Literacy Instructional Leader SY '24-'25

SY '24-'25

Employment type: Full-time; 12 months

Classification: Exempt

Average Salary: $92,000 (reflects average amongst all standing Literacy Instructional Leaders)

**Anticipated Start Date July 1, 2024**

Location: Chicago, IL

About Children’s Literacy Initiative:

Founded in Philadelphia in 1988, Children’s Literacy Initiative (CLI) is a national 501c3 working to advance equity in public education in the U.S. by ensuring Black and Latinx children achieve reading success by the end of third grade. CLI accomplishes this through job-embedded coaching and professional development, seminars and workshops, and providing the books and materials teachers and children need along their early literacy journeys.

Learning to read has significance beyond building skills – it is an act of liberation. By helping educators learn and apply high-impact, culturally sustaining instructional strategies and nurturing dynamic professional learning communities, CLI is building lasting capacity in teachers and principals to advance equity in education

Position Summary

Children’s Literacy Initiative (CLI) is recruiting experienced instructional/academic leaders who have a commitment to equitable education as demonstrated through Anti Racist leadership behaviors and beliefs, to be critical members of our Team!

The CLI Literacy Instructional Leader (LIL) is an academic leader who drives an instructional vision for Pk-8 that aligns partners’ literacy instruction and practice with CLI’s vision for excellence in literacy instruction. CLI’s Literacy Instructional Leaders have deep knowledge of research for literacy best practices and the science of reading; and provide job embedded educator support utilizing a content-focused coaching model. Our LIL’s create and facilitate effective and transformative professional development, and bridge theory to practical application for teachers and leaders in changing and improving their practice.

We are seeking experienced and preferably certified Literacy Instructional Leaders who are committed to ensuring that Black and Latinx children experience the anti-racist literacy instruction, support, and advocacy needed to create equity in education. The most aligned candidates have experience serving in literacy leadership roles as Assistant Principals, Instructional Coaches, etc. leading a wide range of literacy best practices in PK-8 school systems , a deep and demonstrated commitment to being an anti-racist leader, an unwavering desire to continually grow their own skills and a passion for teaching & learning.

As employees of CLI, Literacy Instructional Leaders work daily within partner school(s) as an integral part of their partners’ literacy strategy and leadership team. Literacy Instructional Leaders work with school leaders to develop a stronger, more aligned vision and language for excellent leadership and instruction. They rely heavily on data and work collaboratively with teachers and leaders to sharpen their skills and implement literacy strategies that foster children’s intellect and criticality. By helping educators learn high-impact instructional strategies and nurturing dynamic professional learning communities, CLI Literacy instructional Leaders build lasting capacity in teachers and leaders over time.

Literacy Instructional Leader Responsibilities

• Show up as their whole self, inspiring others to do the same
• Lead with care and transparency, taking ownership as a CLI leader
• Drive an instructional vision for partner’s focused on alignment with CLI’s vision for instruction
• Provide frequent and direct and effective feedback through coaching and professional development sessions to support teacher/leader growth and development
• Design and facilitate learning sessions for leaders and teachers around best practices in anti-racist early literacy instruction (i.e. grade-level meetings, small group and large group trainings (in-person and virtually)
• Serve as a resource and partner with school leaders to align vision, priorities and action for child-centered literacy instruction
• Maintain strong and effective systems for detailed record keeping using CLI resources, CLI Framework for Teaching & Learning, and partner resources
• Immerse and establish self as an active and engaged member of the CLI and school community, modeling CLI’s values and beliefs
• Participate and engage in various CLI professional development sessions
• Demonstrate a deep commitment to anti-racism and educational equity; through work and ability to hold self and others accountable for centering equity and anti-racism in literacy instruction
• Travel to partner sites nationally - forecasted travel about 25%

Literacy Instructional Leaders QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 3 years as a PK-8 Literacy Instructional Leader/coachin school systems(s) teaching and learning with and from predominantly Black and Latinx children
• Have a deep commitment to CLI’s mission, vision, and core values as demonstrated through experience, cultural competence and anti-racist leadership
• Demonstrated track record of success in student outcomes and teacher practice results
• Strong understanding of Adult Learning Theory & principles for facilitating adult learning
• Deep early literacy content & comprehensive knowledge of pedagogy that affirms and sustains black and Latinx children
• Ability to motivate, inspire and hold others accountable
• Comfort using web-based systems to facilitate coaching, professional development, track project deliverables and timelines
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to track progress, understand gaps, execute tasks, etc. with acute attention to detail
• Exceptional written and oral communication
• Bachelor's Degree
• Active Certification in Educational Leadership strongly preferred and willingness to obtain if required by partners

“What it’s like to work at CLI?!”:

We believe you should know that CLI aims to be an employer of choice! We know that our employees are our most valuable resource. So, in addition to providing great benefits, we are intentional to ensure we sustain a great culture!

Here’s a look at what makes CLI a great place to work:

DEIB – Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging is more than an initiative at CLI. In fact, DEIB is what drives every decision we make. We provide all our employees (4) comprehensive DEI trainings every year and race and equity are a part of every conversation!

• We have established BIPOC Affinity Groups & White Ally Affinity Groups
• We encourage a culture of feedback to ensure we are meeting the needs of our people

Collaboration is critical!

We have an awesome collaborative approach toward our work. You would be aligning yourself with an organization that understands the power of collaboration and the Power of 3 (taking care of ourselves, each other, and our physical spaces). Our work at CLI is collective work. We are in this together!

Benefits – Competitive compensation

CLI offers competitive compensation and benefits! We believe in providing robust benefits such as generous PTO, Full Medical, Dental, Vision & Prescription coverage, and full access to mental health resources via Teladoc and subscription to Care.com., as well as competitive and equitable salaries that commensurate with experience.

Leadership – Professional Devolopment – It’s what we do!

CLI believes that to ensure we deliver high impact coaching, we must continuously improve our approach to align with the most recent effective teaching practices! You will receive ongoing training & development.

Children’s Literacy Initiative is an Equal Opportunity Employer