Literacy Coach

Role and Responsibilities

Reporting to the School Director/Principal, the Paramount Literacy Coach will increase the quality and effectiveness of teaching and learning in grades K-3. The Literacy Coach will co-plan with individual teachers and teams, model lessons, and engage in co-teaching cycles. The Literacy Coach will partner with the School Leader(s), leveraging local data to plan and provide professional development related to the science of reading and assist in implementing evidence-based literacy practices aligned with science of reading research to meet the needs of all students.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with educators in grades Kindergarten through 3rd grade to:

  • Expand the educator’s knowledge of the science of reading research.

  • Implement professional development on high-quality instructional practices aligned with the science of reading research.

  • Assist in instructional planning with individuals and groups of teachers.

  • Conduct mini and full coaching cycles that target student outcomes.

  • Provide training on the use of formative assessment data to drive classroom instruction based on the science of reading research.

  • Ensure that student achievement and growth data is routinely collected, reported, and used to drive instructional decisions at the school and classroom levels.

• Collaborate with school leaders and stakeholders to:

  • Model continuous learning, maintain current progress, and serve as a thoughtful leader for student literacy in the school.

  • Partner with leadership related to the goals of the Indiana Literacy Cadre and Indiana’s Priorities for Early Literacy.

• Establish and maintain effective relationships and communication with students, educators, administrators, and other personnel.

• Engage in continuous growth and development in learning in the field of early literacy and coaching pedagogy, and practice.

• Read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, articles, and texts.

• Provide professional development to staff based on learning at Collaboration Network sessions.

• Effectively present information and respond to questions from different stakeholder groups.

• Solve practical problems and offer solutions that align with early literacy instructional practices.

• Maintain current school-level data and anecdotal records on coaching cycles and work with teachers and administrators.

• Assist in gathering survey data and local assessment data as required by the IDOE.

• Create and maintain a shared coaching calendar, making the calendar accessible to teachers and administrators as well as the leadership team.

• Perform duties in compliance and accordance with all IDOE requirements, district requirements, and Board of Trustees policies.

• Participate in all professional development provided by PSOE. This includes summer training, collaboration network sessions, and other professional development and training sessions.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

The Literacy Coach will be thoroughly committed to the PSOE mission. Prior successful full-time education experience in a similar setting is preferred. Concrete demonstrable experience and other qualifications include:

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred; minimum of five years of teaching experience

• Expertise related to literacy practice and pedagogy

• Hold a valid Indiana Teacher’s License; priority for candidates who have obtained the early literacy endorsement

• Annual training and/or professional development is required for all PSOE employees. Job-specific training is identified and scheduled by the School Principal or direct supervisor in partnership with Paramount C-suite.

Preferred Skills

• Proficiency in technology.

• Prior experience in charter schools.

• Knowledge of current community challenges and opportunities relating to the mission of the organization.

Additional Notes

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Must have the ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time; exhibit manual dexterity to dial a telephone, to enter data into a computer; to see and read a computer screen and printed material with or without vision aids; hear and understand speech at normal classroom levels, outdoors and on the telephone; speak in audible tones so that others may understand clearly in normal classrooms, outdoors and on the telephone; physical agility to lift up to 25 pounds to shoulder height and 25 pounds to waist height; and to bend, stoop, sit on the floor, climb stairs, walk and reach overhead.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This job operates in a professional office and school environment. The Literacy Coach usually works indoors in an office and school environment, but the mission of the organization may sometimes take them to non-standard workplaces. They work a standard workweek, but additionally will work evenings, weekends, and any additional hours necessary to accommodate activities such as educational meetings, training, and appearances at public events.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. Paramount Employees will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other related duties as assigned by the Principal or appropriate administrator. Paramount Schools of Excellence reserves the right to update, revise or change this job description and related duties at any time.