What are the responsibilities and job description for the K-12 Literacy Coordinator and Instructional Leader position at McLean School?
McLean School, a K-12 co-educational independent school in Potomac, Maryland, seeks applicants for the full-time K-12 Literacy Coordinator and Instructional Leader
to begin August 2025.
Changing the lives of students and families, McLean School is Washington, DC’s most comprehensive and academically rigorous full-scope college-preparatory program for bright, college-bound students, including those with dyslexia, academic anxiety, ADHD, and executive functioning challenges. For 70 years, the School has helped students realize their full potential with a curriculum that is traditional without being rigid, challenging without being intimidating, and designed with the real world in mind.
The K-12 Literacy Coordinator and Instructional Leader will oversee the School’s reading program, including
- communicating with parents and teachers about student strengths and challenges,
- coaching teachers in effective reading instruction and best practices via new research,
- developing professional development for teachers,
- leading the school’s assessment program, and
- generating curriculum to support dynamic, engaging, and effective reading instruction for all K-12 students.
Over the past two years, McLean has become a leading institution for dyslexic students. By the end of grade 8, nearly 80% of McLean students read at or above grade level.
Job Responsibilities
- In coordination with the Lower and Middle School Reading Specialists and the Coordinators of Learning Services in all three divisions, provide school-wide vision for the Reading Program and leadership that serves the instructional needs of all students, including students with dyslexia and other language-based learning challenges.
- Observe implementation and current practices and make recommendations to the Division Heads and Head of School as to which practices should be continued, expanded, modified, added, or deleted.
- Regularly update K-12 scope and sequence of research-based reading skills and ensure they are embedded in Literature curriculum.
- Serve as an ambassador to the external and internal communities in the area of best practices for teaching reading.
- Propose, and where appropriate lead, All-School and/or Division-Specific Professional Development to share research findings and new ideas with faculty.
- Participate in Open House events as the K-12 Literacy Coordinator and Instructional Leader to highlight our Reading Program to prospective parents.
- Observe, collaborate, and mentor faculty to support teaching of reading.
- Teach academic classes or work with students to offer strategies to improve reading skills.
- Ensure administration of required K-8 screeners and diagnostics.
- Communicate results of benchmark and progress monitoring assessments with parents; work with parents and teachers to design instruction that supports students in meeting or exceeding benchmarks.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge of differentiated materials, curriculum, and instruction emphasizing literacy instruction in K-12 along with assessment strategies.
- Knowledge of unique student populations such as students with anxiety, ADHD, executive functioning challenges, and dyslexia.
- Experience in and knowledge of equity principles and cultural competencies
- Knowledge of effective instruction to support a teacher's ability to analyze, communicate, model, and assess elements of the teaching process.
- Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with parents.
- Ability to establish and maintain trustful, confidential, and supportive relationships with teachers to help develop them as professionals.
- Knowledge of adult learning needs and processes and how to use coaching cycles to maximize growth.
- Excellent interpersonal skills; excellent oral and written communication skills.
Qualifications
- Has taken or is willing to participate in literacy professional development, such as Orton-Gillingham, Comprehension Blueprint, and The Writing Revolution
- A minimum of 5 years of classroom experience
Salary Range: $80,000-$100,000 depending on experience
McLean School is an equal-opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants
for employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age,
sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, family responsibilities, disability,
genetic status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. If you need a
reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the recruitment process, please
contact Director of Executive Support and Recruitment, Robin Speller.
Interested applicants should fill out an online Application, and upload their Cover Letter, and Résumé.
Salary : $80,000 - $100,000
