Foundational Literacy Coach - SY 26/27 - Saguaro (New)

Job Summary:The Arizona Department of Education supports the hiring of Foundational Literacy Coaches for the purpose of facilitating and assisting pre-k-3 teachers to increase performance of their students' early literacy skills, measured on the state reading assessment and approved literacy screener. The coaches will facilitate learning aligned to science of reading research and provide technical assistance to teachers that will improve implementation of aligned practices into daily literacy instruction and intervention. This work includes the integration of the Arizona's English Language Arts (ELA) Standards and Arizona's Early Learning Language and Literacy Standards, locally determined literacy curricula and intervention programs, and use of data collected from the administration of formal and informal assessment tools.The Foundational Literacy Coach is responsible for assisting teachers in the implementation and effective delivery of scientifically based reading instruction with a focus on Tier 1/Core. Coaches will provide appropriate services to their assigned school for a cohesive, sustained, intensive, and classroom focused approach that is rigorous, engaging, and relevant for students. Literacy coaches will provide a non-threatening, open, professional, and collaborative work relationship with district/charter-level school personnel, other school-based coaches, principals, and teachers. They will be required to use data to effectively identify the needs of the assigned school to prioritize, schedule, organize, and provide technical assistance that builds educator capacity to provide effective literacy instruction so that students meet age and grade level literacy expectations by the end of 3rd grade and beyond.Major Responsibilities:Responsibilities of the foundational literacy coach include building the capacity of pre-k-3rd grade classroom teachers, ESS teachers, and reading interventionists in reflective practice focused on improving reading instruction/student achievement in following ways:Provide information and training to teachers in a variety of settings (e.g., whole group staff development, grade level meetings, one-on-one)Model and co-teach instructional strategies and techniquesSupport teachers in implementation of new skills through instructional or facilitative coachingObserve new and experienced teachers in the classroom during the reading instructional tiers to provide specific one-on-one feedback regarding evidence-based practices to individual teachers during the coaching conferencing processAssist in planning and implementation of a 90 to 120-minute K-3 literacy block with an emphasis on phonemic awareness, phonics, comprehension, vocabulary, fluency, in addition to oral and written languageAssist in planning and implementation of developmentally appropriate pre-k literacy practices with an emphasis on language, emergent literacy and emergent writingProvide professional learning opportunities related to core and intervention instructionProvide resources, tools, and research for enhancing instructional practicesSupport teachers to deepen their understanding of content knowledge, evidencebased reading strategies, and how to use a variety of assessments to monitor student achievementSupport grade level teams in analyzing data and designing next steps for instructionMaintain records related to coaching cycles, professional development, and data related to early literacy screeningMeet with the school administration and leadership team on a regular basis to examine school data and assist in school-wide planning and implementation of meaningful literacy professional learning opportunitiesSupport the development of the MOWR literacy plan as a member of the school literacy teamEngage in reading data conversations with teachers and assisting in goal setting, data/evidence collection and analysis, instruction, and assessmentSupport teachers' collaborative work to plan reading lessons, small group differentiation, and interventionsAlign efforts to the school's mission, vision, and literacy plan as they coincide with current reading researchStay informed of latest reading researchBuild trusting and respectful relationshipsMaintain a high level of ethical behavior and confidentialityRecognize and celebrate accomplishments of all teachersContinue to build knowledge and understanding of evidence-based practices in early literacy and coachingNetwork with other literacy coachesKnowledge, Skill, and AbilityKnowledge:Knowledge of evidence-based research in the areas of reading, writing, listening, and speaking, and languageKnowledge of the essential components of reading instructionKnowledge of the science of reading and structured literacyKnowledge of the Move on When Reading (MOWR) legislationKnowledge of Arizona's English Language Arts (ELA) Standards and Arizona Early Learning Standards (AZELS)Knowledge of literacy assessment systems, practices, and typesKnowledge of effective strategies in working with adult learnersKnowledge of evidence-based practices in literacyKnowledge and experience in literacy instruction, literacy intervention, and development of and/or implementation of instructional literacy resourcesKnowledge of reading processes, acquisition, assessment, and instructionKnowledge of scientific reading research and its application to effective classroom instruction, structure, and practices, as well as interventionKnowledge of multi-tiered system of supports model, and data analysis and applicationSkills:Systematic, explicit, instructional deliveryExperience providing professional development and technical assistance directly to school and district/charter staffAbility to effectively prioritize, schedule, manage, and organize multiple daily tasks to achieve goalsAbility to administer and interpret reading assessments and use data to determine professional development needs, and recommend changes to improve school-wide and/or classroom instructional practicesAbility to rapidly acquire and apply new skills and informationAbility to provide effective instructional feedbackAbility to identify problems and develop appropriate solutionsUse effective written and oral communication skills, including the ability to engage in difficult and candid conversations with a variety of stakeholdersDemonstrated leadership/managerial skillsDemonstrated team building skillsDemonstrated collaboration and facilitation skillsAbilities:Motivating others to achieveHigh degree of professionalism to ensure and protect the confidentiality of educators and studentsStrong work ethic, self-directed and reliable, and the ability to work both independently and collaborativelyHigh quality interpersonal skills and the ability to relate to and interact with adults exhibiting a range of abilities and dispositionsPersistent despite obstaclesAbility to orchestrate changeValuing lifelong learningBelief that a coach can make a difference, despite the nature of the challengesDesire to grow professionallyLicenses/ CertificationsMaster's degree in education or related field with 3 years documented successful experience teaching reading OR bachelor's degree in education or related field with 5 years documented successful experience teaching reading with a minimum of 3 years of literacy experience at the State, District/Charter, or School LevelValid Arizona Teaching CertificateReading Endorsement or K-5 Literacy EndorsementPreferred and Additional Qualifications:Successful experience facilitating adult learning and delivering professional development specific to literacy instruction (e.g., professional development feedback / surveys, letters from participants, etc.)Experience mentoring, coaching, and providing feedback about instruction to classroom teachersExperience leading others in a collaborative processExperience analyzing and using student achievement data for instructional purposesAbility to travel occasionallyThis position is Grant Funded.