25-26 Academic Coach - Literacy, Grades PK-8 (.50 FTE)

Somerville Public Schools•Somerville, MA

About The Position

To bring all students at the elementary level to proficiency or better in English language arts by supporting teachers in their efforts to maximize the effectiveness of their instructional practice. The Literacy Coach functions as a colleague, is not part of school administration, and does not participate in any way in the evaluation of a teacher’s performance.

Requirements

Excellent communication skills
Must be a licensed teacher by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Understanding of scientifically based literacy research and evidence-based practices for teaching the range of literacy skills and assessing student progress toward achievement of benchmarks; a demonstrated ability and willingness to learn and stay current.

Nice To Haves

Teachers serving with Professional Status in the Somerville Public Schools is preferred
Strong preference for individuals with experience in varied positions, including reading teacher and classroom teacher
Strong people skills; an ability to win the respect and trust of fellow teachers.
Advanced degree preferred, specifically Reading Certification.

Responsibilities

Help teachers meet the goals for student progress set by the district, Elementary Curriculum Coordinator, Principals, and the faculty as a whole.
Meet regularly with the Elementary Curriculum Coordinator, Principals, and others to assure that students achieve proficiency or better in English language arts and that teachers are supported in their instructional practice.
Create an atmosphere of trust and collaboration among staff that will promote professional growth and accelerate the achievement of all students
At the beginning of the school year, meets with the Elementary Curriculum Coordinator, to determine the schedule and priorities for training, conferences, workshops, meetings at the school, district, and/or other level (e.g. grant requirements) as applicable.
As a coach to classroom teachers, the literacy (or instructional) coach will spend a substantial portion of the day working with teachers in classrooms.
Meet with teachers to plan lessons and assess student progress, perform demonstration lessons and do co-teaching, organize assessments and data.
Coach classroom teachers in all aspects of differentiated literacy instruction, including use of student assessments to group students, management of effective whole- and small-group instruction, and individual activities to meet specific student needs
Provide feedback and suggestions for instructional improvements during coaching
Support teachers to implement strategies for working with struggling readers, English language learners, SPED students, as well as for extending learning for students above grade level
Coach will work with teachers and administration to design school-based professional development as necessary.
Provide teachers with clear and specific information on how to implement a range of effective instructional strategies
Be competently knowledgeable of the Massachusetts English Language Arts Framework, core reading program, and other curricular programs to assist teachers in their implementation
Assist teachers to integrate formative assessment into instructional practice, as requested by the teacher.