Early Literacy Coach

Job Title

Assists K-3 teachers in the improvement of teaching literacy.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Collaboration with Teacher/Support Staff
• Help teachers plan and execute more concise and specific instruction for the most at-risk readers
• Help teachers match readers to text and provide appropriate opportunities for experiences at independent, instructional, and challenging levels
• Help with classroom set-up and management that supports early literacy learning
• Ensure that the six basic components of early literacy instruction are present and integrated in every classroom
• Facilitate development/use of building Literacy Closet
• Support Learning Assistants/Associates in the kindergarten classroom
• Be actively engaged in working with teachers and students by modeling effective teaching
• Coach/debrief to assist teachers with supportive feedback
• Assessment
• Promote the use of the assessment to inform individualized instruction
• Support teachers in the administration of the MLPP
• Lead staff development and study group sessions for classroom teacher growth
• Participate in ongoing professional development
• Facilitate the study of research articles and/or professional books to inform teacher practice
• Arrange and facilitate observation and debriefing of on site and school to school visits
• District
• Share expertise with other literacy coaches and teachers
• Attend literacy coach meetings to foster two way communication between the district and buildings
• Work with the principal and district to collect and analyze data
• Other
• Facilitate parent workshops in literacy and assessment

Supervisory Responsibilities: None.

Qualification Requirements:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:

Bachelor's Degree with valid Michigan Teaching Certificate Elementary endorsement preferred Major/Minor in Language Arts/Reading preferred Demonstrated successful classroom Language Arts teaching Early literacy experience Proven credibility with peers A teaching/learning philosophy compatible with district vision for literacy MLPP Certified Experience using MLPP in classroom Recent participation in Literacy and Coaching Training

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

Valid Michigan Elementary Teacher Certification with Major/Minor in Language Arts/Reading preferred. Participation in Language Arts Curriculum Development required. Participation in MLPP training and experience using MLPP in classroom.

Language Skills:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, technical procedure, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of administrators, staff, students, parents and the general public.

Mathematical Skills:

Not Applicable.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Other Skills and Abilities:

Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to instructional program; ability to plan and present lessons based on school objectives and the needs and abilities of students to whom assigned. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, peers, school staff and parents; skills in oral and written communication.

Physical Demands:

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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk. The employee is occasionally required to stand and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds such as books and teaching material. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance, vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The ability to travel to other building is required. The position requires the individual to sometimes work irregular or extended work hours and meet multiple demands from several people.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.