction as well as certification in grades K-12.

Physical Demands:

Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office; dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, other technologies, and office equipment; sitting, standing, and walking for extended periods of time; kneeling or bending at the waist; lifting; pushing; pulling, and carrying equipment, supplies, and materials weighing up to 25 pounds; repetitive hand movement and fine coordination to use a computer keyboard; emotional stability to work effectively under pressure and to keep all aspects of the job under control; hearing and speaking to exchange information in person or on the telephone; seeing to read; prepare and assure the accuracy of documents.