K-3 Literacy Coach - (Effective 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR)

Tucson Unified School District • Tucson, AZ

3d

About The Position

The K-3 Literacy Coach is responsible for assisting teachers in the implementation and effective delivery of scientifically based reading instruction. They are also responsible for providing ongoing professional development and coaching support. Coaches will provide appropriate services to schools for a cohesive, sustained, intensive, and classroom focused approach that is rigorous, engaging, and relevant for students. Literacy coaches will provide a non-threatening, open, professional, and collaborative work relationship with district/charter-level school personnel, school-based literacy coaches, principals, and teachers. They will be required to use data to effectively identify the needs of assigned schools to prioritize, schedule, organize, and provide technical assistance that builds educator capacity to provide effective literacy instruction so that students meet age and grade level literacy expectations by the end of 3rd grade and beyond. The Arizona Department of Education supports the hiring of K-3 Literacy Coaches for the purpose of facilitating and assisting K-3 teachers to increase performance of their student’s early literacy skills, measured on the state aligned reading assessment. The coaches will facilitate learning aligned to science of reading research and provide technical assistance to teachers that will improve implementation of aligned practices into daily literacy instruction and intervention. This work includes the integration of the Arizona's English Language Arts (ELA) Standards and Arizona’s Early Learning Language and Literacy Standards, locally determined K-3 curricula, and intervention programs, and use of data collected from the administration of formal and informal assessment tools.

Requirements

• Appropriate Arizona Teaching Certificate
• Arizona IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card
• Master’s Degree in Education or related field with 3 years documented successful experience teaching reading OR Bachelor’s Degree in Education or related field with 5 years documented successful experience teaching reading with a minimum of 3 years of literacy experience at the State, District/Charter, or School Level
• Availability to work flexible hours as needed, to include evenings and weekends.
• Knowledge of evidence-based research in the areas of reading, writing, listening, and speaking, and language
• Knowledge of the essential components of reading instruction
• Knowledge of the science of reading and structured literacy
• Knowledge of the Move On When Reading legislation
• Knowledge of Arizona's English Language Arts (ELA) Standards and Language and Literacy (ECE) Standards
• Knowledge of literacy assessment systems, practices, and types
• Knowledge of effective strategies in working with adult learners
• Knowledge of evidence-based practices in literacy
• Knowledge and experience in literacy instruction, literacy intervention, and development of and/or implementation of instructional literacy resources
• Knowledge of reading processes, acquisition, assessment, and instruction
• Knowledge of systematic, explicit instructional process
• Knowledge of instructional coaching approaches and strategies for teaching adult learners
• Knowledge of scientific reading research and its application to effective classroom instruction, structure, and practices, as well as intervention
• Knowledge of multi-tiered system of supports model, and data analysis and application
• Systematic, explicit, instructional delivery
• Experience providing professional development and technical assistance directly to school and district/charter staff
• Ability to effectively prioritize, schedule, manage, and organize multiple daily tasks to achieve goals
• Ability to administer and interpret reading assessments and use data to determine professional development needs, and recommend changes to improve school-wide and/or classroom instructional practices
• Ability to rapidly acquire and apply new skills and information
• Ability to provide effective instructional feedback
• Ability to identify problems and develop appropriate solutions
• Use effective written and oral communication skills, including the ability to engage in difficult and candid conversations with a variety of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated leadership/managerial skills
• Demonstrated team building skills
• Demonstrated collaboration and facilitation skills
• Proficient in MS Word, MS Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and other tools
• Motivating others to achieve
• High degree of professionalism to ensure and protect the confidentiality of educators and students
• Strong work ethic, self-directed and reliable, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• High quality interpersonal skills and the ability to relate to and interact with adults exhibiting a range of abilities and dispositions
• Persistent despite obstacles
• Ability to orchestrate change
• Valuing lifelong learning
• Belief that a coach can make a difference, despite the nature of the challenges
• Desire to grow professionally
• Proof of immunity to rubeola (measles) and rubella (German measles), or proof of MMR immunization.
• Willing to obtain a K-8 or K-12 Reading Endorsement

Nice To Haves

• Successful experience facilitating adult learning and delivering professional development specific to literacy instruction (e.g., professional development feedback / surveys, letters from participants, etc.)
• Experience mentoring, coaching, and providing feedback about instruction to classroom teachers
• Experience leading others in a collaborative process
• Experience analyzing and using student achievement data for instructional purposes

Responsibilities

• Assisting teachers in the implementation and effective delivery of scientifically based reading instruction.
• Providing ongoing professional development and coaching support.
• Providing appropriate services to schools for a cohesive, sustained, intensive, and classroom focused approach that is rigorous, engaging, and relevant for students.
• Providing a non-threatening, open, professional, and collaborative work relationship with district/charter-level school personnel, school-based literacy coaches, principals, and teachers.
• Using data to effectively identify the needs of assigned schools to prioritize, schedule, organize, and provide technical assistance that builds educator capacity to provide effective literacy instruction so that students meet age and grade level literacy expectations by the end of 3rd grade and beyond.
• Facilitating learning aligned to science of reading research and provide technical assistance to teachers that will improve implementation of aligned practices into daily literacy instruction and intervention.
• Integrating the Arizona's English Language Arts (ELA) Standards and Arizona’s Early Learning Language and Literacy Standards, locally determined K-3 curricula, and intervention programs, and use of data collected from the administration of formal and informal assessment tools.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees