Comprehensive Literacy State Development Early Literacy Specialist, RPDC, UMKC School of Education, Social Work, and Psychological Sciences

About the role

The RPDC Comprehensive Literacy State Development Early Literacy Specialist supports birth through 5-year-old educators in developing knowledge of and implementing evidence-based early literacy instruction. They provide educators, families, and communities at CLSD selected schools and programs with support to assist in the development and implementation of effective instructional methods, assessments, and/or activities related to improving and advancing early language and literacy skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide job-embedded, continuous professional development to CLSD early childhood selected schools and programs through coaching cycles and professional learning aligned with evidence-based early literacy instruction.
• Support classroom teachers on classroom implementation of the EC LETRS professional development course and/or instruction aligned with the science of reading.
• Coordinate with existing partnerships and/or develop new partnerships to establish sustainable family and community literacy experiences.
• Participate in all grant activities with CLSD selected schools and programs.
• Collaborate with other early childhood specialists and literacy coaches within and across regions.
• Assist DESE CLSD team with the collection of data for statewide analysis and the creation of supporting resources.
• Attend and actively participate in statewide monthly resource, support, and training meetings.
• Support CLSD schools and programs with technical assistance and grant activities.
• Aid in improving literacy outcomes of students by assisting early childhood schools and programs in implementing effective, evidenced-based instructional practices and strategies.
• Establish consistent communication with designated CLSD early childhood selected school or program.
• Attend and participate in any conference as requested by the DESE CLSD team.
• Host family literacy learning events and provide learning opportunities and build reciprocal literacy partnerships with families.
• Collaborate and support, as a liaison, to establish sustainable family and community literacy partnerships for student early language and literacy learning experiences.
• Collaborate with other initiatives and interagency work of the RPDCs and DESE to provide support CLSD selected schools and programs.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 3 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

Specialized Certification

• Early Childhood teaching certificate (Birth/Pre-Kindergarten – Third Grade)
• Early Childhood Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (EC LETRS) Training

Skills

• Ability to express complex ideas to a variety of audiences clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
• Ability to manage diverse activities and meet established deadlines.
• Ability to establish and maintain rapport and effective working relationships with department staff, local school LEA personnel, families, and community programs.
• Ability to analyze complex preschool and prekindergarten educational problems and develop feasible solutions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in education or related field.
• Education Specialist or PhD/EdD degree preferred.
• Five (5) years’ experience as a teacher and/or administrator.
• Expertise and/or significant leadership experience implementing instructional best practice resulting in improved student learning outcomes.
• Demonstrated commitment to and experience in serving students with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, goals, and abilities in alignment with the School of Education’s mission, vision, values, and priorities.
• Proficiency in word processing applications (i.e., Google Docs, Moodle, BrightSpace, Microsoft Office Suite, Apple systems).
• Excellent written, verbal and organizational skills.
• Able to relate to various education skills that encompass a preK-12 school system.
• Able to conduct regional and in-state travel (travel expenses will be reimbursed).