Literacy Specialist-Long Term Substitute

                            

Department:

Teaching and Learning/Title 1

Job Title:

Literacy Specialist and Title 1 Teacher

FLSA Status:

 

(Exempt/Non-exempt)

Exempt; Unit A

Reports to:

Principal/Middle School Literacy Coordinator

In compliance with state and federal laws, newton public schools is committed to equity, anti-racism and a nondiscrimination policy for students, employees and prospective applicants. All educational and employment determinations are based on an individual's qualifications and achievements without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, pregnancy, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, ancestry, homelessness, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by state and/or federal statute.

Summary:

The literacy specialist is responsible for helping every child in the school develop strong reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.  He or she provides and leads literacy instruction and assessment, through a combination of intervention (Tier 1 and Tier 2 support services), collaboration with teachers, and coordination of assessment. Part of the role is funded through Title 1 state grant. Title I provides federal dollars for supplemental educational opportunities for children who are most at risk of failing to meet the State's challenging content and performance standards. Title 1 teachers work to:

 

• Strengthen the core program in schools and provide academic and/or academically-related support services to low-achieving students 

• Provide evidence-based programs that enable participating students to achieve the learning standards of the state curriculum frameworks

• Participate in opportunities for professional development

• Involve parents/guardians as active partners in their children's education at school through open, meaningful communication and training
  The position will start in December and continue through the beginning of February

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

 

• K-12 Reading Specialist License and valid Massachusetts teaching license

• Master's Degree in education with concentration or additional coursework in Literacy/Reading

• Three or more years of recent experience teaching at the upper elementary or 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:

 

• Experience coaching and collaborating with teachers - especially with a co-teaching model

• Familiarity and experience with the iReady Diagnostic reading assessment and online instruction platform

• Familiarity and experience with evidence-based frameworks for reading instruction to support both language comprehension and word level reading skills, including:

   

  • structured literacy

  • small group reading instruction (e.g. guided reading, strategy groups, book clubs)

  • running records 

• Familiarity and experience with "Units of Study in Opinion/Argument, Information, and Narrative Writing, 6-8 Series," edited by Lucy Calkins

• Familiarity and experience with diagnostic procedures for identifying reading and writing difficulties

• Experience writing and teaching curriculum using backwards design and UDL

• Experience collaborating and problem solving with teachers

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities (Not Limited To):

• Provide leadership for school and district-wide literacy programs

• Provide professional development by training, coaching, and supporting teachers and paraprofessionals with literacy programs and instructional practices

• Support Newton's curriculum and professional development by modeling best practices, coaching teachers, and encouraging reflective practice

• 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 across content areas in planning instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners  

• Provide and support literacy assessment and data analysis

• Provide direct instruction and targeted intervention to struggling readers in tier 2 context (fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension focus) - both push-in and pull-out

• Meet regularly with team of middle school literacy specialists and middle school literacy coordinator 

• Consistent, reliable and punctual attendance is essential for supervision and instruction of the students

• Responsible for implementing "other job related duties" as needed

• Uses data in collaboration with classroom teachers to identify students for intervention

• Prepares lessons using evidence-based programs for intervention work with small groups of students 

• Works with Title 1 Director to comply with state reporting requirements 

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.