Literacy Specialist

About the role

Wissahickon Charter School is seeking a Literacy Specialist for our Awbury campus for the 2026-27 school year. The Literacy Specialist is responsible for supporting students in 3rd-8th grades who are in need of additional literacy intervention. Literacy Specialists are also expected to communicate regularly with teachers and parents about those students' growth.

Responsibilities

• Direct student support (50-80%, based on needs): Use research-based best practices to provide small group and individualized literacy support to students in need of intervention; adjust small groups and individualized instruction based on progress monitoring data; communicate students' progress toward reading and writing goals with parents and establish and maintain relationships with families through updates and opportunities for involvement (as needed); collaborate with supervisor and classroom teachers to determine which students will receive literacy support, and work to create a schedule aligned to students' needs & classroom schedules
• Data monitoring (10%): Support the administration of literacy screeners; administer progress monitoring assessments to all students receiving literacy intervention; monitor student performance on internal assessments; maintain frequent communication with administrators and lead teachers regarding data on student growth in reading and writing
• Staff professional development and teacher coaching (10-30%): Work with supervisor and teachers to support the implementation of WCS' literacy program; coach teachers in literacy; model literacy instruction for teachers in their classrooms; support the coordination of school-wide literacy-related activities, such as spontaneous celebrations, competitions, literacy nights and other initiatives that generate excitement about literacy in students & families
• General expectations: Consistently implement WCS' student management practices; exemplify WCS' CARES values in all interactions with students, families and colleagues; seek out and be receptive to feedback from the supervisor and peers; stay current on professional resources; disseminate resources to individuals and groups; help facilitate conversations re: resources; participate in all professional development, team planning and data analysis meetings; assume other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred
• 4 or more years of experience teaching literacy (in the 3rd-8th grade range preferred)
• Prior experience coaching or mentoring teachers in literacy and/or leading grade band or school-wide literacy work
• Reading Specialist certification in Pennsylvania preferred
• Teaching experience in an urban setting; preference for individuals with experience teaching grades across a range of grade levels
• Knowledge of current literacy curricula and familiarity with the science of reading
• In-depth understanding of literacy teaching best practices
• Experience assessing student progress toward achievement of benchmarks
• Strong instructional and management skills, with a record of increasing student growth in literacy
• Receptiveness to feedback, positive attitude, and a desire to continuously improve
• Flexible and able to adjust instructional strategies in order to reach goals
• High level of personal organization, planning, and follow-through
• Strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to effectively communicate with students, families, supervisors and colleagues
• Collaborative work style
• Belief in Wissahickon Charter Schools' mission and environmental education model