Coordinator of Reading, Literacy, and English Language Arts (Prek-12)

Reports To: Assistant Superintendent of School Network Support Services

FLSA Status: Exempt

Classification: Licensed

Amount of Travel: Minimal

Job Status: Full-Time

Level: District Support

Work Schedule: 245 Days

Date Created: March 2025

Salary Range: $62,900.53 to $103,464.79

Position Summary:

The North Little Rock School District (NLRSD) is seeking exceptional applications for the leadership position of Coordinator of Reading, Literacy, and English Language Arts (Prek-12). The role leads, coordinates, engages, and provides support and coaching to school-based Network Instructional Specialists in all areas of Reading, Literacy, and English Language Arts across the district through a distributed leadership model. This newly reorganized role is to serve as the content expert and liaison between district curricular leadership and school-based leadership to improve communication and the alignment of literacy initiatives. The position is responsible for coordinating and supervising the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of a comprehensive Reading, Literacy, and English Language Arts program that vertically aligns from Prek-12 to improve teaching and learning. Through a lens of the whole child with systems, structures, culture, and leadership, the ideal candidate provides supervision of a district-wide program with a focus on improved student performance while building the professional capacity of Network Instructional Specialists, classroom teachers, and school-based leaders. The primary work of the coordinator will ensure a high level of instructional leadership to create systems, structures, interventions, processes, and procedures to eliminate gaps in student learning through data-based decision-making and research-based best practices.

Essential Functions: The following duties are representative of performance expectations. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The Coordinator of Reading, Literacy, and English Language Arts (Prek-12) responsibilities will include, but are not limited to the following:

• Serves as the liaison and network link between the district curriculum content department and school leadership teams, including the Network Instructional Specialists to enhance communication and collaboration between schools and central office district leaders to improve teaching and learning.
• Ensures compliance with state and federal regulations related to the LEARNS Act to improve teaching and learning.
• Conducts strategic planning of the grades Prek-12 Reading, Literacy, and English Language Arts program through the use of data analysis; observes program and evaluates instructional delivery.
• Serves on or chairs committees to review, modify, develop, and/or evaluate Prek-12 Reading, Literacy, and English Language Arts programs, interventions, and resources.
• Coordinates the articulation of curriculum between grades and school levels. Ensures curriculum is aligned with the Arkansas State Standards Curriculum framework and ATLAS assessments.
• Develops and or supports the implementation of short cycle district and benchmark assessments for the Reading, Literacy, and English Language Arts program that are aligned with Arkansas's reading and literacy state standards.
• Develops or updates program and course materials; evaluates texts and materials offered by suppliers; selects materials of instruction and instructional technology and prepares specifications for purchase of materials.
• Assists in developing plans for new or modified facilities as it relates to the content area of supervision.
• Visits schools to observe and evaluate teaching methods, counsels, and assists in curricular-related issues, program planning and implementation, and assessment development.
• Works directly with Network Instructional Specialists to build capacity, share relevant information, and improve communication from central office content offices and schools.
• Demonstrates effective teaching pedagogy and techniques; demonstrates effective practices and establishes pilot programs to test materials of instruction and instructional methods.
• Maintains knowledge of current research in the area of Reading, Literacy, and English Language Arts and makes it available to professional staff.
• Plans and conducts professional development regarding Reading, Literacy, and English Language Arts programs and interventions; counsels new personnel or student teachers as needed.
• Coordinates requirements under the LEARNS Act and activities of related local, state, or federal entities with other program or subject areas.
• Interprets programs, curriculum policy, and instructional methods to stakeholders, including parents, school system personnel, and community associations.
• Develops course descriptions for new and existing course offerings. Assists in developing summer course materials as needed.
• Serves as liaison with Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Office of Reading, Literacy, and English Language Arts and other educational agencies, employers' associations, community groups, post-secondary education, and other organizations.
• Provides parents with strategies to assist students with enhancing reading and literacy competencies including support for Individual Student Reading Plans and Read at Home Plans per the LEARNS Act.
• Partners with colleagues to provide leadership and professional development for instructional staff in reading to assist them with innovative approaches for reading and integrated literacy instruction.
• Collaborates with multiple central office supports and services to design integrated strategies to target individual school needs.
• Responsible for area-specific budget; prepares required reports, analyzes budget requests; recommends allocation of grant funds according to need; prepares requests for state and federal program approval and funding; maintains files, records, and/or expenditure controls.
• Supports school-based leaders in relation to providing support to teachers, professional learning communities, curriculum and assessment writing, professional development, selecting materials of instruction, and other duties as assigned.
• Assists the Assistant Superintendent of School Network Support Services with implementing the NLRSD’s new vision, mission, moral purpose, core values, graduate profile, and five-year strategic plan aimed to create innovative schools in new or creative ways to existing instructional and administrative practices that are intended to improve academic performance and learning for all students.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies: Comprehensive knowledge of Reading, Literacy, English Language Arts curriculum, instruction, and assessment; comprehensive knowledge of school district goals and outcomes, procedures, and organization of sound assessment management for reading education. Knowledge and ability to lead and coach school-based leaders, teachers, Professional Learning Community Team Leaders, and Network Instructional Specialists on reading methods and topics, and aligned formative and summative assessments to improve teaching and learning. Ability to demonstrate strong internal and external support for the NLRSD. Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences. Excellent knowledge and understanding of all facets of curriculum management operations. Knowledge and understanding of the change process, organizational development, conflict resolution, and facilitation skills. Highly effective organizational and consensus-building skills. Knowledge and understanding of all policies and procedures of the NLRSD. Ability to conceptualize, initiate, monitor and evaluate new and/or current curricular programs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Licensed Arkansas Teacher or meets qualifications and requirements for reciprocity or is eligible to hold appropriate licensure.
• Licensed Arkansas Curriculum/Program Administrator preferred or is eligible to hold appropriate licensure.
• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in educational administration, supervision, or curriculum and instruction.
• Have a minimum of five (5) years’ successful teaching or related experience in Reading/Literacy or English Language Arts.
• Have a minimum of eight (8) years of successful job performance in education including teaching and leadership experience.
• Experience with educational accountability measures including federal educational reform efforts, and state and local standards and assessments, knowledge of systemic organizational thinking, organizational leadership, and change management.
• Experience working in a highly collaborative environment where teamwork, creative problem-solving, and self-motivation are necessary for success.
• Experience in an urban school district is preferred.

Skills and Abilities Required: The following characteristics and physical skills are important for the successful performance of assigned duties.

Curriculum Leadership Knowledge and Expertise:

• Knowledge of the Science of Reading and the reading development of children in grades Prek-12.
• Knowledge of best instructional practices for Reading, Literacy, and English Language Arts development for all students grades Prek-12.
• Knowledge of topics related to the general field of reading and literacy.
• Capable of providing leadership for a vision of comprehensive reading and literacy education.
• Knowledge of local state and federal laws/regulations as they pertain to reading and literacy programs and initiatives in Arkansas (LEARNS Act).
• Knowledge of Arkansas English Language Arts Standards and development guidelines, education theory, developmentally appropriate practices, and reading developments.
• Knowledge of supervisory fundamentals, principles, and trends.
• Knowledge of state law and district administrative policies and procedures related to reading, language arts, and integrated literacy education.
• Knowledge of procedures, practices, and methods in planning, evaluating, and designing educational programs and services for reading and literacy education.
• Knowledge of reading programs, operations, programming, and services.
• Fundamentals of public relations theories and techniques in promoting, advertising, and/or informing the public of programs, events, and activities related to Reading, Literacy, and English and Language Art education.

Work Environment:

• Work is primarily conducted in an office or school setting. Prolonged stationary work and attention to desk or computer tasks are required. This position is cognitively demanding and requires especially well-developed professional social skills and communication skills. Movement in and about schools and office buildings/grounds is a frequent requirement and the ability to carry or lift items 75 lbs. or less.

Empathy and Commitment to Cause:

• Deep commitment to improving student achievement and employee performance.
• Passionately believes that all students can achieve at high levels.
• Demonstrates cultural competence, equity, and a deep understanding of and empathy for issues facing minority and economically disadvantaged families and students requiring special services.

Problem Solving and Systems Thinking:

• Understands how various systems and departments interact to achieve district goals.
• Makes decisions using data and technology.
• Takes initiative to solve problems and create stakeholder buy-in.
• Identifies and prioritizes mission-critical issues with alignment of people, time, and resources.
• Offer innovative solutions to seemingly intractable challenges.
• Exhibits a strong focus on goals and results. Sets clear metrics for success.
• Removes barriers or obstacles that make it difficult for principals to achieve their goals and ensures that school leaders have the resources they need to succeed.
• Demonstrates excellent execution and project management skills, including attention to detail, organizational skills, ability to balance the big picture with detailed steps to reach the end goal, and ability to balance multiple projects under tight deadlines.

Leadership Skills:

• Motivates, inspires, and moves other adults to action to achieve ambitious goals.
• Skilled at re-envisioning, building, and managing a team, especially in a time of growth and change; excellent at identifying talent and taking advantage of each person’s skills and contribution to team effort.
• Builds and maintains positive relationships with individuals and groups.
• Moves groups to consensus and resolves conflicts. Exhibits willingness to have difficult conversations.
• Builds coalitions and works collaboratively with diverse stakeholders at all levels, including but not limited to district personnel, students, families, communities, and/or advocacy groups.
• Establishes clear expectations, deliverables, and deadlines.
• Sets clear agendas and facilitates effective meetings.
• Ability to train, supervise, and evaluate staff from different cultural backgrounds and skill sets.
• Exhibits transformational and servant leadership characteristics in daily work.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Performs such other tasks and assumes such other roles and responsibilities as the Assistant Superintendent of School Network Support Services assigns.