Literacy Coach/Reading and Language Arts Consultant

Workforce Diversity Statement

The Newington Public Schools is dedicated to recruiting, hiring, growing and retaining a culturally diverse workforce that represents the racial, ethnic, and linguistic diversity of our community - to challenge student achievement and realize equity for all in our schools. To achieve this, we value and strive for the highest levels of:

• Family and Community Engagement;
• Culturally Relevant Organizational Practices;
• School Climate;
• Student-Centered Learning;
• Diverse Staff of Excellent Educators
• Equitable Student Access; and
• Fiscal Equity
  
  

We are interested in candidates who are passionate around these values; candidates who represent the racial, ethnic, and linguistic diversity of our community; and candidates who will engage fully in our continuous improvement efforts to achieve equity for all.

Job Description

As a Literacy Coach/Reading Consultant, you will be responsible for providing essential instructional guidance to the principal while engaging in collaborative coaching cycles and job-embedded professional learning with teachers. Your role is deeply rooted in evidence-based practice, requiring you to facilitate action research and inquiry cycles within professional learning communities to improve school-wide literacy. Beyond administrative and peer support, you will remain a direct resource for student success by pushing in to support those with reading difficulties, when needed. This role requires, but is not inclusive of the following essential job functions.

Essential Job Functions

The following statements of duties and responsibilities are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. These statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required of all personnel within this position.

Instructional Leadership & Coaching

The Literacy Coach acts as a bridge between administration and classroom execution:

• Support for the Principal: Serves as a primary resource person to the principal to coordinate the school's total reading and language arts program.
• Collaborative Coaching Cycles: Provides leadership and guidance to classroom teachers by introducing and demonstrating new materials, research-based literature, and multi-media approaches.
• Job-Embedded Professional Learning: Motivates staff to improve competencies through direct support. This includes scheduling and conducting classroom observations to supervise teachers' techniques and ensure the curriculum is fully implemented.
  
  

Teacher & Interventionist Support

This role functions as a central hub for literacy expertise:

• Resource Management: Serves as a resource for recommending, selecting, and evaluating textbooks, equipment, and teaching materials.
• Data-Driven Support: Collects, organizes, and reports data regarding the impact of specific interventions on student achievement to assist staff in refining their approach.
• Professional Development: Plans and participates in professional development programs for both veteran teachers and student teachers.
  
  

Direct Student Intervention (Push-in Support)

In addition to coaching, the role involves direct "hands-on" work with students:

• Diagnosis: Identifies and diagnoses specific reading difficulties through individual or group diagnostic and standardized tests.
• Targeted Support: Conducts corrective and remedial classes for selected groups of students based on their specific needs.
• Program Coordination: Manages remedial, corrective, and developmental programs to ensure students needing literacy support are reached.
  
  

Research & Inquiry Cycles (PLCs)

The Role Emphasizes Continuous Improvement Through Evidence-based Practice

• Action Research: Initiates and coordinates action research and experimentation to improve literacy instruction.
• Inquiry: Works closely with administrators and teachers to evaluate the instructional program and align it with district improvement efforts.
  
  

Curriculum Development

The Literacy Coach is deeply involved in the creation and maintenance of instructional standards:

• Curriculum Writing: Responsible for developing, revising, and updating the reading curriculum based on modern design concepts.
• Alignment: Ensures that instructional methods and curricular content align with the Reading Curriculum Guide and administrative directives.
  
  

Communication & Community Outreach

Acting As a Liaison For The Literacy Program

• Parental Engagement: Interprets the reading program for parents and the public.
• Conferences: Holds conferences with parents, teachers, and specialists to discuss student progress.
• Home Support: Plans self-help programs to help parents reinforce reading skills at home and provides enrichment suggestions for high-achieving students.
  
  

Required Minimum Qualifications

Experience/Requirement: Graduation from an accredited college with a Bachelor's Degree.

License Or Certificate

Connecticut State Department of Education required:

• (005) Elementary AND
• (102) Remedial Reading & Remedial Language Arts OR (097) Reading and Language Arts Consultant
  
  

Note:The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task or responsibility.