Summary

Support Staff | District Office/District Wide | Available: TBD | Closing: open until filled

Description

Duties of the Literacy Lead include the coordination and leadership of the implementation of ongoing culturally responsive PreK-12 literacy, professional learning activities, Tier 1 curriculum delivery, tiered interventions and assessment practices. Additionally, the Literacy Lead will provide coaching support to sites, assist with the development of personal learning plans and train licensed staff,  paraprofessionals and other support staff to assist with evidence-based literacy instruction. 

The Literacy Lead will partner and work closely with the Director of Elementary Teaching & Learning, Director of Secondary Teaching & Learning, Teaching & Learning Department and site leadership to provide support and assistance to staff to ensure delivery of evidence-based reading instruction that is inclusive and meets the diverse needs of all students. This support includes direct coaching, classroom-based demonstrations, collaborative one-on-one mentoring support, and consultation with staff to improve instructional reading and writing practices. Ninety percent of the Literacy Lead’s time will be dedicated to PreK-5 initiatives, overseen by the Director of Elementary Teaching & Learning, while the remaining 10% will support secondary initiatives under the direction of the Director of Secondary Teaching & Learning. 

 

WHAT YOU’LL LIKE ABOUT US:

  • Comprehensive and affordable benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life/AD&D and Long-Term Disability Coverage
  • Paid time off and paid holidays
  • 403(b) Plan & matching
  • HRA
  • This is a 205 day a year position. 
  • Start Date 8/5/2024
  • Salary: $75,000 – $85,000 depending on qualifications

 
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following fundamental duties:

District/Strategic Planning

  1. Builds and sustains relationships with district/site leadership and school staff.
  2. Conveys and upholds the district mission, vision which drives work towards the execution of the district strategic plan and school operational plans.
  3. Partners with the Directors of Teaching & Learning and the Teaching & Learning Coordinators/Specialists in developing, coordinating, and implementing comprehensive, evidence-based reading instructional practices based on the Science of Reading that are delivered equitably and aligned with the MN Academic Standards in English Language Arts and the district strategic plan.
  4. Provides direct leadership regarding writing instruction, structured literacy strategies, and students’ reading competency in the areas of oral language, phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary development, reading fluency, and reading comprehension based on the Science of Reading using the continuous improvement model.
  5. Assists and ensures the integrity of inclusive, evidence-based assessment tools and processes that support screening for dyslexia, assessing reading proficiency, and identifying students who may need reading support/intervention aligned to the Science of Reading to promote student growth and achievement.
  6. Co-facilitates the selection process, implementation and vertical alignment across levels of literacy curricular resources that are evidence-based and aligned to the Science of Reading and the MN Academic Standards in English Language Arts.
  7. Leads the evaluation of the current strengths of curricula and opportunities for improvement based on quantitative and qualitative data.
  8. Supports the fidelity and implementation of curriculum delivery that aligns with the Science of Reading.
  9. Partners with district/site leaders and staff to support the analysis and interpretation of student assessment data to guide instructional decisions and identify literacy needs at the district, school, and classroom level.
  10. Works closely with district/site leaders, instructional coaches, licensed teachers, and school support staff to facilitate the design and implementation of Tier 1 evidence-based literacy instructional practices and tiered interventions that are aligned to the MN Academic Standards in English Language Arts and statewide initiatives.
  11. Supports the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) model of differentiated instruction and tiered intervention processes.
  12. Coordinates and supports the integrity of culturally responsive instructional strategies to ensure equitable access for all students to rigorous literacy instruction.
  13. Collaborates with parents/guardians to ensure they are engaged and informed about literacy practices and their child’s progress.
  14. Assists with the development and implementation of the district’s Local Literacy Plan and data submission to MDE to ensure that all students are reading well.
  15. Researches and recommends innovative programming opportunities and practices.
  16. Monitors and updates the literacy pages of the Teaching & Learning curriculum hub.
  17. Communicates curricular review and recommendations with relevant district-wide committees, the Board of Education, and district leadership upon request.
  18. Attends Site Leadership Meetings upon request.
  19. Attends Professional Learning Communities and department or team meetings upon request.
  20. Attends and participates in district-wide committees as requested by the Directors of Teaching & Learning.
  21. Attends and represents the district in local and state meetings and conferences related to state standards, assessment, and instruction as requested by the Directors of Teaching & Learning.

Professional Development

  1. Coordinates, plans, and delivers professional development opportunities that ensure effective structured literacy instruction that is multisensory, systematic, sequential, cumulative, and explicit based on the Science of Reading for PreK-12 licensed teachers and support staff.
  2. Provides ongoing professional learning experiences that include modeling, co-teaching, and coaching of effective writing instruction, structured literacy instruction, and language development.
  3. Supports staff in understanding how culturally responsive teaching pedagogy embedds into classroom practices and literacy instruction.
  4. Familiarizes district/site leaders and staff with best practice research on foundational reading skills and language comprehension strategies aligned to the Science of Reading.
  5. Designs training modules and accompanying materials to support teachers in their implementation of evidence-based literacy practices, dyslexia and screening.
  6. Serves as a consultant and instructional coach to teachers, Professional Learning Communities, and departments regarding evidence-based literacy practices.
  7. Support providing parent/family notification for students not reading at or above grade level, including the student’s reading proficiency level, reading-related services, and strategies for families to use at home to support the students.
  8. Supports staff with the integration of digital tools into classroom practice.
  9. Participates in professional development growth activities to maintain professional knowledge and stay current with curricular trends and instructional best practices.

Employment Standards

  1. Ability to communicate effectively both written and orally to convey knowledge and skills to staff.
  2. Manages and plans for the work, sets priorities, and evaluation progress toward outcomes.
  3. Ability to work collaboratively with a variety of personalities and needs.
  4. Ability to handle conflict and work towards resolution.
  5. Ability to reflect on and continuously improve practices in response to coaching.
  6. Ability to show initiative in resolving problems.
  7. Ability to conduct oneself in a professional and customer service-based manner at all times.
  8. Proficient in the use of office applications and online learning platforms.
  9. Collaborates with other departments and leaders to support the needs of teachers and students.
  10. Collaborates with Regional Literacy Network colleagues and the Minnesota Department of Education.
  11. Other duties as assigned.

 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS (Specific training or job experience required before appointment):

  1. Minimum of 5 years teaching experience; current Minnesota teaching license, K-12 Reading License, and a Masters Degree.
  2. Trained in at least one literacy professional development program approved by the Minnesota Department of Education.
  3. System-level leadership experience working with diverse groups, addressing inequities, leading change and transformation in a system, and facilitating adult learning.
  4. Up-to-date knowledge of the current trends, research with evidence-based instructional practices with reading acquisition and development.
  5. Knowledge of curriculum design and instructional strategies, assessment practices, staff training, and coaching techniques.
  6. Experience planning, implementing, and evaluating district-wide initiatives and professional learning.
  7. Ability to lead adult learners, present, and speak in front of groups.

 
PERFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  1. Certified facilitator credentials.

 TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION:

Apply online at https://isd194.org/employment/

ISD 194 IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND SUPPORTS WORKFORCE DIVERSITY
 
 
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