Literacy Specialist - YES Prep White Oak Secondary (Immediate Opening)

About the role

The Literacy Specialist plays a crucial role in setting clear expectations and standards for excellent literacy instruction in all content areas, ensuring students receive outstanding instruction in reading intervention classes, and providing appropriate accommodations to emergent bilingual and dyslexic students.

Responsibilities

• Setting clear expectations and standards for excellent literacy instruction in all content areas, along with the Principal and/or Director of Academics;
• Ensuring that students receive outstanding instruction in reading intervention classes by observing and coaching a cohort of reading intervention teachers;
• Ensuring that Emergent Bilingual students, (EBs), non-fluent, and dyslexic students are receiving appropriate accommodations in all classrooms by observing and coaching content teachers and collaborating with instructional leadership;
• Tracking progress monitoring of reading intervention teachers and grades of EBs and dyslexic students and use this data to drive coaching;
• Working with district Instructional Coaches to provide targeted support to first- and second-year teachers;
• Working with Home Office leadership on system-wide instructional initiatives;
• Directing campus’ EB and dyslexia programs to ensure the academic success of these students and maintain compliance with state and federal law;
• Coordinating and directing testing for special populations, including MAP and R-CBM benchmarks, Language Assessment System (LAS) and TELPAS, and dyslexia screenings throughout the year;
• Overseeing the EB compliance work completed by a campus clerk, registrar, or office coordinator;
• Ensuring that EB and dyslexic students receive all appropriate accommodations on high-stakes testing, including STAAR and Common Assessments, and assist in applying for accommodations for dyslexic students taking College Board exams;
• Providing one-on-one or small group literacy instruction to dyslexic students needing Level-2 services (this service is in addition to a regularly scheduled reading intervention class);
• Providing one-on-one or small group interventions in spoken English (beginning EBs), writing or handwriting, or additional time in intervention;
• Assisting in the planning and delivery of professional learning opportunities to campus teachers and staff during beginning of year, as well as selecting professional development days throughout the school year;
• Providing leadership in identifying and acquiring appropriate teaching materials, textbooks, and equipment;
• Teaching a recommended number of two periods of reading intervention per day or serve as a Dean of Instruction for a recommended number of four Reading Intervention teachers;
• Additional duties as assigned.

Requirements

• MUST HAVES:
• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year educational institution
• A Valid Texas Teaching Certificate, with ESL or Bilingual certification
• 3 years of literacy teaching in the classroom
• Belief in and commitment to the mission and core value of YES Prep Public Schools
• Openness to giving and receiving frequent feedback
• Ability to maintain emotional control under stress
• Ability to work urgently in a fast-paced and results-oriented environment
• Ability to juggle multiple tasks and initiatives at once
• Demonstrated ability to work on a team
• A dedication to learn, grow, and develop as a professional
• NICE TO HAVES:
• Teaching experience in the classroom related to Literacy (English, ELA, Reading Intervention, Dyslexia teacher, ESL teacher, etc)
• Master’s Degree in Dyslexia, Education, Reading, Special Education, or a related field
• 2 years of teaching direct instruction
• Familiarity with assessments central to this role – TELPAS, Language Assessment System (Las Links), and MAP

Qualifications

• Belief in and commitment to the mission and core values of YES Prep Public Schools
• Desire to disrupt systemic status quos in education
• Willingness to go above and beyond to disrupt said status quos
• Passion to develop resiliency through a relentless pursuit of jaw-dropping results
• Conviction that high expectations + high accountability = high performance and high growth

Skills

• Strong instructional skills
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities
• Proficiency in using assessment tools such as TELPAS, Language Assessment System (Las Links), and MAP
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively
• Experience with dyslexia and emergent bilingual education
• Knowledge of special education laws and regulations

Benefits

Comprehensive health and supplemental insurance plans, retirement plans, paid time off, and professional development opportunities are provided.

Pay

$65,264 annually

Schedule

11-month start date, 26-27 School Year