Reading and Language Arts Coordinator

Join the Duluth Public Schools team, where we work to inspire every student to achieve their potential and prepare students to lead productive, fulfilling lives. 

Summary:
The Reading and Language Coordinator is responsible for leading the district’s efforts in fulfilling the requirements of the Minnesota Reading to Ensure Academic Development (READ) Act.  This position supports development and delivery of professional services and resources for educators that focus on evidence-based instructional practices in literacy. The primary purpose of the Literacy Coordinators work is to improve the quality of education for all learners. This position will participate in a variety of assigned projects around the implementation of evidence-based literacy practices. The position requires an in-depth level of knowledge of the science of reading and multi-tiered systems of support.

The READ Act:
The Minnesota READ Act aims to ensure that every child in Minnesota reads at or above grade level at every grade and to support multilingual learners and students receiving special education services in achieving their individualized reading goals.. This comprehensive legislation outlines various requirements for school districts, including:

• Implementing a MTSS framework for early identification and intervention for students struggling with reading.
• Providing access to evidence-based reading instruction for all students K-12.
• Developing and implementing a district-wide reading plan aligned with the READ Act’s goals.
• Reporting data on student progress in reading to the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE).

This position is also responsible for planning, developing, implementing, and monitoring the English Language Learners (ELL) program (K-12). The position develops the curriculum and assessments, provides staff development, and prepares and monitors the program budget. Position also provides technical assistance to identified schools and takes action as necessary to ensure that schools comply with federal (Title III) and state directives, guidelines and reporting requirements.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in education with MN Teaching license.
• A minimum of 4 years of teaching experience in a K-12 setting 
• Certification in a MDE approved literacy professional development program with a score of at least 80% (CAREIALL: Advancing Language and Literacy or OL&LA: Online Language and Literacy Academy or LETRS (Lexia): Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling. If not, willingness to immediately receive training to earn certification

Skill Requirements:

• Strong leadership, collaboration, and facilitation of committees and teams with the ability to meet timelines, provide direction to work teams, and delegate appropriately.
• Works effectively with students, parents, administrators, colleagues, community, and other school system staff.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Effectively communicating and working with diverse groups of people such as (but not limited to) district office personnel, principals, teachers, students and parents.
• Analyzing and evaluating data for specific use.
• Prioritizing workload and conflicting demands.
• Working in a diverse socio-economic and multicultural community.
• Promoting the belief that all students can and should learn.
• Developing and providing effective presentations to the public, Board of Education and staff.
• Effectively communicating orally and in writing, with a variety of public, staff and management groups.

Knowledge Requirements:

• Demonstrated knowledge of Minnesota English Language Arts Standards.
• Demonstrated knowledge of effective reading instruction, MTSS frameworks, classroom management techniques, current research on best practices and strategies, and data-driven decision-making.
• Knowledge of learning acceleration and intervention practices and strategies.
• Experience in planning, facilitating, and leading professional development.
• Ability to collaborate and coordinate with others in establishing a vision and ability to continually align efforts.
• Strong understanding of literacy assessment tools and data analysis.
• Coaching and mentoring teachers.

In addition to rewarding career opportunities, Duluth Public Schools offers an excellent benefit package to employees who are hired into positions scheduled to work 24 hours/week or more. Benefits include, but are not limited to the following:
 
Medical/Prescription Drug Plan with Health Reimbursement Arrangement

• Single Coverage – District pays 100% of premium (FREE) + contributes $2,612.50 into HRA annually
• Family Coverage – District pays 75% of premium (25% employee contribution) + contributes $5,225.00 into HRA annually

Dental Plan

• Single Coverage – District pays 100% of Basic premium (FREE)
• Family Coverage – District pays 25% of Premium

Life Insurance    

• District provides minimum of $50,000 of life insurance at no cost, employee may purchase supplemental life insurance

 Long Term Disability

• District-provided at no cost to employee

Flexible Spending Accounts

• Employees may elect to contribute on a pre-tax basis to Health Flexible Spending Accounts and Dependent Care Accounts

Retirement

• The District contributes 7.5% of your total salary in the Public Employees Retirement Association) pension plan.
• Employees may also elect to participate in Tax-Shelter Annuity options.

Time Off

• Each bargaining unit contract defines time off provisions such as holidays, sick/personal leave, vacation, etc. 

Contact Information:
If you have any questions, please contact Human Resource at 218-336-8722 or email noncerthr@isd709.org