Literacy Program Specialist - 26/27 SY

About the role

The Foundational Literacy Coach assists teachers in implementing and delivering scientifically based reading instruction, focusing on Tier 1/Core. Coaches provide services to their assigned school to support educators in building capacity for effective literacy instruction.

Responsibilities

• Provide information and training to teachers in various settings
• Model and co-teach instructional strategies and techniques
• Observe teachers in the classroom to provide specific feedback on evidence-based practices
• Assist in planning and implementing a literacy block with an emphasis on phonemic awareness, phonics, comprehension, vocabulary, fluency, oral and written language
• Support teachers in deepening their understanding of content knowledge, evidence-based reading strategies, and assessment
• Maintain records related to coaching cycles, professional development, and data related to early literacy screening
• Meet with school administration and leadership team to examine data and assist in planning literacy professional learning opportunities
• Engage in reading data conversations with teachers and assist in goal setting, data/evidence collection, and analysis
• Support teachers' collaborative work to plan reading lessons, small group differentiation, and interventions
• Align efforts with the school's mission, vision, and literacy plan
• Network with other literacy coaches and stay informed of latest reading research
• Build trusting and respectful relationships and maintain ethical behavior and confidentiality
• Recognize and celebrate teacher accomplishments

Requirements

• Master's Degree in Education or related field with 3 years of successful experience teaching reading
• Bachelor's Degree in Education or related field with 5 years of successful experience teaching reading and a minimum of 3 years of literacy experience at the State, District/Charter, or School Level
• Valid Arizona Teaching Certificate with a Reading Endorsement or K-5 Literacy Endorsement

Qualifications

• Evidence-based research in reading, writing, listening, speaking, and language
• Essential components of reading instruction and science of reading and structured literacy
• AZ ELA Standards and AZ English Language Proficiency Standards
• Literacy assessment systems, practices, and types
• Effective strategies in working with adult learners
• Knowledge of EL curriculum
• Experience in literacy instruction, literacy intervention, and development of instructional resources
• Scientific reading research and its application to classroom instruction, structure, and practices
• MTSS model, data analysis, and application

Skills

• Systematic, explicit instructional delivery
• Experience providing professional development and technical assistance to school and district/charter staff
• Ability to administer and interpret reading assessments and use data to determine professional development needs and recommend changes
• Effective written and oral communication skills, including the ability to engage in difficult and candid conversations with a variety of stakeholders
• Demonstrated leadership/managerial skills, team building skills, and collaboration and facilitation skills

Physical Requirements

• Frequent sitting, standing, bending, repetitive motion, vision to monitor, and lifting up to 15 pounds