Literacy Coach

Children First•Venice, FL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Literacy Coach provides leadership in advancing Children First's agency-wide literacy initiatives while coordinating enhanced literacy support to Head Start Alumni (K-3rd grade) at Emma E. Booker Elementary School, Sarasota, FL. This position serves as the organization's literacy champion by supporting classroom teachers, families, volunteers, and school partners in implementing evidence-based literacy practices that strengthen reading readiness and early literacy outcomes from birth through third grade. This position plays a vital role in creating a seamless literacy continuum that begins in Children First classrooms, extends through elementary school, and engages families, educators, and volunteers in helping every child become a confident, successful reader. The Literacy Coach ensures that Children First's literacy initiatives align with the organization's mission of preparing children for kindergarten success while extending literacy support for our Head Start alumni. Children First is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications.

Requirements

Valid Driver’s License and acceptable driving record.
Proof of auto insurance within agency limits, or access to transportation.
Immediate/continued enrollment in the Criminal History Registry-Child Care Division.
Current Health Appraisal, updated every two (2) years.
Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, Reading, Literacy, or a related field.
Minimum of three years of teaching or literacy coaching experience.
Experience working with volunteers and community partners.
Strong understanding of early childhood literacy development.
Knowledge of evidence-based reading instruction and the science of reading.
Ability to coach adults using supportive, strengths-based practices.
Experience training volunteers or adult learners.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to analyze student literacy data and recommend instructional improvements.
Strong organizational and project management skills.
Ability to build collaborative relationships with teachers, families, volunteers, and school partners.
Speak, read and write English.
Communicate, orally and in writing, with all levels of audiences.
Teach and/or train staff, utilizing adult learning principles.
Manage time, stress and constantly changing situations; prioritize a complex workload to meet deadlines.
Utilize agency resources to appropriately answer questions and provide guidance to staff and parents.
Provide compliance monitoring in a proactive and supportive manner.
Solve problems and make decisions in a constantly changing regulatory environment.
Translate theory and professional training into practical solutions.
Deal with sensitive family situations in a non-threatening and professional manner.
Collect, analyze and aggregate program data and make accurate reports and recommendations.
Work cooperatively and collaboratively with parents, staff and community partners.
Work independently without intense supervision.
Set and maintain professional boundaries with families.
Use of computer– word processing, database, Internet and e-mail.
Lifts and/or moves up to 50 lbs.
Kneels, stoops, bends, reaches and sits on floor to attend to children’s needs.
Sitting, for working at keyboard and desk, (standing,) driving for home and site visits.
Moves quickly to respond to children who are active and need redirection to protect their and others’ safety.
Uses manual dexterity, reaches with hands and arms, stretches, and talks or hears.
Responds both physically and mentally to emergency or crisis situations.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred.
Florida Teaching Certificate or Reading Endorsement preferred.
Experience in Head Start, elementary education, or nonprofit educational programming preferred.
Bilingual in English/Spanish is helpful.
Certification in Infant/Child CPR and First Aid certification, desired.

Responsibilities

Provides leadership in advancing agency-wide literacy initiatives.
Coordinates enhanced literacy support to Head Start Alumni (K-3rd grade) at Emma E. Booker Elementary School.
Serves as the organization's literacy champion by supporting teachers, families, volunteers, and school partners in implementing evidence-based literacy practices.
Strengthens reading readiness and early literacy outcomes from birth through third grade.
Creates a seamless literacy continuum from Children First classrooms through elementary school.
Engages families, educators, and volunteers in helping children become confident readers.
Ensures literacy initiatives align with the organization's mission.
Prepares children for kindergarten success.
Extends literacy support for Head Start alumni.