Comprehensive Literacy State Development Early Literacy Specialist, RPDC, UMKC School of Education,

Hiring Department School of Education, Social Work, and Psychological Sciences'Regional Professional Development Center (RPDC) Job Description The RPDC Comprehensive Literacy State Development Early LiteracySpecialist will support birth through 5-year-old educators indeveloping knowledge of and implementing evidence-based earlyliteracy instruction. The CLSD Early Literacy Specialist willprovide educators, families, and communities at CLSD selectedschools and programs with support to assist in the development andimplementation of effective instructional methods, assessmentsand/or activities related to improving and advancing early languageand literacy skills. The specialists will provide job-embedded,continuous professional development to CLSD early childhoodselected schools and programs through coaching cycles andprofessional learning aligned with evidence based early literacyinstruction. The specialists will support classroom teachers onclassroom implementation of the EC LETRS professional developmentcourse and/or instruction aligned with the science of reading. Thespecialist will coordinate with existing partnerships and/ordevelop new partnerships to establish sustainable family andcommunity literacy experiences. Purpose The purpose of the CLSD Early Literacy Specialist is to provideeducators, families, and communities at CLSD selected schools andprograms with support to assist in the development andimplementation of effective instructional methods, assessmentsand/or activities related to improving and advancing early languageand literacy skills in birth to 5-year-olds. Expected Outcomes The expected outcomes for this effort are to improve the earlylanguage and literacy development of children birth to 5 years oldby improving the implementation of evidence-based early languageand literacy practices and supporting the literacy learningconnections through reciprocal relationships between school andhome. Reporting Requirements Report data and grant activities as required in a format andthrough a system designated by DESE CLSD. Overall Program Activities The Early Literacy Specialist will: Participate in all grant activities with CLSD selected schoolsand programs. Participate in collaborative planning meetings with other earlychildhood specialists and literacy coaches within and acrossregions. Assist DESE CLSD team with the collection of data for statewideanalysis and the creation of supporting resources. Attend and actively participate in statewide monthly resource,support, and training meetings, as designated by the DESE mastercalendar and direction from DESE CLSD team. Report data and grant activities each month or more frequentlyas required by DESE CLSD team. Support CLSD schools and programs with technical assistance andgrant activities Assist and support CLSD early childhood selected schools andprograms in improving literacy outcomes of students. Assist early childhood schools and programs in implementingeffective, evidenced-based instructional practices andstrategies. Establish consistent communication with designated CLSD earlychildhood selected school or program Attend regional and national conferences as requested byDESE. Training Activities All training activities must focus on support for Early Childhoodschools and programs participating in the CLSD grant. Any othertraining outside of this focus must be approved by DESE CLSD 2024Team and aligned with Missouri Read, Lead, Exceed LiteracyInitiatives. Provide job-embedded, continuous professional development toCLSD early childhood selected schools and programs through coachingcycles aligned with evidence based early literacy instruction. Support classroom teachers on classroom implementation of theEC LETRS professional development course and/or instruction alignedwith the science of reading. Provide professional development to CLSD selected schools andprograms that align with CLSD Early Childhood programming. Coordinate with existing partnership, if applicable, toimplement the following Collaborate with CLSD early childhood selected schools andprograms to host family literacy learning events - provide learningopportunities and build reciprocal literacy partnerships withfamilies Communicate and support specific school-to-home early languageand literacy learning connections. Collaborate and support, as a liaison, to establish sustainablefamily and community literacy partnerships for student earlylanguage and literacy learning experiences. Planning/Communication/Collaboration Activities Collaborate with other initiatives and interagency work of theRPDCs and DESE to provide support CLSD selected schools andprograms MEETING/CONFERENCE ACTIVITIES Attend and participate in monthly, multi-day meetings, andcheck-ins with other Early Literacy Specialists CLSD LiteracySpecialists, and Consultants at the direction of the DESE CLSDteam. Travel REQUIRED Attend and participate in any conference as requested by theDESE CLSD team. Travel REQUIRED CLSD Early Literacy Specialists are expected to travel withinthe RPDC region as needed, and travel for attendance at DESErequired meetings/conferences. Some specialists will be required totravel outside of the RPDC region, as assigned. Note This position is fully externally funded. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education andexperience and at least 3 years of experience from which comparableknowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary. Specialized Certification The Early Literacy Specialist must have the followingcertification: Early Childhood teaching certificate (Birth/Pre-Kindergarten –Third Grade) Early Childhood Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading andSpelling (EC LETRS) Training [If candidate has not taken EC LETRS,this must be completed after hire date through the department’sRead, Lead, Exceed Initiative.] Specialized Skills The Early Literacy Specialist will have the following skills: Ability to express complex ideas to a variety of audiencesclearly and concisely both orally and in writing. Ability to manage diverse activities and meet establisheddeadlines. Ability to establish and maintain rapport and effective workingrelationships with department staff, local school LEA personnel,families, and community programs. Ability to analyze complex preschool and prekindergarteneducational problems and develop feasible solutions. Required Specialized Knowledge/Experience The Early Literacy Specialist will have the following knowledgeand/or experience: Understanding of significant research in the field of earlychildhood and early literacy education (emergent literacy),including the relationship between family and community literacies,and the ability to apply the findings to the improvement ofclassroom instruction. Growth mindset and interest in finding supports to motivategreater learning and early literacy partnerships with students,teachers and families. Knowledge of the science of reading and experience inevidence-based instruction with birth - 5-year-olds (phonologicalawareness, phonemic awareness, oral language development, gross andfine motor skill development). Understanding and appreciation of various needs through urban,rural and suburban settings of children and families Three (3) years of classroom experience in early childhoodclassroom or setting (Pre-Kindergarten and/or Kindergartenexperience required.) Preferred Qualifications Master’s degree or higher in education or related field.Education Specialist or PhD/EdD degree preferred. The ideal candidate will have: Five (5) years’ experience as a teacher and/oradministrator. Expertise and/or significant leadership experience implementinginstructional best practice resulting in improved student learningoutcomes. Demonstrated commitment to and experience in serving studentswith diverse backgrounds, perspectives, goals, and abilities inalignment with the School of Education’s mission, vision, values,and priorities. Proficiency in word processing applications (i.e., Google Docs,Moodle, BrightSpace, Microsoft Office Suite, Apple systems). Excellent written, verbal and organizational skills. Able to relate to various education skills that encompass apreK-12 school system. Ability to conduct regional and in-state travel (travelexpenses will be reimbursed). Anticipated Hiring Range The anticipated hiring range for this position has been establishedas $58,000-$62,000 annually. Salary is determined by a variety of factors, including but notlimited to, the individual’s particular combination of education,skills, and experience, as well as organizationalrequirements. Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck.The University of Missouri provides generous leave, health plans,and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line. Grade: 10 Salary Plan GGS University Title: SENIOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM COORDINATOR To review the University of Missouri’s Staff Compensation Structureyou can view the Job Code detail page. Internal applicants candetermine their university title by accessing the Talent Profiletile in myHR. Benefit Eligibility This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefitspackage, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement,paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parentalleave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for allfour UM System campuses. For additional information on Universitybenefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at Equal Employment Opportunity The University of Missouri is an Equal OpportunityEmployer. To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity& Title IX at View phone number on click.appcast.io. #J-18808-Ljbffr The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.