Literacy Specialist-Middle School

Department:

Teaching and Learning

Job Title:

Literacy Specialist

FLSA Status:

(Exempt/Non-exempt)

Exempt, Unit A

Reports to:

Director for English Language Arts PK-12

GENERAL DESCRIPTION (1-3 LINES DESCRIBING ROLE):

The literacy specialist is responsible for helping every child in the school develop strong reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. A Literacy Specialist provides and leads literacy instruction and assessment through coaching, providing student instruction and intervention, and coordinating assessment and tiered support services.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

• K-12 Reading Specialist License and valid Massachusetts teaching license, with SEI endorsement or additional license in ESL
• Master's Degree in Education with a concentration in Literacy/Reading
• Three or more years of recent experience teaching at the middle school level
• Current knowledge of research and effective practices in the areas of literacy development, literacy instruction, assessment, and professional development
• Excellent interpersonal skills and flexible, responsive work style

Desired Qualifications:

*

• Familiarity and experience with
• Curriculum implementation and support
• EL Education literacy program.
• UFLI Foundations curriculum and Wilson Fundations curriculum
• a variety of literacy assessments and interventions.
• administering, analyzing, and forming groups using literacy diagnostic assessment
• Coaching experience
• Experience supporting teachers in shifting from a Balanced Literacy model to a Knowledge Building curriculum.
• Experience collaborating and problem-solving with teachers.
• Experience and coursework in anti-racist, anti-bias instruction.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES (NOT LIMITED TO):

• Provide leadership and support for the implementation of the district literacy curriculum.
• Provide professional development to teachers and paraprofessionals related to literacy programs and instructional practices, through trainings, workshops, in-class modeling, and advising.
• Support Newton's curriculum and professional development by modeling best practices, coaching teachers, and encouraging reflective practice
• Participate in grade-level meetings (i.e. PLCs, GLDs) regularly to facilitate instructional conversations and activities, regularly reflecting on a wide range of qualitative and quantitative student data points.
• Serve as a resource in the area of reading and writing for paraprofessionals, teachers, administrators, and the community.
• Work cooperatively and collaboratively with other professionals in planning instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners
• Provide and support literacy assessment and data analysis
• Provide direct instruction and intervention to struggling readers
• Regularly attend professional learning communities and professional learning with other literacy specialists
• Coordinate Tier I and Tier II literacy support
• Support literacy instruction and intervention during WIN blocks and small group instructional times; demonstrate flexibility to address broader academic needs that may emerge occasionally through ongoing student assessment and team collaboration.
• Consistent and on-time attendance to the job-related duties as required

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Work Environment:

Majority of work is performed in a school/classroom environment. The noise level in the environment is usually moderate. Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function. Rarely absent or late unless the situation is of an emergency nature.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job the teacher is frequently required to kneel, stoop, bend, and crouch. The teacher is periodically required to stand; while talking and listening. The teacher is occasionally required to sit; walk; lift; or carry.