Literacy Specialist

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

COACHING AND SUPPORT

• Use the most up-to-date knowledge in the field to collaborate with the Academic Team including the Associate Head of School Academic Coaches Lead Teachers Assistants and Learning Support Specialists to support the use of Montessori materials and methodology to drive literacy outcomes for children at all levels particularly those with lagging skills. 

• Train members of the Academic Team in foundational agreed-upon structured literacy strategies. This includes instructional coaches teachers classroom assistants and learning support specialists. 

• Work with classroom and learning support teams (during Professional Development office hours and other meeting times as required and assigned) to interpret individual student literacy assessment scores and determine support strategies as needed. 

• Hold office hours to collaborate with teachers providing coaching feedback and guidance as they create classroom plans for differentiated instruction including accommodations and learning extensions as necessary.

• Provide and support professional development in literacy for faculty.

TEACHING AND PRACTICE

• Have or develop a clear understanding of the Montessori philosophy in practice in particular when it comes to literacy materials and implementation.

• Work with identified children individually or in small groups to strengthen literacy skills.

• Prepare materials and lessons that meet the needs and interests of the children are appropriate to their development are based on Montessori philosophy and practice best educational practices and the agreed-upon school-wide structured literacy model and utilize strategies from that model.

• Communicate clearly and accurately with children conveying expectations and managing student behavior in a positive respectful and effective manner.

• Keep literacy support materials in good condition maintain and grow the reader set library and order new materials as needed.

• Promote the values contained in the schools mission statement.

• Create an emotional climate that is warm and comfortable in which children feel safe and nurtured and facilitate a cooperative learning community.

• Maintain confidentiality in respect to students and families.

• Create facilitate and present parent education workshops on a regular basis.

• Design and present professional development to faculty and staff.

PROFESSIONAL/PERSONAL GROWTH

• Keep up-to-date on current research on best practices for reading instruction.

• Set and accomplish realistic and meaningful annual goals in consultation with the Director of Learning Support.

• Perform other duties and responsibilities as required assigned or requested.

Qualifications :

• Bachelors Degree required Masters Degree in related field preferred.
• Five-plus years of experience facilitating targeted small-group literacy intervention with primary and elementary-aged students.
• Three-plus years of experience coaching and supporting Academic Teams.
• The following active certifications or willingness to be trained upon hire: 

  • Orton-Gillingham Reading Training

  • Wilson Language Training

  • DIBELS training

• Experience working with diverse populations of students parents and families

• Montessori training/experience preferred

• Experience teaching and coaching adults

• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate verbal and written with children and adults

• Advanced understanding of a childs physical social and emotional development

• Demonstrated ability to provide a high level of support and assistance with measurable results; including a proficiency in working with current educational technologies and techniques

• Commitment to collaborating with a larger team of like-minded professionals

• Proficiency in Google Drive 

Additional Information :

Pay Information: The salary range for this position is $65000 - $75000 based on skills and experience.

Near North Montessori offers a variety of benefits which include:

• Medical Dental and Vision options

• Short Term & Long Term Disability

• EAP Program

• Flexible Paid Time off

• Professional Development Opportunities

Near North Montessori believes that each individual is entitled to equal employment opportunity without regard to race color religion gender national origin age disability genetic information sexual orientation ancestry veteran status or any other characteristic protected under federal state or local anti-discrimination laws. The Schools equal employment opportunity practices extend to recruitment hiring selection compensation benefits transfer conditions and privileges of employment.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time