Literacy Specialist

Position Title: LITERACY SPECIALIST

Primary Purpose

The Literacy Specialist provides literacy intervention and enrichment instruction to students at designated grade levels and is responsible for content/curriculum support, coaching support, and professional development for faculty and staff in the area of literacy. Under the direction of the K-8 Literacy, Arts, Social-science, and Humanities (LASH) Coordinator, the literacy specialist coordinates instructional and assessment approaches within and among designated grade levels, and facilitates communication between the school and parent about literacy instruction.  

The focus of the position is student intervention and enrichment, curriculum and instructional leadership in literacy, alignment to state and national standards, program assessment, and professional development.  This work will be completed in conjunction with the principal, the K-8 LASH Coordinator, and the faculty.

Contractual Relationship

Functions in accordance with the provisions of the contract between the Lincoln School Committee and the Lincoln Educators Association.

Organizational Relationship

• Reports to the Principal of the school for discussion of teacher collaboration, literacy intervention and enrichment services, ordering instructional materials, supplies and equipment, faculty and staff coaching, and communicating with parents about literacy instruction. 

• Supervised by the K-8 LASH Coordinator for the coordination of curriculum and assessment, literacy intervention/enrichment, professional development activities, faculty and staff coaching, and the maintenance of K-8 curriculum/content articulation.

Responsibilities

The Literacy Specialist will:

• Provide Tier 2 and Tier 3 literacy intervention, reading instruction, and writing instruction to students.
• Work with the principal,  the K-8 LASH Coordinator, and faculty to define, articulate, and implement balanced, research-based best practice literacy instruction, intervention, and enrichment services at designated grade-levels;
• Provide literacy coaching support to faculty and staff, co-plan lessons with faculty, teach model lessons, and co-teach within general education classrooms;
• Meet with grade level teams to research, support and implement literacy programs, various instructional approaches that meet the needs of all learners, and assist in using curriculum resources;
• Under the direction of the K-8 LASH Coordinator, plan program development, coordinate curriculum implementation, and provide professional development at school-based and district-wide sessions;
• Assist with interpretation of assessment data (MCAS, common assessments, student work, etc.) and report school-based records of student assessment results; 
• Conduct and administer local and diagnostic data assessments of students as directed by the K-8 LASH Coordinator.
• In conjunction with the K-8 LASH Coordinator, faculty, and principal, support parent communication of the literacy program;
• Participate on interview teams with the principal and K-8 LASH Coordinator, as appropriate;
• Assume other related duties that the principal and the K-8 LASH Coordinator may deem necessary.

 Required Qualifications

• DESE Licensure as a Reading Specialist.
• Minimum seven (7) years experience as a classroom teacher.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Reading, Literacy, Reading Education, or Literacy Education.
• Familiarity with K-8 EL Education Literacy, Fundations, and Heggerty.
• Experience, coursework, or certification in instructional coaching.
• Coursework in curriculum development or instructional leadership.
• Prior experience as a Literacy Specialist, Reading Specialist, or Writing Interventionist.
• Evidence of continued professional development beyond the last degree awarded.

Lincoln, Massachusetts

Lincoln is a residential suburb located 12 miles northwest of Boston. Established in 1754, the town has a rich history dating to our country’s Revolutionary period and has maintained many of its early characteristics and traditions. The community places a high value on public education, open space, diversity, and community involvement.

The school system has a well-earned reputation for educational excellence, offering innovative, student-centered instruction in an inclusive setting with small class sizes. The district serves students PreK-8 at two schools: the PreK-8 Lincoln School, which serves Lincoln-resident families, Boston-resident families participating in the METCO program, and the children of staff members; and the PreK-8 Hanscom School, which serves military families living on the Hanscom Air Force Base.

Interest in Lincoln Public Schools

Our district’s core values are: excellence and innovation in teaching and learning, respect for every individual, and collaboration and community. We are excited to welcome new staff members who share those values, and who bring a range of prior experiences in education and in life. 

As a district, we ensure that applicants are employed, assigned, and promoted without regard to their age, race, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, active military/veteran status, disability, national origin, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, or housing status. We actively seek applications from a diverse range of candidates who share a common commitment to children and to maintaining a positive and collaborative culture.

You can learn more about the Lincoln Public Schools at https://www.lincnet.org/employment.