Literacy Coach

State of Oklahoma•Oklahoma City, OK

About The Position

A Literacy Coach serves as an instructional leader supporting effective reading development. The role applies a deep understanding of how students learn to read—including phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, writing, and language—and uses multisensory, explicit, systematic, and structured approaches to instruction. The coach identifies and supports struggling readers through research-based methods and targeted intervention plans tailored to individual needs. The Literacy Coach ensures compliance with the Strong Reader’s Act and related literacy legislation and works with special education teams to align literacy practices with IEPs, 504 plans, and state standards. The role builds partnerships with educators, administrators, families, and community organizations to design and implement comprehensive, evidence-based literacy programs. The coach also stays current on state and national literacy policies and supports schools and districts in improving instructional practices and literacy outcomes. This role is 90% field-based and requires travel to assigned coaching schools, with occasional travel for statewide professional development and State Department of Education team meetings. The posting also states that 70% in-state and out-of-state travel may be required. The position serves assigned regions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood, Elementary Education, Literacy, or a related field; official transcripts are required upon hire.
Five years of successful literacy instruction experience, primarily in elementary or early childhood settings; alternatively, a master’s degree in education and three years of successful literacy instruction experience.
Valid Oklahoma teaching certificate.
Completion of at least 30 hours of literacy training based on the science of reading, such as LETRS, AIM Pathways, or IMSE.
Pass the Oklahoma Foundations of Reading test within six months of hire.
Currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without sponsorship now or in the future.
Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.
Valid driver’s license from a U.S. state or territory for job-related travel.
Ability to stand, reach, and bend 50% of the time; operate a computer and other office productivity machinery 75% of the time; ascend and descend stairs 25% of the time; and lift up to 25 pounds.
Clear and accurate communication, strong analytical skills, timely decision-making, sustained focus, attention to detail, memory retention, adaptability, and mental flexibility.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Literacy or Education, or National Board Certification; official transcripts are required upon hire.
Additional endorsements or certifications such as certified structured literacy dyslexia specialist, CALP, CALT, or KPEERI.
Experience with literacy data analysis, structured literacy interventions, and multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS).
Familiarity with the Strong Readers Act.
Proficiency with online platforms for communication and data management.
Previous retirement from an educator role, with evidence of being a highly effective elementary school teacher based on statewide English Language Arts reading scores or teacher evaluations.
History of providing professional development, mentorship, or coaching to other professionals.

Responsibilities

Apply knowledge of reading development and structured, multisensory, explicit, and systematic literacy instruction.
Use research-based methods to identify struggling readers and develop targeted intervention plans tailored to students’ needs.
Support compliance with the Strong Reader’s Act, literacy standards, and related requirements.
Collaborate with special education teams to align support and accommodations with IEPs and 504 plans.
Build partnerships with schools, districts, educators, administrators, families, and community organizations to promote literacy initiatives.
Collaborate with stakeholders to develop and implement comprehensive literacy programs aligned with state standards and research-based practices.
Provide guidance to schools and districts on aligning literacy practices with current policies, standards, and assessments.
Stay informed about state and national literacy policies, standards, and assessments.

Benefits

Annual benefits allowance of up to $21,934.08, tailored to family size, for purchasing benefits.
Choice of insurance plans with no pre-existing conditions, exclusions, or limitations.
Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and/or dependent care expenses.
Full participation in the Teacher’s Retirement System, with employer-covered contributions of 7.5% of annual salary.
Full-time employees receive 15 days of vacation and 15 days of sick leave in their first year.
11 paid holidays per year.
Employee discounts with various companies and vendors.
Longevity bonus after two years of service, continuing annually thereafter.
Compensatory time for FLSA-exempt and nonexempt employees.
Employee Assistance Program.