Literacy Specialist-Elementary

SUMMARY: Literacy specialists are responsible for helping every child in the school develop strong reading, writing, speaking and listening skills and providing teachers with information and support to provide robust literacy instruction. They provide and lead literacy instruction and assessment, through a combination of intervention, and coordination of Tier I and Tier II support services. They also coach teachers, provide school and district wide professional development workshops, and develop and adapt curriculum., * Provide professional development by training, coaching, and supporting teachers and paraprofessionals with literacy curriculum and instructional practices

• Select, create, revise, and adapt curriculum to reflect Newton Public Schools' anti-racist, culturally responsive stance
• 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 in planning instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners
• Provide and support literacy assessment and data analysis
• Provide direct instruction and intervention to struggling readers
• Meet weekly with team of elementary literacy specialists and literacy coordinaters
• Coordinate Tier I and Tier II literacy support, including organizing schedules and instruction for Early Literacy Aides
• Consistent, reliable and punctual attendance is essential for supervision and instruction of the students
• Implement "other job-related duties" as needed.

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.

• K-12 Reading Specialist License and valid Massachusetts teaching license
• Master's Degree in Education with concentration in Literacy/Reading
• Three or more years of recent experience teaching at the elementary 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, * Familiarity and experience with "Units of Study in Opinion/Argument, Information, and Narrative Writing, K-5 Series," edited by Lucy Calkins
• Familiarity and experience with the Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System, Continuum of Literacy Learning, and Leveled Literacy Intervention Program
• Familiarity and experience with a balanced literacy framework, including:reading and writing workshop small group instruction in reading and writing explicit phonics and phonological awareness instruction
• Experience writing and adapting curriculum
• Experience coaching, collaborating, and problem solving with teachers
• Familiarity and experience with Fundations (c) phonics curriculum, K-3