Specialist-Reading and Literacy

ESC Region 11•White Settlement, TX

12d

About The Position

Provide instructional leadership and expertise in literacy development for students with disabilities and dyslexia through facilitation of professional learning, appropriate coaching, and technical assistance. Model evidence-based practices and support the implementation of structured literacy interventions. Collaborate with educators, district and campus level teams, leaders, and other stakeholders to ensure equitable access to high-quality reading instruction in compliance with state and federal guidelines.

Requirements

Valid Texas Teaching Certification, Elementary/Secondary ELAR, preferred
Master’s degree in Reading, Literacy, Special Education, or related field
Team-oriented attitude and desire to work collaboratively with ESC staff campus/district/charter school personnel.
Strong organizational, communication, public relations, and interpersonal skills.
Advanced knowledge of reading development, assessment, and instructional strategies aligned with the Science of Reading.
Familiar with research and evidence-based dyslexia and literacy programs such as Take Flight, MTA, Esperanza, Reading by Design, etc.
Understanding of the research and literature that undergirds reading and writing instruction for PK–12 students and factors (social, cognitive, and physical) that contribute to reading success.
Familiar with explicit instruction, co-teaching, and modeling for adults who teach reading.
Knowledgeable state reading initiatives, assessment frameworks, proficiency standards, and the use of benchmarks and state data to improve student learning.
Experience implementing district and school-wide reading/literacy programs.
A minimum of five years of experience teaching reading and/or literacy.
A minimum of three years of successful coaching and facilitation.

Nice To Haves

Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) Qualified Instructor, preferred
Experience in program development at the campus and/or district level, preferred

Responsibilities

Actively participate in and/or provide leadership for inter-departmental teams to help improve student performance in the region, improve the ESC internal operations, and meet the established goals and objectives for the ESC.
Is responsive as the first point of contact for all stakeholders in the education community.
Possess a child-centered mindset and ability to develop a strong rapport with multiple stakeholders as it relates to reading and literacy.
Assist with the planning and implementation of district and school-wide reading/literacy programs and provide appropriate coaching, when needed.
Knowledgeable of the relationship between first and second language acquisition and literacy development for emergent bilingual learners and students with disabilities in dyslexia and/or reading comprehension.
Demonstrate knowledge of Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) or State Guidelines, as well as other state initiatives and standards related to reading and literacy development.
Possess strong verbal and written communication skills needed to collaborate effectively with various stakeholders (internal and external).
Proficiency in using assessment data and tools to identify various reading and literacy challenges to inform and adapt instruction.
Ability to develop reading and literacy curricula aligned across grade levels (PK-12) that are differentiated and inclusive of specially designed instruction for students with disabilities in reading and writing
Help PK-12 schools and/or districts evaluate the quality of their reading and writing instruction and make recommendations for improvement.
Demonstrate effective technology integration skills as appropriate for the role.
Support teachers in utilizing technology to enhance literacy assessment and instruction.
Facilitate professional learning in effective reading instructional techniques and strategies, and monitor the impact of learner transfer to practice in the field.
Collect, analyze, and report on student reading data to inform instruction and policy.
Perform other duties as assigned.