Literacy Specialist-Middle

Department:Teaching and Learning

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 anda nondiscrimination policyfor students employees and prospective applicants. All educational and employment determinations are based on an individuals 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 coaching intervention and coordination of assessment and Tier I and Tier II support services.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

• K-12 Reading Specialist License and valid Massachusetts teaching license
• Masters 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
• Familiarity and experience with Units of Study in Opinion/Argument Information and Narrative Writing 6-8 Series edited by Lucy Calkins
• Familiarity with the Scholastic Reading Inventory and Qualitative Reading Inventory
• Familiarity and experience with the iReady Diagnostic reading assessment and online instruction platform
• Familiarity and experience with a balanced literacy framework including:reading and writing workshop guided reading strategy groups and book clubs running records
• Experience writing and teaching curriculum using an Understanding by Design framework
• 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 Newtons 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 (fluency vocabulary and comprehension focus)
• 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

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.

Required Experience:

Unclear Seniority