Literacy Instructional Specialist (26-27)

Alpha Public Schools • San Jose, CA

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The Literacy Instructional Specialist will lead and support efforts to improve reading and literacy intervention and student achievement in support of Alpha’s Milestone: Students read at or above grade level by the end of third grade. This role involves data analysis and response, oversight of implementation and curricular resources, and providing direct feedback to support staff of their small group facilitation. The ideal candidate will collaborate with instructional support staff, teachers, school and network leaders, and families to foster a culture of rigorous, student-centered, and equitable reading, writing, and literacy skills.

Alpha Instructional Specialists are expected to:
Demonstrate exemplary, research-based English and Reading intervention through modeling, coaching, collaborative lesson planning, and co-teaching.
Support the development of Academic Interventionists in small group instruction, data analysis, and best practices for literacy interventions in partnership with school leaders.
Support in the implementation of selected Reading and ELA curricula, instructional strategies, and assessments with teachers, principals, coaches, and families.
Analyze data from diagnostic assessments, exams, formative assessments, and summative evaluations to identify trends and gaps in student achievement.
Plan small and large group interventions to address individual student needs using evidence-based strategies.
Coordinate with Assistant Principals, network staff, and ELD specialists to help teachers prioritize skills in Amplify CKLA Skills and Knowledge blocks, and EL Achieve for designated ELD, ensuring a coherent model through tier 1 and tier 2 student experiences.
Work directly with students as needed.
Partner with school leadership teams to assess Literacy performance on the CA Dashboard and implement data-driven strategies to drive significant growth within the school's renewal cycle.
Collaborate with assistant principals, teachers, and families to intentionally reduce disparities in opportunities for historically marginalized populations, including ELL students, students of color, and students with disabilities.
Support in planning and facilitating professional learning aligned to key Literacy priorities.
Maintain open lines of communication with staff, families, and the greater Alpha community.
Participate in regular and ongoing professional development, observations, and feedback sessions.

Specific responsibilities in Year 1 include:
Oversee implementation of mCLASS in 1st grade.
Oversee data analysis and progress monitoring of DIBELS and mCLASS-based intervention groups.
Create the Scope and Sequence of lessons from mCLASS based on student data.
Directly observe and provide regular feedback to Academic Interventionists on their execution of mCLASS materials.
Support staff in communicating data to families; provide access to families in implementing “at home” mCLASS resources.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree
• A valid Clear California teaching credential (or a Clear out of state credential equivalent)
• At least four (4) years of teaching experience
• At least two (2) years teaching foundational literacy
• A track record of success in leading students to exceed a year of literacy growth in a year’s time
• Subject matter expertise on Literacy, ELA, and Elementary Reading pedagogy, curriculum, and assessments
• A commitment to working with students in traditionally underserved communities.

Nice To Haves

• Preferred experience using CKLA 3.0, DIBELS, and mCLASS instructional resources
• Experience (formally or informally) coaching instructional support staff and/or teachers on reading interventions

Responsibilities

• Lead and support efforts to improve reading and literacy intervention and student achievement.
• Analyze data from diagnostic assessments, exams, formative assessments, and summative evaluations to identify trends and gaps in student achievement.
• Plan small and large group interventions to address individual student needs using evidence-based strategies.
• Coordinate with Assistant Principals, network staff, and ELD specialists to help teachers prioritize skills in Amplify CKLA Skills and Knowledge blocks, and EL Achieve for designated ELD.
• Work directly with students as needed.
• Partner with school leadership teams to assess Literacy performance on the CA Dashboard and implement data-driven strategies.
• Collaborate with assistant principals, teachers, and families to intentionally reduce disparities in opportunities for historically marginalized populations.
• Support in planning and facilitating professional learning aligned to key Literacy priorities.
• Maintain open lines of communication with staff, families, and the greater Alpha community.
• Participate in regular and ongoing professional development, observations, and feedback sessions.
• Oversee implementation of mCLASS in 1st grade.
• Oversee data analysis and progress monitoring of DIBELS and mCLASS-based intervention groups.
• Create the Scope and Sequence of lessons from mCLASS based on student data.
• Directly observe and provide regular feedback to Academic Interventionists on their execution of mCLASS materials.
• Support staff in communicating data to families; provide access to families in implementing “at home” mCLASS resources.

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Compounding retention incentives for returning Alpha teachers
• Health benefits plans for medical, vision, and dental insurance coverage for staff and their families
• Retirement matching options
• Paid time off for holidays and breaks (6 weeks throughout the school year in addition to 6 weeks during the summer)
• Continuous Education fund to support continued external professional development
• Generous paternity/maternity leave benefits including 4 weeks of paid parental leave in addition to the state and federal leave allowances
• Employee Assistance Program that provides access to professional services for workplace, life, and wellbeing support and services
• Relocation assistance for teammates moving from 250+ miles away

What This Job Offers

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