Early Literacy Instructional Lead

Job Description

KIPP Texas Early Literacy Instructional Lead

The Early Literacy Lead is an exciting opportunity for an individual with deep content knowledge of literacy at the primary school level (PreK through 2nd Grade) and passion for curriculum and instruction. The Early Literacy Lead will play a critical role at the state-level in one of KIPP’s most progressive reform efforts in order to drive improved student results, including growth and achievement, college and career readiness, and closing the achievement gap.

Position Overview

The Early Literacy Lead is responsible for leading the strategy and implementation of state literacy priorities, including building teacher and API content knowledge in foundational literacy through leading Reading Academies learning in order to improve and accelerate student achievement across PreK-2 classrooms.  This role can require travel to all four KIPP Texas regions (Austin, Dallas / Ft. Worth, Houston & San Antonio), and about 75% of time will be spent in schools and classrooms.

General Role Description

Implementing the KIPP Texas Early Literacy Strategy : Execute KTX multi-year PreK-3rd grade early literacy initiatives through strategic, region-specific support across the state including but not limited to the Texas Reading Academies.

Reading Academies Cohort Lead : Lead Reading Academies Module learning and facilitate coaching cycle with learning in alignment with School Leader development of Literacy Instruction and Achievement..

Coaching : Coach and support PreK instructional leaders, Reading Academies participants, including but not limited to Assistant Principals of Instruction (APIs) and teachers to grow and achieve goals literacy as aligned to our statewide implementation plan.

Data Analysis : Analyze data at student-level, teacher-level, school-level and regional-level to identify strengths, opportunities for growth aligned to the Science of Teaching Reading, and curricular and implementation implications.

Duties and Responsibility

The Early Literacy Lead responsibilities will include, but not be limited to the following :

Manage success of Reading Academies implementation for assigned cohorts

Lead implementation of state literacy priorities, including but not limited to reading growth assessment / s, foundational literacy across the state for grades PreK-3.

Develop, manage, and lead literacy pilots across the state to innovate and try new programs, structures, and strategies; gather implementation data and artifacts on a weekly basis to make statewide programmatic recommendations for future years.

Serve as a model of the three instructional coaching power moves – intellectual preparation, instructional coaching, and data-driven instruction.  Coach regional Early Literacy leads, APs, SLs, and regional academics teams members across the state in the power moves when coaching in schools.

Conduct Texas statewide and region-specific data analysis to guide regions around intentional data driven response in instruction.

Work with the Director of Foundational Literacy and Instructional Excellence team to maintain strong curriculum and implementation feedback cycles, vertical alignment and streamlined literacy support across all grades.

Support KTX regions in developing their literacy-specific professional learning scope & sequence and professional learning plans.

Plan and lead virtual and in-person literacy professional development for Reading Academies participants K-3 including lesson internalization, module internalization, and responding to data

Qualifications

Skills and Qualifications

Content and Pedagogical Expertise

• Texas Reading Academies Cohort Leader screener required to complete the responsibilities of this role.  Proof of passing the Texas Reading Academies Cohort Leader screener will be required prior to starting employment. For more information about completing the Reading Academies Cohort Leader Screener click here .

Strong knowledge and believe in the college-ready bar for students in literacy; exceptionally high standards for rigor and the belief that all students can achieve at high levels

Expert in literacy in the early primary grades (Pre-K through 3rd Grade) with a strong knowledge of the full literacy continuum (Pre-K through 12th Grade)

Strong knowledge of the components of balanced literacy, with a particular focus on Foundational Literacy (phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension)

Strong background and familiarity with literacy assessments, with a particular focus on reading growth assessments

Master teacher in literacy with strong skill in internalizing curriculum and modeling lessons

Strong coach of teachers with expertise in observation and feedback

(Preferred) Strong coach of leaders with the ability to model strong coaching and school leadership

Technical Skills

Detail oriented and obsessed with accuracy, especially in the areas of curriculum and assessments

Ability to create own work plan and can project plan around multiple priorities and fast-paced deadlines

Able to succinctly present summaries and updates

Can work across multiple modes of communication (virtual and in-person) to impact others and achieve goals

Advanced understanding of Microsoft Office suite

Communication, Interpersonal and Team Skills

Builds and maintains strong relationships across a variety of levels and stakeholders

Strong verbal and written communication skills; tailors message for the audience, context, and mode of communication

Motivates others to work in partnership toward ambitious goals

Builds consensus and resolves conflicts; exhibits willingness to have difficult conversations

Skillfully navigates systems and structures at various levels in a large district

Comfortable in ambiguity and can take abstract ideas into concrete work plans and products

Problem Solving and Systems Level Thinking

Understands how various systems, departments, and stakeholders interact to achieve short and long-term goals

Makes decisions using data and takes initiative to solve problems and create stakeholder buy-in

Can exhibit flexibility when faced with shifting priorities, demands, and timelines through analytical and problem-solving capabilities

Identifies and prioritizes mission critical issues and offers innovative solutions to seemingly intractable problems

Exhibits strong focus on goals and results and sets clear metrics for success

Leadership skills

Motivates, inspires, and moves other adults to action to achieve ambitious goals

Builds coalitions and works collaboratively with diverse stakeholders at all levels, including but not limited to regional leaders, School Leaders, coaches, teachers, and students

Establishes clear expectations, deliverables and deadlines across organizational layers

Empathy and Commitment to Cause

Deep belief in the mission and values of KIPP and commitment to improving student achievement

Passionately believes that all students can achieve at high levels

Demonstrates cultural competence and a deep understanding of and empathy for issues facing students and urban school districts

Goals

80% of K-2 KIPPsters reading on grade level as measured by DIBELS

90% of Pre-K KIPPsters will be “on track” for vocabulary and phonological awareness (including syllabication, onset-rime, and alliteration) as measured by the CIRCLE assessment.

100% of new K-3 teachers complete Reading Academies for their enrolled course.

All new K-3 teachers receive required coaching sessions, aligned to Texas Reading Academies (4x year)

Additional Information

KIPP provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability.