Assistant Director of Early Literacy (K-3)

Mastery Charter Schools • Philadelphia, PA

2d • $104,000 - $110,200 • Hybrid

About The Position

Mastery Schools is a public charter network of 23 K-12 schools in Philadelphia and Camden, serving over 14,000 students. The mission is to provide all students with the academic and personal skills they need to succeed after graduation. The organization is committed to pursuing equity, disrupting systemic racism, and addressing disparities. The culture is built on respect, service, and the belief that student success leads to community success. Mastery fosters a positive, open, and inclusive environment that celebrates honesty, humor, and continuous improvement. The Assistant Director of K-3 Literacy ensures that Mastery Schools students develop foundational literacy skills, knowledge, and instructional experiences to become successful, independent readers and writers. Reporting to the Director of Early Literacy, this role partners with schools to strengthen Tier 1 instruction, teacher practice, and the implementation of evidence-based literacy programming grounded in the Science of Reading. While primarily serving on the K-2 Literacy Team, the Assistant Director also partners with the 3-8 Literacy Team to ensure a coherent transition into third grade. This includes supporting the design and implementation of high-quality WIN (What I Need) blocks, strengthening Tier 1 instruction through data-informed decision making, and ensuring instructional coherence across foundational skills, language comprehension, reading comprehension, and writing. The Assistant Director serves as a strategic thought partner to schools and advances Mastery's vision for literacy through teacher coaching, professional learning, instructional resource development, and data-driven continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Results-oriented with a strong commitment to improving student outcomes.
• Deep belief in the mission and instructional model of Mastery Schools.
• Demonstrate deep knowledge of early literacy, the Science of Reading, Common Core State Standards, MTSS, and evidence-based instructional practices, with a high bar for instructional quality.
• Strong coaching, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence adult learning and instructional practice.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and interpret student achievement and instructional implementation data to drive continuous instructional improvement.
• Ability to diagnose classroom instruction, identify high-leverage next steps, and provide clear, actionable feedback that strengthens teacher practice.
• Bachelor's degree required.
• At least five years of experience in literacy instruction, teacher coaching, curriculum development, or instructional leadership.
• Demonstrated record of improving literacy outcomes through instruction, coaching, curriculum development, or instructional leadership.
• Experience implementing evidence-based literacy practices aligned to the Science of Reading.
• Demonstrated success working with students and educators in historically under-resourced school communities.
• Ability to physically perform the essential duties of the role as outlined above, and to work in the environmental conditions required, such as traveling to network campuses, monitoring and interacting with students, in-person facilitation of trainings, etc.
• This role requires frequent travel between multiple locations. Reliable transportation is essential to fulfill job responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Support implementation of high-quality Tier 1 literacy instruction grounded in the Science of Reading through teacher and leader coaching, classroom observation, modeling, feedback, and professional development.
• Partner with schools to strengthen K-3 MTSS, including Tier 1 instruction, intervention systems, progress monitoring, and data-driven instructional planning.
• Analyze student achievement, assessment, and implementation data to identify instructional trends, diagnose opportunities for improvement, and inform school support and network priorities.
• Design and facilitate high-quality professional learning that strengthens teacher and leader practice and instructional execution.
• Develop instructional resources, planning tools, exemplar materials, and implementation guidance that support high-quality curriculum implementation and instructional decision making.
• Contribute to the planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of network literacy initiatives, assessments, pilots, and strategic priorities.
• Collaborate closely with the K-2 and 3-8 Literacy Teams to ensure instructional coherence and successful transitions into third grade.
• Provide support to Academic Operations as needed, including assessment implementation, school support, and other network priorities.

Benefits

• 403(b) retirement plan for PA employees (with a 5% match from Mastery for full-time employees)
• Enrollment in the State of New Jersey Pension Plan for NJ employees
• Robust Employee Assistance Program
• Mental health and counseling programs
• Annual Professional Development Fund
• Discounts and perks at a myriad of retailers, travel organizations, insurance providers, and so much more
• Access to the HealthAdvocate Helpdesk to help you navigate various benefits-related topics.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director